2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 12%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,353miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 12% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,353 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving vehicle on highway and engine service light came on. When scanned code came up for low oil pressure. Checked oil levels and there was no oil present on the oil dipstick. I had to add 3 quarts of oil to return it to the proper oil level. I now check oil level regularly and have to add an excessive amount of oil on a regular basis.”
NHTSA complaint #11328116, filed 2020-06, 127,500 miles“Got truck 1-25-16 with 49066 miles now 9-12-2018 has 94000 use's oil between changes. I always change when oil life monitor says 10% life left use AC delco dexos oil doesn't leak or smoke . I traded in a 1999 silverado with 201000 miles it used no oil.GM needs to take care of this problem as I hear it happens to far to many trucks with the 5.3 engine”
NHTSA complaint #11129208, filed 2018-09, 76,000 miles“Took wife in city traffic uptown..pcv value got clogged causing oil to get on spark plugs and foul them out causing the intake manifold to have to be taken off and cleaned and all spark plugs and covers replaced.. Manifold gasket replaced.. Cost me almost $800 and there is only 56,000 miles on it! Fortunate that I was able to only have to drive about 3 miles to dealership!”
NHTSA complaint #11165014, filed 2019-01, 56,000 miles“At 170208 miles the cam went out while driving it on a city street it started tapping lifters, I took it directly to repair shop for inspection and a new motor has to be put in. I bought this vehicle one year ago at 139171 miles with powertrain assurance with apg corp. But no one wants to cover it now that it has issues. Even with regular maintenance.”
NHTSA complaint #10893471, filed 2016-08, 170,000 miles“I have had several issues with engine oil pressure sensors and now the lifter dropped and damaged cam, simmons rockwell says I need a new motor. It has 143,000 miles on it”
NHTSA complaint #11362294, filed 2020-10, 143,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 73 | 58% |
| 2025 | 57 | 53% |
| 2024 | 149 | 47% |
| 2023 | 153 | 39% |
| 2022 | 257 | 39% |
| 2021 | 393 | 46% |
| 2020 | 251 | 33% |
| 2019 | 378 | 34% |
| 2018 | 103 | 20% |
| 2017 | 114 | 16% |
| 2016 | 72 | 9% |
| 2015 | 132 | 12% |
| 2014 | 191 | 13% |
| 2013 | 33 | 11% |
| 2012 | 25 | 12% |
| 2011 | 40 | 7% |
| 2010 | 33 | 9% |
| 2009 | 36 | 8% |
| 2008 | 44 | 5% |
| 2007 | 48 | 6% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 18 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 2% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
74 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology