2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 216
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2012
Opened by NHTSA
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 216 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1997 | 555 |
| 1998 | 361 |
| 1999 | 587 |
| 2000 | 613 |
| 2001 | 468 |
| 2002 | 509 |
| 2003 | 805 |
| 2004 | 797 |
| 2005 | 525 |
| 2006 | 358 |
| 2007 | 849 |
| 2008 | 914 |
| 2009 | 444 |
| 2010 | 363 |
| 2011 | 563 |
| 2012 | 216 |
| 2013 | 301 |
| 2014 | 1,434 |
| 2015 | 1,105 |
| 2016 | 792 |
| 2017 | 712 |
| 2018 | 518 |
| 2019 | 1,077 |
| 2020 | 730 |
| 2021 | 827 |
| 2022 | 630 |
| 2023 | 381 |
| 2024 | 303 |
| 2025 | 97 |
| 2026 | 98 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
27% · 59 reportsShow complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-28
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-29
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-23
Structure
17% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing body and dashboard.
Show complaint excerpts
Frame and suspension components are complete rusted and rotting off of frame. I am afraid to drive the truck in fear of it falling apart on me while on the road.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-12
Engine
12% · 25 reportsShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-27
Electrical system
10% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing speedometer/odometer.
Show complaint excerpts
Driver's side low beam headlight goes out. The lightbulb is in good order. The pigtail shows signs of excessive heat/small fire, plastic melting, carbon in the metal contact on the lightbulb and socket.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-19
Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)
Power train
5% · 10 reportsSafety timeline
2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2021-05-11Air bags21V051000 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...
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.
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2021-05-11Air bags21V054000 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...
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.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 59 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 36 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 25 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 21V051000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V054000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.