2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 46,962miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by tires (6) and air bags (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 46,962 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 743 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the auxillary tank and 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Tires complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system6 26%
- Tires6 26%
- Air bags4 17%
- Engine4 17%
- Steering3 13%
- Electrical system2 8.7%
- Brakes1 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 4.3%
- Body and structure1 4.3%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “While driving on a four-lane highway towing our 15,500 lb fifth wheel, suddenly, without any warning, we heard rattling, lost power, and the engine shut down. The noise and loss of propulsion, power steering and power brakes all occurred within about 2-3 seconds. Gratefully, the driver had the fortitude to immediately begin pulling onto the shoulder of the slight downward slope on which were were driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10966092, filed 2017-03, 119,705 milesTires: “I drive 116 mostly hwy miles a day commuting to work. About 4 weeks ago the 1st of my tires started to vibrate. I had it checked out and the belt had separated. Then 2 weeks later the 2nd tire did the same. (both front end of the veh) then the following week (date of incident.) the other tire belt separated but this time the whole tread separated from the tire causing damage to my vehicle. (indecent not reported to the police) as I was driving down the hwy at normal speeds. (back end of veh) (if front end I might have crashed?) the tires are a goodyear wrangler all-terrain adventure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11112894, filed 2018-07, 177,367 milesAir bags: “I am with the north slope borough fire department I maintain 8 ambulances with the same recall I contacted bud clary Chevrolet with no resolve this recall is from october 2016, I saved all of my e-mails and had no resolution as of yet please assist as I have just received another notice on 05/07/2019 3 years later and will not deal with the dealer they have failed us.”
NHTSA complaint #11206910, filed 2019-05Engine: “2012 silverado 3500hd with dealer installed dejana rugby dump body the dump body hoist makes contact with the electronic trailer brake/body control module eventually cracking open or damaging the top of the module and allowing moisture/water inside damaging the module. This causes a no start condition and or erratic gauges, door locks, ABS & brake lights to come on, drivability issues truck can go into a limp mode with no shifting etc. Test equipment shows no communication to ECM errors and drivetrain- problem will occur while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10853794, filed 2016-04, 29,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V051000Feb 5, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2012, Tahoe 2012, Suburban 2012 +11 more
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…
- 21V054000Feb 5, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2010–2014, Cadillac Escalade 2010–2014, Chevrolet Tahoe 2010–2014 +11 more
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…
- 18V267000Apr 26, 2018EquipmentCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2009–2014, GMC Savana 2009–2018, Chevrolet Express 2009–2018 +6 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain…
- 17V664000Oct 19, 2017Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tankCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2011–2015, GMC Sierra 3500 2011–2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Recall details for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 743 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11028931Feb 16, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures…
- 11027698Jan 16, 2026Other or unknown. This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from…
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 1,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 51 | 2,800 | 3 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 16 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 27 | 53,500 | 3 | — | — | 43 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 41 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | 64 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 42 | 40,000 | 8 | — | — | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 22 | 7,390 | 7 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 23,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 13 | 22,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 51 | 24,486 | 7 | — | — | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 52 | 34,461 | 7 | — | — | 79 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 10 | 37,900 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 26 | 56,000 | 4 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2012 | 23 | 46,962 | 4 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 29 | 54,588 | 5 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 10 | 47,655 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 31 | 74,629 | 4 | — | — | 24 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2007 | 39 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 52 | 52,036 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 46 | 56,633 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 41 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 42 | 84,728 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 50 | 44,844 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 72 | 68,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 80 | 47,974 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 47 | 52,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 67 | 71,200 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 61 | 61,517 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by tires with 6.
Has the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 46,962 miles and the middle half falls between 26,000 and 110,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.