Home · 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd · Complaints

What 59 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (59)Crash / fire / injury (8)Airbags (12)Electrical system (11)Body & structure (10)Engine (8)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Fuel system (5)Brakes (4)Speed control (3)Steering (3)Suspension (3)

Newest first · 59 complaints · page 2 of 3

Mar 20, 2016

DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ODI 10850606

Mar 17, 2016Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 10850234

Feb 8, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHEN USING THE SNOW PLOW, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED AND THE HEAT DECREASED AS IF IT WERE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VOLTS DECREASED WHEN USING THE PLOW, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.

NHTSA ODI 10824851

Jan 7, 2016Body & structure

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

NHTSA ODI 10818603

Dec 29, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 10816873

Dec 16, 2015Electrical systemCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI 10810661

Nov 16, 2015

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.

NHTSA ODI 10790780

Nov 14, 2015Airbags

DASH CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG MODULE

NHTSA ODI 10790408

Nov 12, 2015

CRACKS IN THE DASH ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE STEERING WHEEL BY THE DOMED AREA

NHTSA ODI 10790052

Oct 27, 2015Airbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 10786479

Sep 17, 2015Body & structure

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.

NHTSA ODI 10764591

Sep 1, 2015SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainBrakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 10760875

Aug 20, 2015Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 10750195

Aug 7, 2015Body & structure

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.

NHTSA ODI 10746923

Jul 20, 2015Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500 EQUIPPED WITH PATHFINDER LT24575R16 TIRES, SIZE: 265/70R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,391. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10735348

Jul 2, 2015Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 10731725

Feb 7, 2015SteeringBrakesEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 10681960

Jan 22, 2015Electrical system

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 10678363

Dec 8, 2014Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 10662943

Oct 2, 2014AirbagsCrash4 injuries1 death

A MULTI-CAR COLLISION HAD OCCURRED AT A CONSIDERABLE SPEED. (SADLY A DRIVER HAD LOST A LIFE IN THIS ACCIDENT) THIS COLLISION ENTAILED A VERY LARGE COMMERCIAL TRUCK BEING HIT HEAD ON, BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.( THIS 2ND VEHICLE BEING A VAN) AFTER THIS SEVERE IMPACT WITH THE LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, (WHICH CREATED HEAVY DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE, REMOVING THE FRONT AXLE) THE VAN PROCEEDED BEING RICOCHET OFF THE LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, AROUND IT, BACK INTO MY ONCOMING LANE. THIS RESULTED IN A FRONTAL DRIVER IMPACT HEAD ON WITH THE OUT OF CONTROL VAN. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG OF MY VEHICLE PARTIALLY INFLATED, THEN RAPIDLY DEFLATED. THUS THE AIRBAG NEVER FULLY EMPLOYED,LEAVING ME NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. I AM ENDURING MANY ISSUES DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION, AND WISH THIS MATTER TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER, TO PROTECT ANYONE ELSE FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE MYSELF...UPDATED 10/07/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10640981

Jul 23, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

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

NHTSA ODI 10615633

Jul 10, 2014SteeringElectrical system

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

NHTSA ODI 10609567

May 19, 2014Visibility & wipersLatches & locks

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

NHTSA ODI 10592397

Mar 30, 2014Body & structureWheelsEngineFire

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT JUST WENT DEAD, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NO NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PLACE AND AT SOME POINT, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT PAID ME FOR MY LOSS BUT RATHER HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO INVESTIGATE ME PERSONALLY, LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT PAY. SO, I'VE BEEN MAKING TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. AS A RESULT, I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575697

Jan 4, 2014Body & structure1 injury

CHROME INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. CHROME PLATING IS COMING OFF AND IS SHARP. CUT MY FINGER OPENING THE DOOR. RESEMBLES A PAPER CUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING HANDLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10558434

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Working with the data? Download all 59 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd verdict →