2012 GMC Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls

2012 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (3)

• Recall 21V054000Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

  Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

• Recall 21V051000Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

  Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

• Recall 18V267000Apr 26, 20186,154 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

  Pedestrian alert sounds

  NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

• EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

  Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

Recent 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Aug 11, 2026NMBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   June 29, 2025, Driving on the St. Francis loop in Amarillo, TX, brake lights start flashing, the warning sounds happening, no brakes. I had already slowed down to 35-45 mph due to road construction ahead. I weaved through the cones and as soon as possible, hit the ditch and then coasted to a stop. (I didn’t think about the emergency brake, in my panic.) I turned the vehicle off and called my husband. I decided that I wasn’t pulled over far enough over in the ditch, so I…

   NHTSA complaint #11756257 · source
2. Filed May 22, 2026WVOther / UnknownSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able…

   NHTSA complaint #11739589 · source
3. Filed Jan 15, 202620,000 miMNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, especially between second and third gears. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the engine felt as though the engine mounts were inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle resumed…

   NHTSA complaint #11711216 · source
4. Filed Aug 21, 2025243,000 miSCElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 243,000. The Carfax Report indicated that the vehicle was serviced at 149,000 and 179,000 miles, then registered at 149,000 and 179,000 miles on August 8, 2024. The contact had filed…

   NHTSA complaint #11682085 · source
5. Filed Apr 3, 2025WVElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   P0521 has been addressed/replaced almost nine (9) times. “Low Oil Pressure-Stop Engine” is another one that is not completely functional. The truck is using oil but we cant find evidence of leakage. Services performed at dealership or certified shop. Troubleshooting was performed, Im told. I cant vouch for the quality of the workmanship. This should not be an issue at this mileage 100,100 ohe hundred thousand miles and oil components going bad is not good. GMC has sold me a…

   NHTSA complaint #11652682 · source
6. Filed Jun 4, 2024312,000 miOKCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, she lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness, the contact discovered that the vehicle had crashed into two vehicles and that the driver's side air bag had deployed. The police and paramedics arrived at the scene; however, no one involved in the accident needed immediate medical assistance. A police report was filed. About a week after the accident, the contact stated that they began…

   NHTSA complaint #11592379 · source
7. Filed Dec 14, 2023NYBody & Structure

   Major major frame and wheel well rust , ever one I see is exactly the same , I live in upstate ny and yes we use salt but I've done a lot of research and the problem is country wide , please do some things this isn't right , I'm not trying to get a new free truck , just not get screwed out of the one I have cause it will fail inspection soon

   NHTSA complaint #11560212 · source
8. Filed Dec 12, 2023NYBody & StructureSuspension

   I went to get the vehicle inspected today and was told it failed due to the chassis frame in the rear being rusted thru. This could cause the suspension to collapse any time. I see on the internet that multiple others have and are experiencing the same with the Sierra and Silverado. My vehicle has unlimited washes and has been washed 40 times a year and looks new from the outside.

   NHTSA complaint #11559780 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology