2012 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems
Compared with other GMC Sierra 2500 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
2/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.3× that of a typical GMC Sierra 2500 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 31 complaints were filed by the end of 2014.
- Most reported part: Air bags (8 complaints, median 71,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 3–4 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and fuel system (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 5 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1,724 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 69 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 14 GMC Sierra 2500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 2 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Air bags8 26%
- Other or unknown7 23%
- Fuel system5 16%
- Electrical system4 13%
- Body and structure4 13%
- Engine3 9.7%
- Tires2 6.5%
- Suspension1 3.2%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.2%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Well I keep driving my truck. And my airbag light is on. So there for if I get hit they not going to come out and protect me. And I'm having bad issues with my ball joints. On my 2012 Gmc 2500 hd. I've put 2 sets on them. And I've only had it a year. You gotta do something about that.”
NHTSA complaint #11166333, filed 2019-01, 85,000 milesOther or unknown: “Dash is cracked near passenger side air bag, if deployment were to happen shrapnel will fly throughout the cab. Ive seen the same issue on numerous other vehicles of the same generation.”
NHTSA complaint #11171141, filed 2019-01, 190,000 milesFuel system: “While traveling on the interstate at speed and passing slower traffic; engine power fell off, change fuel filter now, engine derate, and check engine lite, occured. I had to maneuver with no power through the traffic to get out of the travel lanes. I was then stranded on the interstate as the truck would not start. I was able to get a mechanic to come and change the fuel filter on the side of the highway, but the truck would not start. The truck was eventually towed to a shop where it was diagnosed with a catastrophic failure of the fuel pump (diesel motor driven pump).”
NHTSA complaint #11366632, filed 2020-10, 70,000 milesElectrical system: “Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem”
NHTSA complaint #11542551, filed 2023-09, 126,393 milesMileage when problems were reported
36% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 126,393 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 2500 · crew cab 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 19.1% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · crew cab RWD | ★★★★☆ | 3 / 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 20.4% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · crew cab 4WD | ★★★☆☆ | 3 / 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 · 19.1% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · crew cab RWD | ★★★☆☆ | 3 / 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 · 20.4% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · extended cab 4WD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · regular cab 4WD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · regular cab RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 3 · 20.4% risk |
| Sierra 2500 · extended cab RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 3 · 20.4% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2013: 2–4 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V051000Feb 5, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: GMC Sierra 2500 2012, Chevrolet 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: GMC Sierra 2500 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: GMC Sierra 2500 2009–2014, 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…
Recall details for the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 → · 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. 1,724 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 GMC Sierra 2500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 9,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 28 | 1,300 | 1 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 107 | 9,904 | 4 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 33 | 34,000 | 1 | — | — | 40 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 44 | 15,167 | 3 | — | — | 65 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 52 | 53,000 | 6 | — | — | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 79 | 31,800 | 9 | — | — | 98 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 32 | 28,729 | 7 | 4 | — | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 35 | 10,000 | 5 | 4 | — | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 37 | 22,060 | 6 | 4 | — | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 59 | 29,500 | 6 | 4 | — | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 89 | 37,023 | 6 | 3–4 | — | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 30 | 39,000 | 2 | 2–4 | — | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 46 | 60,000 | 3 | 2–4 | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 31 | 68,500 | 3 | 3–4 | — | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2011 | 63 | 55,400 | 4 | — | — | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 77,000 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 31 | 39,600 | 5 | — | — | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 63 | 67,500 | 3 | — | — | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 83 | 70,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 66 | 43,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 115 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 11 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 143 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 160 | 73,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 134 | 85,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 134 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 48 | 91,000 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 15 | 47,000 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 14 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 2500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.
Has the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 3–4 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,500 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 126,393 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.