2012 GMC SIERRA 1500

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    26 unsafe

    26
    incidents
    Typical range: 30,000–60,000 mi

    Median 50,000 mi, based on 31 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "$17,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE ON MY GMC ALL AIRBAGS WENT OFF MINUS THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG. WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MILES PER HOUR FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL RAN INTO THE BARRIER WIRES. DAMAGE ALL OVER THE TRUCK 360UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK LUCKILY NOBODY WAS…"~1,600 mi, complaint #1363389
    • "THE DASH IS CRACKED, THERE ARE TWO CRACKS WHERE THE AIR-BAG IS, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR-BAG. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND INVOLVES SEVERAL MODELS AND SEVERAL YEARS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO GENERAL MOTORS AND…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1362350
    • "TAKATA RECALL: A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE DASH LEADING TO THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE! MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY AFFECT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, AND OR CAUSE PIECES OF DASH TO BECOME SHRAPNEL!"~50,400 mi, complaint #1339923
    • "DASH CRACKED TOP LEFT CORNER WHERE AIR BAG FITS INTO THE DASH"~73,900 mi, complaint #1460436
    • "SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. WHILE DRIVING."~219,000 mi, complaint #1708430
  2. #2

    interior trim

    9 unsafe, 3 broken, 3 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 73,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DASH CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE AIR BAG. IT CRACKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND WAS RUNNING TO HEAT THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEATER AND DEFROST. INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WAS SET TO 75, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 35. DASH CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE AIR BAG…"~44,500 mi, complaint #1431705
    • "GOT IN THE TRUCK A YEAR AGO AND NOTICED A CRACK IN MY DASH ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICE 2 MORE CRACKS BOTH BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS HAPPENED AT AROUND 55,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME I NOTICED THE…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1513106
    • "DASHBOARD CRACKED OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AIRBAG SIDE. "~73,000 mi, complaint #1313572
    • "DASH CRACKED NEXT TO AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 37 NORTH OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TX."~90,602 mi, complaint #1530907
    • "THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. THESE CRACKS HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED. ONE IS BY THE AIRBAG COVER, THE OTHER IS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HOOD."~94,000 mi, complaint #1709553
  3. #3

    corrosion and rust

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that during a vehicle inspection, the contact was informed that the sub frame was severely corroded with holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the sub frame need…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1943895
    • "The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated repairs, it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced due to rust. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic…"~129,181 mi, complaint #1872125
  4. #4

    instrument cluster

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE DASH IS CRACK AROUND AIRBAG WITH 16000 MILES ON TRUCK"~16,000 mi, complaint #1318603
    • "THE DASH HAS CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND ANOTHER CRACK HAS FORMED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON THE DRIVER SIDE. BOTH CRACKS HAVE FORMED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS BEGINNING WITH THE ONE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE TRUCK IS IN GR…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1526554
    • "THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND I'M NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS."~80,000 mi, complaint #1333778
  5. #5

    other

    3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "DASH CRACKS ON ALL GM VEHICLE TRUCKS AND SUVS"~36,000 mi, complaint #1458402
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it…"~243,000 mi, complaint #2122646
  6. #6

    engine internal

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "MY ENGINE HAS A TICK,,BROUGHT IT TO A SHOP HE TOLD ME LIFTERS AND ITS EXPENSIVE...WENT TO DEALER,,, TOLD ME I NEED LIFTERS 2600.00 TO FIX IT AND APPARENTLY MY LIFTER ISN'T GETTING OIL IN IT , "FROM ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT" WITH I HAVE READ ALL OVER INTERNET T…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1461372
    • "ON 26MAR2017 I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 27MAR2017 AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW FLYWHEEL. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A FLYWHEEL GOING BAD IN MY LIFE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A FEW M…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1369334
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THINKING THAT IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND UPLIFTERS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1291959
  7. #7

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK COMPLETELY OFF MAKING THE DOOR UN OPEN ABLE."~62,000 mi, complaint #1430477
    • "THE DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. AFTER REACHING DOWN TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THE METAL ATTACHED TO THE HANDLE SNAPPED OFF AND I WAS LEFT HOLDING THE PLASTIC HANDLE AND UNABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE METAL IS MADE FROM A BIME…"~65,185 mi, complaint #1378111
    • "PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE SOMEHOW BECAME DISENGAGED AND JUST FULLS OUT LOOSELY. HAVE TO GET IN AND OPEN FROM INSIDE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A PLASTIC HOOK ON THE HANDEL THAT MUST HAVE DISENGAGED FROM SOMETHING INSIDE THE DOOR. DOOR HARDLY GETS USED. IS THIS ACOVERED…"~68,667 mi, complaint #1507289
  8. #8

