GMC · Sierra · 2012
2
Recalls
29
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 GMC Sierra has 2 recalls and 29 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: structure:body (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
2012 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED, TRUCK SHUT OFF EXCEPT FOR THE LIGHTS. LOST POWERS STEERING, BRAKES ETC. ONCE I GOT THE TRUCK PULLED OVER AND STOPPED, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. WAS UNABLE TO DO SO UNTIL THE 4TH ATTEMPT DURING A 5 MINUTES TIME SPAN. ONCE STARTED, APPEARED TO BE RUNNING FINE EXCEPT FOR THE MIL ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WAS LIT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE ABLE TO BE REPLACED AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ *TR
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CRACK OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 50,000 MILES.
DASH CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
THE DASH THAT SUPPORTS THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKING AND COULD POSSIBLY PUNCTURE THE AIR BAG OR SEND PARTS OF THE DASH FLYING A OCCUPANTS DURING A COLLISION. BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS THE AIR BAG IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ABOVE THE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND MY PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK IS IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CLOSER TO THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES BUT IS JUST OUT OF THE 3 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY.
WHILE MOVING WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE SWITCHED OFF. BY DOING SO, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK, NOT ALLOWING TO STEER. THERE HAVE BEEN A SAFETY CONCERNS WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS, WHY NOT THIS MODEL? THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
FRAME COATING IS PEELING OFF THE BACK OF THE FRAME AND IN OTHER AREAS. EXCESSIVE RUST FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD IN A TEMPERATE CLIMATE. ONLY APPEARS TO BE AFFECTING FRAME COVERED WITH WAXY UNDERCOAT. VERY LITTLE RUST AND NO PEELING ON AREAS THAT HAVE OTHER PAINTS/COATINGS.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY DISCOVERED THE WIRES HAD BEEN CHEWED THROUGH. I READ THAT GM USES PEANUT OIL ON WIRES IN ORDER TO INSTALL THEM EASIER. LOOKS LIKE THIS ATTRACTED A MOUSE, SQUIRREL, CHIPMUNK, OR OTHER CREATURE AND IT CHEWED THE WIRES. LUCKILY IT DID NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE TRUCK BUT IT COULD HAVE LED TO A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. AND GM NEEDS TO CREATE SOME KIND OF ANIMAL REPELLANT TO SPRAY ON THE WIRES AFTER VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
I PURCHASED A 2012 GMC SIERRA DENALI FROM STAHL MOTORS IN MONTEREY, CA IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY SOLD ME A COMPLETELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE, WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN. MY TRUCK DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I WILL MENTION JUST THE MAIN ONES. THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT THE REAR BRAKES HOOKED UP. THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR CALIPERS WERE CAPPED OFF BY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN THE MECHANIC SHOP DISCOVERED THAT, THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY DRY, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BRAKES. THERE WAS NO CROSS MEMBER UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FROM FRAME TO FRAME. IT WAS TORCHED OUT, THEREFOR LEAVING ZERO SUPPORT FOR THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK AS WELL AS THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. WHICH NEEDED TO BE REBUILT CAUSED FROM EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT LEFT TO RIGHT. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REBUILT CAUSED FROM THE DAMAGE OF NO CROSS MEMBER IN PLACE. BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO AFFECTED (ABOUT TO POP OUT OF CONTROL ARMS) DUE TO WRONG PARTS INSTALLED IN FRONT SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE.
ENGINE WILL INCREASE IDLE FROM 700 TO 900 AT ANY TIME. ONE CAN BE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT MIGHT INCREASE OR DECREASE. I PULL A 5TH WHEEL (35 FEET) AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP WITH THE ENGINE TRYING TO KEEP GOING. ALSO IT IS VERY SCARY TO STOP ON SLIPPERY ROADS. THIS DID NOT START UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS NORMAL, BUT I HAVE TALKED TO OWNERS OF THE GM DIESEL FROM MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2015 AND NONE OF THEM HAVE THIS CONDITION. *TR
THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP CP4 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, US RT.20. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT TOWING A 16,000 LB. FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD.I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE TRUCK STEERING IT AND BRINGING IT TO A CONTROLLED STOP. I HAVE READ ABOUT THESE PUMPS FAILING ON NUMEROUS DIESEL FORD AND GM TRUCKS. I ALSO FEEL IF A WOMAN OR SMALL PERSON HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM THE OUTCOME COULD END IN LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN INJURIES EVEN DEATHS. THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PUMPS THAT HAVE FAILED IS THE MANUFACTURERS, WHO WILL NOT SHARE THAT INFORMATION WILLINGLY. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND SAFETY BELT CHIME STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,274. UPDATED 10/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. UPDATED 3/9/15 *JS
PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING NO MORE THAN 3 MILES PER HOUR, OR HOWEVER FAST THIS VEHICLE CAN GO WHILE FOOT IS RESTING ON BRAKE, GETTING READY TO FULLY BRAKE. AS I PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SLIPPED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO DRIVE FORWARD CRASHING THROUGH THE SHEETROCK WALL AND FINALLY STOPPING AFTER HITTING THE GLASS WINDOWS. TWO WEEKS LATER, AFTER ALL COSMETIC REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING IN ANOTHER PARKING LOT, BUT LUCKILY BROKE BEFORE HITTING THE CURB AND LIGHT POST. I DID FEEL UNDER MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE, AS I PRESSED DOWN TO STOP, A SLIP OF SOME SORT WHICH AT THE SAME TIME CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PUSH FORWARD RIGHT BEFORE STOPPING. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MALFUNCTION OF SOME SORT WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR
PASSANGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UPON CLOSING OF THE DOOR. DOOR HANDLE PULL CLEAR FROM THE DOOR. WINDOW CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN AND INTERNAL DOOR HANDLE IS INOPERABLE. *JS
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2012 GMC Sierra has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 29 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra.
The 2012 GMC Sierra received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 GMC Sierra are structure:body (5 reports), electrical system (4 reports), air bags (4 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2012 GMC Sierra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.