This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to apply dielectric grease and a piece of adhesive shim stock to the steering angle sensor connector to correct a condition of service stabilitak message displayed in DIC and DTC C0455 or C0710
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 GMC Sierra steering problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 7 steering complaints filed for the 2012 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a steering wheel vibration. Some customers may be looking to add steering stabilizer. Technician may find that a steering stabilizer is listed in the parts catalog group but is not intended to address vibrations or brake pulsations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an instrument panel backlighting flashes, flickers or inoperative, unwanted horn activation, radio controls inoperative or unwanted activation, OnStar unwanted activation, and cruise control inoperative. Technician should inspect for a short to ground on the steering wheel near the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint coil connector X2 and make necessary repairs to any shorted circuits and then position the wiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the installation of Cruise Control on a vehicle which did not come equipped with the option. Technician will need to contact the Techline Customer Support Center to determine if a calibration is available for the vehicle. If they are able to provide a calibration for the vehicle then order steering wheel with cruise control buttons, steering wheel sir coil, and steering column wiring harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I have goodyear wrangler sr-a 265 60r20 tires on my sierra denali hd 2500. I was on the way back from nc via I-95 and pulled over so my wife could nurse our 3 week old. Me and the boys went in k-mart for a few minutes. Upon returning and getting back on the road, I noticed my car was pulling bad right and the steering wheel was shaking very badly. I managed to drive it the additional 30 miles…
Loss of steering control (three episodes) : 13 nov 2012, while exiting nb I-95 onto eb route 214 in landover, md, my steering wheel locked. My speed at the time was approximately 50 MPH. I was able to brake rapidly as the ramp began to straighten from it's sweeping right curve. The locked steering was forcing me onto the right shoulder. Luckily I was able to stop my truck on the right…
2012 GMC denali. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering problems. *smd the consumer noticed a very bad problem with the steering whenever he slowed down to turn, he would loose control over the ability to turn. The wheel locked down when he applied the brake and tried to turn at the same time. He was not able to turn until he pressed on the accelerator or released the brake. The…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 58,797 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.