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, especially between second and third gears. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. In addi…"~20,000 mi, complaint #2166720
    • "TRANSMISSION SURGES WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED HARD AS IN TRYING TO ENGAGE KICKDOWN OR "PASSING GEAR". SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR, IT HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED AND HIGHER SPEEDS. DEPENDING ON SPEED, TRUCK JERKS SUDDENLY AND ALMOST STALLS OUT. SOMETIMES REAR TIRES CHIRP.SE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1684480
    • "WHEN VEHICLE STARTS MOVING FOREWARD FROM A DEAD STOP AND WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR THERE IS A HARD CLUNK.THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 15000 MILES.WHEN I BRING TO DEALER ,THEY WANT TO KEEP TRUCK ,LEAVING ME WITHOUT VEHICLE…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1463076
  9. #9

    brake hydraulics

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON COLD MORNING STARTS, FRONT BRAKE PADS WILL ENGAGE ROTOR, AND RELEASE VERY SLOWLY. THEN ON A TURN, FRONT PADS WILL ENGAGE, LOCK FOR A SHORT TIME, AND THEN SLOWLY RELEASE. SEEMS LIKE ENGINE HAS TO WARM UP BEFORE BRAKES ACT NORMAL. AFTER COLD MORNING STARTUP,…"~47,000 mi, complaint #1434967
  10. #10

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALL THE WAY TO WINDSHIELD, AND HAS CRACKED FROM WINDSHIELD TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER."~46,000 mi, complaint #1369328
    • "DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION (WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY) THE DASHBOARD ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CRACKED. IT IS ON THE BACK LEFT CORNER OF THE FRAMEWORK AROUND THE AIR BAG COVER ON THE WINDSHIELD SIDE. I DO NOT STORE ANYTHING ON TOP OF THE DA…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1346344
  11. #11

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CONNECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TO THE CONNECTOR, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO CONNECT. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO DISCONNECT FROM THE CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER W…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1302372
  12. #12

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70-75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost electrical power for 30 seconds. The traction warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that t…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1784040
    • "LEFT SIDE IMPACT SENSOR LOSES CONNECTIVITY FROM WIRES SHORTING OUT IN DRIVERS HINGE AREA. SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON."~150,000 mi, complaint #1719997
  13. #13

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RPM INCREASED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1670204
  14. #14

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SEWAGE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABIN FILTER FA…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1299939
  15. #15

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Lags when accelerating. Does not happen every time. Causes safety issues when in heavy traffic. The below date is when it started. It happens very regularly."complaint #1815231
  16. #16

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "P0521 has been addressed/replaced almost nine (9) times. “Low Oil Pressure-Stop Engine” is another one that is not completely functional. The truck is using oil but we cant find evidence of leakage. Services performed at dealership or certified shop. Troubl…"complaint #2080145
  17. #17

    engine stall or no start

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "STARTING ISSUES,IGNITION?DEALERSHIP CANT SEEM TO FIND PROBLEM?HAPPENS NOW AND THEN,SOMETIMES IT WILL START AND THEN TURN OFF.THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TOO START VEHICLE."complaint #1514263
  18. #18

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING THRU MY AIR VENTS WHILE MY VEHICLE IS RUNNING, PARTICULARLY WHILE I AM IDLING AND JUST AFTER ACCELERATION. MY MECHANIC STATED HE HAS REPAIRED SEVERAL OF THESE ISSUES ON OTHER GMC'S. THE PROBLEM IS THE TOP OF T…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1493428
  19. #19

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ENGINE REDUCED POWER, STABILITY CONTROL LOSS. TRUCK STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 2015 ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE S…"~132,689 mi, complaint #1447093
  20. #20

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGI…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1512837
  21. #21

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL CAME ON AND I TOOK IT BACK TO A GMC DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY COVERED IT. THE PROBLEM WAS THEY TOOK 9 DAYS TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I WAS OUT 9 DAYS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE.THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1418035
  22. #22

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ON A COUNTRY ROAD, IT STARTED TO PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO CORRECT BY STEERING TO THE LEFT. MY STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE FRONT WHEELS. ITHE STEERING SHAFT BECAME DISENGAGE FROM THE AXEL. I CRASHED INTO…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1696845
  23. #23

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED INDEPENDENTLY EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE V…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1455940
  24. #24

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TILTING TO ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE REAR SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (BAGLIER BUICK GMC, [REDACTED ADDRESS], BUTLER, PA 16001…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1447760
  25. #25

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK WITH ALL 4 TIRES GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S 265/70 R17 DOT NUMBER 4BT6 FDER 3411 ON AUGUST 19,2016. I HAVE HAD A SHAKY/BUMPY SENSATION SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK & THE TIRES ALWAYS WORE UNEVEN. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 47,541 AT THE TIM…"~60,440 mi, complaint #1357393
  26. #26

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Faulty Tire Pressure Management system. Looking for recalls or service bulletins. "complaint #1994672
  27. #27

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Spare tire fell off while parked. The bracket holding the tire in place failed. Significant corrosion present."complaint #1787211
  28. #28

    wiper and washer

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the windshield wipers, the windshield wipers only went up a couple of inches before they stopped working and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independen…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1776858

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for GMC SIERRA 1500 directly.