2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

My husband picked me up from work in [XXX] we went over a very icy bridge the truck spun around and hit the guard rail on the bridge the airbags popped and broke two of my ribs I went to the hospital it was very painful I had to lose out on several days of work. I have pictures of the airbag the one that popped on me appears to be…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her son was driving at low speeds during snow weather, the driver-side air bag deployed on its own without a crash or impact with an object. As a result, the driver lost visibility and control of the vehicle resulting in a crashing into a telephone pole and then a…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 200,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (38).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was significantly rusted, and the contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the frame was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the frame needed to be replaced; however, the repair…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 139,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the Walmart Tire Center for tire replacement, the contact was informed that the tires could not be replaced. The contact was informed that the front driver's side frame was corroded and had holes. The contact was advised to stop driving the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 181,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have a severe engine stall at slight acceleration it feels like the tires are going to lock up or break something in the drive train dealer says my complaint is normalOwner complaint, filed 2025

Oil consumption on 2011 to 2014 Chevy Silverado engine related issues on the 5.3 liter v8 flex fuel engine. Vehicle produced a service engine soon light on 9/27/2022 so I took it to the local Chevy dealer mechanic. They inspect it and determine that it was a misfire in cylinder 7. They went to run it through my warranty that I purchased…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the vehicle veered to the left independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 125,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 192,006 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was being registered with the Department of Motor Vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was approximately 141,000 and at the time of registration, it was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 230,925 miles

Moving on highway 60mph and vehicle shut down with no warning. Vehicle had been driven to several locations previously and showed no difficulties in starting or unusual symptoms while running. Aaa towing service got truck to my home. Will not crank or start. It would not take a jump from aaa towing before they loaded it onto their truck.…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 89,775 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving down interstate my transmission just went out down shifted almost causing someone to hit me from behind after some research I learned gmc vehicles have been having this problem for the last 10 years but yet keep using the same transmissions it's not right the money they selling these vehicles for and we the little people…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission disengaged upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle then went into limp mode. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle home. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 119,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Excessive corrosion to chassis frame. Internet links state there was a frame recall for the 2012 chevy silverado pickup because gm did not treat the chassis frame during manufacturing.Owner complaint, filed 2022

The steel in the rear leaf springs suddenly broke in half (under no load). It happened twice - in the left rear leaf springs in ~2016 (~3 years of age), and again in the right rear leaf springs last week (2018). This is not even a mechanical device - just a passive heavy gauge piece of steel. The vehicle is very light use, and in both…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 100,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v017000 (tires); however, the parts to the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The contact took the tires to the local harbor freight store and was informed that the [VIN] tires were not…Owner complaint, filed 2018

The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the four aluminum wheels cracked. The dealer was contacted (rancho motor company, victorville, ca, 760-955-8200) and stated that there was no recall. The [VIN] was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 70,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The low beam head lights constantly goes out. I have to shake or wiggle them to get them to work sometimes. Finally, they will stop working all together after a few days. The lights most of the time will not come on after the truck has been switched off and I start it up and the lights will not come back on.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 75,000 miles

Both head lights randomly go out while driving in the city, highway, country road, turning, regardless of the weather. . Sometimes only one headlight goes out other times both headlights go out at the same time. Yellow fog lights stay on . Bright lights will work and turn on. I have to pull over everytime this happens, open the hood of…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 150,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 140,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Fuel line at fuel pump corroded causing fuel to leak under pressure from fuel pump. Fire hazard. Mechanic also stated during repair the truck frame cross member was rusted through in a large section approximately 2”x 24”. No warning indicated by vehicle. Chevrolet trucks should be recalled for this issueOwner complaint, filed 2022

I have a 2012 silverado that had an engine light go on. Took to the dealer (carbone chevy, yorkville ny) the problem was an air leak in the fuel system. The fix, replace gas tank and sending unit, $900. I asked about the warranty, and I was told past mileage, I'm at 39000. I didn't believe this could be possible that a 4-year-old truck…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 39,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 7,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The [VIN] was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 1,000 miles

When you try to accelerate, the truck does not respond. The truck acceleration feels like their is a flat spot in the acceleration. This is very dangerous. Several of my family members have almost gotten in terrible t-bone accidents due to this malfunction. Brought the truck to the local dealership & the said they replaced the throttle…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 600 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Electric power steering motor failed while driving. The failure happened at such a time that it did not cause loss of control or a collision. The repair has yet to be completed at a local GM dealer due to awaiting parts. The failure of the electric power steering motor while driving the vehicle poses a massive safety risk to occupants of…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Started leaking fluid under the front of truck mechanic checked it out and fluid was coming out of steering filling boot full of fluid seal gave out rapid steering shock at 46,000 miles on truck no warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2017

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

12/15/2020 - noticed 'service air bag' warning in morning as I pulled into parking for work. When leaving for lunch no warning on - as I pulled out of parking warning appeared again - as I leaned forward to read - loud 'bang' and was pulled back into seat by hard retraction of seatbelt. Followed by smell of burning. Parked car, struggled…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 50,513 miles

Rear head rests do not have a locking mechanism to keep them locked in place when raised. This allows the rear head rests to fall to the lowest position with very little force. General motors has stated that this is normal and within specifications. Owners are advised to inspect the rear head rests to determine for themselves whether…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 100 miles