2012 Chevrolet Suburban Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 25%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- 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 air bags of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, 25% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“An airbag icon warning light keeps apprearing and disappearing on the dashboard. This has been going on for a couple of years. I believe that there is a defect in the airbag system but my vehicle does not appear to have a recall as of now. This happens almost every week at all times.”
NHTSA complaint #11047837, filed 2017-11, 200 miles“My dash has cracked significantly around the main passenger airbag since about 38k miles. I have tried working with GM about getting this fixed and they will not help. The dash is so cracked that if the airbag deploys I am concerned that it would send pieces of plastic through the air and hurt/kill someone. Gm told me that there was a problem with the company that made the dashes using the incorrect plastic material which has made these dashes very brittle.”
NHTSA complaint #11061160, filed 2018-01, 38,000 miles“My 2012 Suburban which I bought new in 2013 with 100 miles, after 3 years starting getting cracks in the dash. A month after the 3 year warranty expired. The passenger side crack runs from the air vent to the airbag door and now my service air bag light stays on. A larger crack (6+inches) has appeared on the drivers side running from the vent to the top of the steering column, if I continues the dash will completely separate in half exposing electronics, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10970172, filed 2017-04, 40,885 miles“Dashboard has cracked in multiple places and I'm concerned this may affect safety features such as airbags. Also have the same issue (but much worse) in my Chevrolet avalanche. These dashboards are cheap and flimsy.”
NHTSA complaint #10889317, filed 2016-07, 30,000 miles“Went to buy a new Suburban, found a good used one without the cracked dash. Well within 2 months we now have a crack in our dash. Were told this is a common problem and was told $1500 to fix this issue. I find it unacceptable that chevy would not take care of such a major issue with their vehicles. How are there tons of other brand vehicles without this issue? Always have a sunshade on the vehicle and was it once a week. I now want to trade this for something that doesn't have such a problem. Crack looks like it could interfere with the airbag operation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11254478, filed 2019-09, 63,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V051000Feb 5, 2021General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2012, Tahoe 2012, Avalanche 2012 +11 more
- 21V054000Feb 5, 2021General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2010–2014, Cadillac Escalade 2010–2014, Chevrolet Tahoe 2010–2014 +11 more
Related service bulletins
- 10252974Apr 5, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
- 10251345Feb 26, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046…
- 10232819Feb 16, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unwanted Stability Activation and/or a Service Stability message on…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% |
| 2014 | 15 | 25% |
| 2013 | 28 | 24% |
| 2012 | 25 | 25% |
| 2011 | 66 | 45% |
| 2010 | 52 | 44% |
| 2009 | 38 | 36% |
| 2008 | 96 | 45% |
| 2007 | 146 | 50% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 10 | 8% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 14 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 8 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 4% |
| 1995 | 18 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
38 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
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