Illustration2012 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.
2012 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
925–50K
650–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
27 reports with mileage · 2 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
29 reportsWHILE 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 …
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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.
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.
DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
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 WA…
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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.
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 …
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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
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 INDEPEN…
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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.
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.
DASH CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG MODULE
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.
Official recalls
214V827000 · Electrical System:ignition
Dec 30, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
13V615000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Dec 11, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.