The 2012 GMC Sierra has 2 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (7 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints29filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 14V827000 · Dec 30, 2014 · 84,192 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, diesel
NHTSA recall 13V615000 · Dec 11, 2013 · 9,733 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid
21mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid
21mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sierra C15 XFE 2WD FFV
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Sierra C15 2WD FFV
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sierra C15 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sierra K15 4WD FFV
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sierra C15 2WD FFV
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Sierra K15 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Sierra K15 4WD FFV
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Sierra C15 2WD FFV
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Sierra K15 4WD FFV
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Sierra K15 AWD FFV
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash
7
1
1
0
25,072 mi
Structure Body
6
0
2
0
21,725 mi
Engine
5
0
2
0
12,000 mi
Air bags
4
1
0
0
20,000 mi
Steering
3
1
0
0
60,000 mi
Service brakes
3
1
0
0
54,500 mi
Unknown or other
3
0
0
0
49,000 mi
Suspension
2
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
2
1
0
0
—
Power train
2
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 4, 2021Air bags 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.
Apr 4, 2016 · 65,722 milesPower train 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.
Nov 26, 2015 · 49,000 milesUnknown or other 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.
Jan 4, 2016 · 72,000 milesUnknown or other DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Mar 16, 2016 · 22,000 milesElectrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash 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.
Dec 31, 2015 · 67,000 milesStructure › Body 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
Oct 23, 2015 · 75,000 miles · crashElectrical system 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.
Sep 1, 2015 · 32,000 milesUnknown or other 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.