2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 17%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 17% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Our diesel fuel pump failed unexpectedly and without any notice while pulling a fifth wheel camper on a state highway in Ohio. The engine stopped completely (we were coasting within seconds). We were in a one-lane construction zone, and had it not been for a paved median, I would have been unable to pull off in this construction zone. Fortunately, I had enough momentum to get off the road and was able to exert enough pressure on the brakes manually to stop. In reading about this issue, it is clear that there are known problems with this fuel pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11473264, filed 2022-07“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500. The contact stated that when the heater was activated, the exhaust fumes would enter the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the down tube failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the odor was still present in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10484840, filed 2012-11, 20,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 25% |
| 2022 | 3 | 11% |
| 2021 | 3 | 7% |
| 2020 | 6 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 18% |
| 2018 | 6 | 32% |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 8 | 15% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% |
| 2012 | 4 | 17% |
| 2011 | 4 | 14% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 5% |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% |
| 2001 | 7 | 10% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
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