NHTSA & EPA data · updated October 21, 2026

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls, problems & safety ratings

Quick answer

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 284 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are unknown or other (78), air bags (74), structure (49). It earned a 4-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is about 21 mpg combined.

The 2012 ranks #2 of 14 Silverado 1500 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (693). It has 2 recalls vs. an average of 6.3 per model year.

Free. Shows whether a recall applies, plus specs, problems and ratings for your exact vehicle.

Recalls 2

Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator moduleNHTSA #21V054000 · 02/05/2021

Problem: 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 states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator moduleNHTSA #21V051000 · 02/05/2021

Problem: 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 ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

Common problems

From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.

Most-reported problem areas

Unknown or other78
Air bags74
Structure49
Engine31
Electrical system25
Power train21
Service brakes18
Suspension13

By the numbers

284owner complaints filed
16involved a crash
5involved a fire
14injuries reported

Recent owner reports

08/28/2026 · Air bags

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 days of work. I have pictures of the airbag the one that popped on me appears to be orange. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…

07/13/2026 · Unknown or other

Severe frame rot on driver side beneath the cab. Just noticed it today July 13, 2026.

07/02/2026 · Unknown or other

I noticed the gas tank was listing to one end and not level. I noticed one of the tank straps had rusted away and I took the truck to a mechanic to replace the strap. The mechanic showed me that practically the majority of the frame was rusted away. There was nothing substantial enough for the straps to attach to. Are there many cases of the frame disintegrating on this model t…

Safety ratings

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD

Auto (variable gear ratios) · 8 cyl · 6.0 L

20city
23hwy
21combined

Regular

Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD

Auto (variable gear ratios) · 8 cyl · 6.0 L

20city
23hwy
21combined

Regular

Other model years

Compare every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year

Questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most recently for air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module (02/05/2021). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Based on 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are unknown or other (78), air bags (74), structure (49).

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safe?

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned a 4-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.

Is the 2012 a good year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The 2012 ranks #2 of 14 Silverado 1500 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (693). It has 2 recalls vs. an average of 6.3 per model year.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 get?

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is EPA-rated at about 21 mpg combined.

Own a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in South Carolina?

Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.

Related vehicles

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: SILVERADO 1500, SILVERADO 1500 HYBRID, Silverado 1500.

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