The van is less than 3 years old but has well over 36,000 miles on it, so it is off warranty. The passanger seat is rarely used but the air bag light on the passanger side came on indicating air bag mal-function. The dealer wants $350 plus possible higher charge if difficulty arises in replacing the sensor. This is really a non-wear item.
The worst 2012 GMC Savana problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags2
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags2
- Visibility1
Recalls 7
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
Recall number 23V247000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1‑866‑441‑9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Recall number 18V267000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
- Risk
- A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
Recall number 14V500000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
Recall number 14V117000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
- Risk
- A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1‑800‑353‑3867.
Recall number 13V225000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman
- What is wrong
- General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and suburban vehicles, and gmc savana and yukon xl heavy duty vehicles. The steering gear pitman shaft may not have been adequately hardened and could fracture.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, a loss of steering could result, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear and, if necessary, replace the steering gear pitman shaft. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on april 4, 2012.
Recall number 12V112000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and gmc savana vehicles manufactured from june 2, 2011, through october 17, 2011. The second stage of the dual-stage air bag will not inflate in a severe frontal impact. Accordingly, the air bags fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
- Risk
- An improperly deployed air bag will increase the risk of injury to the occupant.
- Remedy
- Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a new front passenger air bag free of charge. The safety recall began on november 29, 2011. Owners may contact gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020.
Recall number 11V543000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 GMC Savana 1,783
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax...
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
2012 GMC Savana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 17-18 | 14-15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | AWD | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| 6.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 10-11 | 14-16 | 12-13 |
| 4.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 17 | 13 |
What 2012 GMC Savana owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc savana. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v117000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 10/23/14
The drivers side window motor no longer functions.
Compare the 2012 GMC Savana
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Questions about the 2012 GMC Savana
Is the 2012 GMC Savana reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2012 GMC Savana, close to a typical Savana model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 GMC Savana?
Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is visibility (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Savana have?
7 recalls, covering electrical system, equipment and fuel system, other.
Was there a recall on the 2012 GMC Savana airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 14V117000, 11V543000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Savana get?
Official estimates for the 2012 GMC Savana range from 12 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 20 highway.
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