2012 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. Part of Generation 2 (GMT900) — 2007–2013.

20112013
Complaints
91
per 10K Sold
2.0
US Sales
450,609
Crashes
13
Fires
7
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2012 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#115 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:52,038 mi
Crash-related:2
#211 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:17,172 mi
Crash-related:4
#310 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:33,579 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado.

Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
52,038
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
17,172
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,579
Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
32,517
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
11,355
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
26,908
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~93,925 vehicles.

14V827000Electrical System:ignition
~84,192 affected

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.

13V615000Diesel Fuel System
~9,733 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Silverado Years

2012 Chevrolet Silverado — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado has 91 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Top reported problems: Airbags (15 complaints, avg 52,038 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints, avg 17,172 mi); Body Structure (10 complaints, avg 33,579 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 32,153 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado include 13 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 93,925 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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