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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-CHEVROLET-SILVERADONHTSA data synced 12 hours ago
Chevrolet
2012 Chevrolet Silverado problems
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado has 284 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado has 284 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 70 complaints (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Chevrolet Silverado owner complaints by model year
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Silverado?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Silverado? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 70 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
body — 36 owner reports
· ~$1,500 to fix
engine — 21 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 19 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Silverado· airbags
My air bad light is on and my horn does not work. I called gm customer service. They said there was no recalls on my truck. She then told me I had to take my truck in to see if it has a recall. I ask her which is it, is there a recall or not? She said no recall but I had to go…
Engine using 1 to 2 quarts of oil each oil change (I do check level at time of each gas refueling) this problem was documented at the service department, tom tepe auto center, Chevrolet dealer in milan, indiana dennis murphy manager812-654-3001 milage in at the time was…
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked. The fire was extinguished by a fire department. A police/fire report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and the…
The dashboard cracked around the air bag on the passenger side and behind the steering while. I'm guessing it happened over night I dont know exactly. One morning I got in my truck noticed the crack around airbag and weeks later the one behind the steering wheel.
Had a problem with your 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6
If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 70 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 284 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 70 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 284 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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