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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 216 safety complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 59 complaints, 27% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 75,000 miles, the median across the 122 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2016 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

216 complaints on file

216

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

6

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 73 · 34%
AIR BAGS 59 · 27%
STRUCTURE 35 · 16%
ENGINE 25 · 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 · 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 10 · 5%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 5%
SUSPENSION 9 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 · 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 · 2%
STEERING 4 · 2%
0 31 62

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 216.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 38.

40 30 20 10
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test PU/CC 4WD PU/CC RWD PU/EC 4WD PU/EC RWD PU/RC 4WD PU/RC RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 18.5% 19.1% 18.5% 19.1% 18.5% 19.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V054000 · February 5, 2021

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

General Motors, LLC · up to 1,778,128 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V051000 · February 5, 2021

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

General Motors, LLC · up to 284,645 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

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 March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 7,700 miles

I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AFTER STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN. I WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE DIVIDED INTERSECTION THAT HAD A ROAD CLOSED SIGN FOR THE EXIT SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION AND A DO NOT ENTER SIGN FOR THE ENTRANCE SIDE. THE MEDIAN WAS OVER GROWN WITH VEGETATION SO THAT VISIBILITY WAS POOR. I STARTED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH A CAR ENTERING AT FAST RATE OF SPEED HIT THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK KNOCKING TO THE LEFT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I WAS THROWN TO THE RIGHT AND THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL SPEED. THE TRUCK HIT A PALM TREE.

NHTSA complaint 11090438. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 75,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A GULLY BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED VARIOUS BODY CONTUSIONS AND BRUISES DURING THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint 11243837. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 35,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS KNEES, ELBOW AND RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB

NHTSA complaint 10876246. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 50,000 miles

TTHIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN 3 SEPARATE ACCIDENTS, 1ST ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK CAUSING THE ACCIDENT; 2ND A DRIVER FELL ASLEEP WITH HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND REAR ENDED ME AT ABOUT 90 MPH; 3RD AN OUT STATE DRIVER REAR ENDED MY SON'S CAR WHICH WAS FORCED INTO THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. THE 3 ACCIDENTS WERE SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME TYPE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BUT THERE WAS NOT. I NOTIFIED GM IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 1ST ACCIDENT ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. I SHOULD MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE DUE THE HARSHNESS OF THE ACCIDENT. ALL THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT GM NEVER ANSWERED ME NOR TOOK ANY ACTION TO

NHTSA complaint 11399221, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash

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 orange. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11760233. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Severe frame rot on driver side beneath the cab. Just noticed it today July 13, 2026.

NHTSA complaint 11750169. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I noticed the gas tank was listing to one end and not level. I noticed one of the tank straps had rusted away and I took the truck to a mechanic to replace the strap. The mechanic showed me that practically the majority of the frame was rusted away. There was nothing substantial enough for the straps to attach to. Are there many cases of the frame disintegrating on this model truck. I would be satisfied if the frame was replaced as I believe the manufacturer failed in protecting these frames from rusting away. I have been looking for a frame for a reasonable price and have not found one yet. I will also need someone to remove the old one and install the new one. I have not driven the truck

NHTSA complaint 11747867, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

146,250 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and stopping at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the accelerator pedal became stuck, and the engine unexpectedly revved to 5,000 RPM. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failed to release. The brake pedal was depressed several times within 15 seconds, and the engine stopped revving. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,250.

NHTSA complaint 11733013. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

230,925 miles

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 discovered that the mileage was approximately 230,925.

NHTSA complaint 11716826. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dash is cracked in several places

NHTSA complaint 11711791. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 103 3 —
2025 102 0 —
2024 311 2 —
2023 384 3 —
2022 633 6 —
2021 829 8 —
2020 732 12 —
2019 1,085 10 —
2018 520 7 1
2017 712 7 —
2016 794 12 1
2015 1,107 11 1
2014 1,436 6 4
2013 301 2 —
2011 563 4 1
2010 363 3 —

Other 2012 Chevrolet models

Malibu 907 Cruze 865 Equinox 685 Sonic 354 Traverse 354 Impala 258 Volt 245 Tahoe 178

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst