The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated he purchased the vehicle at a used dealer on March 13, 2023, and the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the traction control sensor, and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used dealer on 3 different occasions and had the anti-lock braking systems (ABS) sensor replaced and inspected the brakes. The dealer stated no failure was found when inspecting the vehicle. The contact stated while approaching an intersection another vehicle made a left turn and intercepted in his lane on the right side, he depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop or slow down the vehicle, causing it to crash into the other vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle continued moving forward while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a building and stopped the vehicle. The contact states the front driver side air bag deployed. The contact sustained leisure on his back muscles, had whiplash and leisure on the left side of his head and arm due to the air bag deployment. The contact stated he was taken to the hospital by ambulance to seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
The worst 2012 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags15
- Body14
- Transmission11
- Brakes9
- Engine6
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags15
- Body14
- Transmission11
- Brakes9
- Engine6
- Tires5
- Acceleration4
- Electrical4
- Suspension4
- Wheels4
- Lights3
- Seats2
- Steering2
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
Recalls 2
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
- Risk
- If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Recall number 14V827000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
- Risk
- If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.
Recall number 13V615000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 279
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
- This informational bulletin provides warranty policy information on revised wiring repair labor operations...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may...
- This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose...
- This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the part restriction for the...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a list of modules to check for...
2012 Chevrolet Silverado fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8‑cyl Hybrid | RWD | 20 | 23 | 21 |
| 6.0L 8‑cyl Hybrid | 4WD | 20 | 23 | 21 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 21-22 | 17-18 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 16 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 |
What 2012 Chevrolet Silverado owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V054000(AIR BAGS); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle the air bag warning indicator light illuminated The contact called OnStar who completed diagnostic testing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 126,625.
Dash cracked at corner dash above left side of passenger side airbag only 35k on vehicle 3.5 years old with use of sunshade half the time
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the passenger side of the dashboard was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000. The VIN was not available.
"takata recall", I have a crack in my dash that is located right next to passenger side airbag. This is a safety hazard because my dash will continue to crack that will cause my passenger side airbag to fail when it will be needed to protect passengers that ride in my vehicle. I have done a lot of research on this topic and general motors knows that this is happening and they won't do nothing to fix it. My vehicle was stationary in my driveway when I heard a loud pop noise which I notice that my dash had cracked.
At 34,162 miles the steering gear was binding, creating a safety problem. A steering gear should last longer than 34,162 miles.
Front side airbag sensor went bad
My 2012 silverado ls has 22,000 miles. It is a shame because it is a beautiful truck, but the frame looks terrible. It is not a little rust here and there. The rust is literally all over the frame. There is more of the frame with rust than without. The frame is very easy to see. Unfortunately for gm, my truck is a rolling billboard and the rust is getting worst every year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that when the vehicle drove over rough patches in road, the service air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be clean off and reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000. Updated 05/20/16*lj
Compare the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado
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Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, fewer than a typical Silverado model year.
What is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado year score?
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Airbags, with 15 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles. Next is body (14).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and fuel system, diesel.
What year does the Chevrolet Silverado have bad airbags?
The Chevrolet Silverado model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (62 complaints), 2000 (53 complaints) and 2001 (48 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado range from 15 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (6.0L 8-cyl hybrid, RWD) gets 20 city and 23 highway.
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