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GMC Sierra 3500Model year report

2012 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
31,200miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,200 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 773 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 50 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the auxillary tank and 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine: “While pulling my fifth wheel trailer 12500# at highway speed 65 MPH pulling a grade the check engine light came on and the reduced engine power message appeared on the dash. This reduced and limited the speed to 50 MPH and steps the truck down from there until you can only do 20 MPH on the interstate. This issue has happened three times in three months.”

NHTSA complaint #10531497, filed 2013-07, 16,400 miles

Fuel system: “Driving from GM dealer for two miles change fuel filter message appeared and engine died. Towed to a dealer diagnosed as a high pressure injector pump failure with metal contamination to fuel system. I have found a bulletin dated 2009 from equipment manufacturers. This joint statement has information about the fuel used in the USA that I was not aware of and may have avoided this failure. This is a very expensive repair as I use my truck for work.”

NHTSA complaint #10607796, filed 2014-07, 140,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle will not shift properly when towing a trailer. While going up a hill, the transmission will not downshift properly. While going downhill, the vehicle downshifts to 2nd gear while going 60 MPH. I have contacted GM several times (they have it on file) that there is a problem with the transmission. They understand but said that they cannot do anything about it. This has been happening since it was brand new. Over and over again.”

NHTSA complaint #10949976, filed 2017-02, 150 miles

Electrical system: “Traveling at 60mph on turnpike pulling long heavy trailer in rain at night with moderate to heavy traffic. Sudden shutdown of all systems. Engine shut off and all electrical systems shut down. Unable to restart or get electrical systems to work. Worked vehicle to shoulder and had it towed to a dealership. Waiting for them to open to diagnose and repair. This mechanical and electrical failure had the potential for a catastrophic incident.”

NHTSA complaint #10500581, filed 2013-02, 90,200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

71% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,958 and 35,900 miles.

14%0–1014%10–2543%25–500%50–7514%75–10014%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 31,200 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2013320142015201720222026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 → · 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. 773 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 773 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202652,2502———Too new
20251740,0001———Too new
20245138,3003——Too new to compareToo new
20232833,8001——47 · TypicalToo new
20223231,1543——54 · TypicalRising
202120101,5005———Rising
20205128,7008——95 · MoreRising
20191353,0047———Not enough data
20181453,8006———Not enough data
20171321,0007———Not enough data
20161927,5007———Rising
20153138,5007——50 · TypicalFalling
2014768,0003———Not enough data
20131449,2184———Not enough data
2012931,2004———Not enough data
20112077,2505———Falling
2009536,6005———Not enough data
20082559,0003——0 · FewerFalling
20071636,0003———Rising
20061149,9740———Not enough data
20052450,5000———Rising
20042484,0000———Rising
2003760,5000———Not enough data
20022079,0002———Stable
20013663,5402——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20002657,0072——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19991959,5001———Stable
199812128,0002———Not enough data
19971095,0001———Not enough data

All GMC Sierra 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,200 miles and the middle half falls between 29,958 and 35,900 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

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.