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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Chevrolet Silverado Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
16%of 68 total for the year
Median mileage
11,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, 16% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“My wife parked the truck in the driveway just outside of our attached garage. She left the vehicle running because she was unloading groceries and had another errand to run. While she was inside the house the vehicle started moving. One of our children that was outside saw this occurring and started to scream that the truck was moving. My wife ran in an attempt to get in the vehicle and stop it before it hit the wall. She was unsuccessful and the truck crashed into the wall that separates the garage and the family room cause damage to the wall and door that leads into the house. …”

NHTSA complaint #10595231, filed 2014-05, 11,768 miles

“I bought my 2012 texas edition Silverado august 4, 2012 the transmission started responding abnormal immediately after leaving the dealership it had 135 miles on it before I bought it I have 32k miles now and nothing has change all the same issues but they seem to be getting worst. My transmission has a hard time shifting no matter what, up, down, turn, forward all normal driving maneuvers. When it does try and shift the engine clatters which is extremely ridiculous I've had several Silverado's and the last one that clatter this way was a 1978 with probably over 300,000(expected). …”

NHTSA complaint #10593816, filed 2014-05, 135 miles

“I have been having problems with my chevy Silverado truck, texas edition, it has 23,800 miles on it I purchased it with o miles, I adhere to oil changes and any repairs in timely manner. My truck has been in service department twice for the same issue, when the transmission is switching gears, it makes a clunking noise while driving it, it feels like someone is bumping the rear of truck. The repairs include transmission hard shifting 2 - 3 times, rr upper control valve body and spacer plate replaced, reset transmission, 1 2 3 4 clutch regulator valve binding in bore. …”

NHTSA complaint #10532238, filed 2013-07, 20,482 miles

“Brakes are spongy does not stop truck until pumped,power train clunking noise when turning and shifting,electrical at times dash lights dim at any given time, many other complaints very rough ride, trans shifts very hard, when coming to a traffic light runs rough. Has been to dealer once and last thursday got a call from GM the dealership has not responded to my problems.”

NHTSA complaint #10513436, filed 2013-05, 10,000 miles

“Parked facing upslope. The truck slipped out of park gear and rolled downhill backwards, knocking over owner. Finally hit a tree and stopped. Insurance declared it totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #10592034, filed 2014-05, 11,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20173326%
2016120%
20151114%
20143730%
20131117%
20121116%
201145%
2010711%
200934%
2008127%
20072111%
200684%
2005299%
2004498%
20038112%
20027010%
2001647%
20001038%
1999976%
1998145%
19973513%
19962212%
1995208%
199473%
199311%
1992410%
199014%
1988213%

Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Air bags
15 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Engine
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Seats
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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