Home · 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 · Complaints

What 38 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500

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 (38)Crash / fire / injury (6)Electrical system (9)Engine (8)Body & structure (6)Airbags (5)Brakes (5)Transmission & drivetrain (5)Steering (3)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2)Fuel System, Diesel (2)Speed control (2)

Newest first · 38 complaints · page 1 of 2

Jan 8, 2026Airbags

Our Dash board cracked very badly from the top next to the speaker to the passenger side air bag. We purposely use a dash board cover and never place heavy things on it. This is a safety issue as if getting in an accident wouldn’t be bad enough flying shrapnel would be worse. We just had it fixed at a dealership to the tune of $2500. This is not okay as I see this is a constant problem.

NHTSA ODI 11709666

Mar 3, 2022Electrical systemBrakes

The service brakes lights has come on a d disabled my brake controller. This is a safety issue while towing and completely unacceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11455127

Jun 4, 2021Airbags

2012 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.

NHTSA ODI 11419608

Oct 11, 2017

THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD WHILE IN REGENERATION MODE FUNNELS EXHAUST DIRECTLY INTO THE CAB THROUGH THE VENTS. WHILE GM RECOGNIZED THIS AS A FLAW AND CAME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT, THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR IT IN A 5 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WINDOW. HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION?

NHTSA ODI 11032885

Feb 7, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. WHILE GOING UP A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR WHILE GOING 60 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES (THEY HAVE IT ON FILE) THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY UNDERSTAND BUT SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10949976

Apr 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

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.

NHTSA ODI 10854466

Mar 30, 2016

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.

NHTSA ODI 10852392

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

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 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

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 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

Feb 6, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD TO HIGHER GEAR. THIS STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10681860

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

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

Jul 2, 2014Fuel System, Diesel

DRIVING FROM GM DEALER FOR TWO MILES CHANGE FUEL FILTER MESSAGE APPEARED AND ENGINE DIED. TOWED TO A DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A HIGH PRESSURE INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE WITH METAL CONTAMINATION TO FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND A BULLETIN DATED 2009 FROM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS. THIS JOINT STATEMENT HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUEL USED IN THE USA THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF AND MAY HAVE AVOIDED THIS FAILURE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AS I USE MY TRUCK FOR WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10607796

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Working with the data? Download all 38 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 3500 verdict →