2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 39%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, 39% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 3 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.
“There is a crack on the dashboard right beside the passenger airbag on the inboard side. As the driver, I am worried that a shard of plastic could explosively tear through my skull, killing me, in the event of airbag deployment. Gmc needs to fix this potentially dangerous problem before someone gets killed!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11003916, filed 2017-07, 84,000 miles“Dashboard surrounding airbag and instrument cluster is cracking and essentially disintegrating. If my airbag deploys or I'm involved in a collision these sharp plastic fragments will become a safety hazard. This truck has 38k miles and is in otherwise pristine condition with zero scratches on the interior parts aside from these dash cracks. The plastic is protected every three months at least with aerospace 303 and protected from sunlight when not in use. This is not a maintenance issue, it's a structural defect. Thousands of these vehicles are affected.”
NHTSA complaint #11014905, filed 2017-08, 37,000 miles“I noticed getting into my truck today that I had cracks in my dash in two spots. One crack is above my instrument panel on the drivers side and the other is on the passengers side, running to where my passenger side airbag deploys from. After doing some research online this appears to be a trend that has affected other GM owners. I'm concerned that if the airbags were to deploy either they'd cut into the bags causing them to not deploy properly, and/or, send shards of sharp plastic flying through the vehicles cabin--both situations could have serious/catastrophic consequences.”
NHTSA complaint #10889274, filed 2016-07, 51,000 miles“Dashboard is cracking around passenger-side airbag. The plastic is sharp and brittle, and I'm concerned that sharp shards of plastic would go everywhere if the airbag deployed. This is an extremely well-cared for vehicle that could pass for 'new condition' other than this dashboard issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11308531, filed 2020-02, 60,000 miles“The dash is cracked, there are two cracks where the air-bag is, which could possibly interfere with the deployment of the air-bag. This problem is widespread and involves several models and several years. I contacted the dealership and also general motors and they refuse to do anything to fix it. Several people replaced their dashes at their expense only to have those crack also.”
NHTSA complaint #10960093, filed 2017-03, 30,000 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: GMC Sierra 1500 2012, Chevrolet Tahoe 2012, Suburban 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: GMC Sierra 1500 2010–2013, 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…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% |
| 2015 | 37 | 5% |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 42 | 39% |
| 2011 | 113 | 40% |
| 2010 | 77 | 46% |
| 2009 | 122 | 52% |
| 2008 | 243 | 64% |
| 2007 | 146 | 56% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
37 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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