2012 GMC Sierra Problems
Compared with other GMC Sierra years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical GMC Sierra 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.
- 13 of its 29 complaints were filed by the end of 2014.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (7 complaints, median 25,072 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2009, 2010, 2011
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
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 31,450miles, 27 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid RWD · 20 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Sierra (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by body and structure (6) and engine (5). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,450 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 279 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 55 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 GMC Sierra model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (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.
- Electrical system7 24%
- Body and structure6 21%
- Engine5 17%
- Air bags4 14%
- Brakes4 14%
- Other or unknown3 10%
- Steering3 10%
- Suspension2 6.9%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Apparently GM uses peanut oil to lubricate wiring so they can more easily insulate, etc (accorging to the GM dealer). This attracts rats and mice which chew up the wiring - potentially impacting sensors and other items controlling cruise, stability/traction control, and any number of electrical systems that the driver may be relying upon for safety. I actually had map sensor wires chewed up that disabled my stability/traction systems and inhibited engine performance. Luckily for me it happened in my driveway rather than on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491437, filed 2013-01, 10,000 milesBody and structure: “While the vehicle was being driven, it just went dead, no engine, no electric, no nothing. The vehicle was left in place and at some point, caught fire and burned. A total loss. To date, the insurance company has not paid me for my loss but rather has gone to great lengths to investigate me personally, looking for any reason to not pay. So, I've been making two vehicle payments for the last 8 months. As a result, I am struggling financially.”
NHTSA complaint #10575697, filed 2014-03, 2,000 milesEngine: “Engine will increase idle from 700 to 900 at any time. One can be sitting at a traffic light and it might increase or decrease. I pull a 5th wheel (35 feet) and it is very difficult to stop with the engine trying to keep going. Also it is very scary to stop on slippery roads. This did not start until the vehicle had approx. 35,000 miles on it. The dealer tells me it is normal, but I have talked to owners of the GM diesel from model year 2008 through 2015 and none of them have this condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10662943, filed 2014-12, 35,000 milesAir bags: “The dash that supports the air bag on the passenger side is cracking and could possibly puncture the air bag or send parts of the dash flying a occupants during a collision. Because of the cracks the air bag is not properly secured in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10786479, filed 2015-10, 20,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
70% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 57,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 GMC Sierra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 14V827000Dec 30, 2014Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: GMC Sierra 2011–2012, Chevrolet Tahoe 2011–2012, Cadillac Escalade ESV 2011–2012 +7 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected…
- 13V615000Dec 11, 2013Fuel system, dieselCovers: GMC Sierra 2012–2013, Chevrolet Silverado 2012–2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the…
Recall details for the 2012 GMC Sierra → · 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. 279 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10108645Jul 19, 2017Tires. This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
- 10108599Jul 17, 2017Suspension. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
- 10113404Feb 8, 2017Fuel system. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the…
- 10113364Jan 31, 2017Brakes. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
- 10100822Jul 11, 2016Engine. This informational bulletin provides the technician with what may happen to an engine due to lack of maintenance.
- 10078601Apr 4, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the part restriction for the accessory dc power control module and the seal kit has ended.
- 10113889Mar 1, 2016Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a list of modules to check for communication with the scan tool, if the navigation radio does not display the current Hybrid…
- 10113888Mar 1, 2016Engine. This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production…
- 10113887Mar 1, 2016Brakes, Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production…
- 10114431Feb 23, 2016Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 61 | 35,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 6 | 39,500 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 2,750 | 6 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 101 | 3,000 | 11 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 39 | 7,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 29 | 31,450 | 2 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 53,500 | 0 | — | 22 | 11 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 68 | 66,850 | 2 | — | — | 23 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 59 | 70,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 53 | 43,500 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 117 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 188 | 49,752 | 7 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 206 | 55,750 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 249 | 40,490 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 264 | 61,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 443 | 67,666 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 600 | 62,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 190 | 71,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 238 | 78,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 246 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 261 | 114,184 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 190 | 110,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 178,000 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 12 | 108,500 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 18 | 115,832 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | 187,575 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Sierra have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Sierra is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by body and structure with 6.
Has the 2012 GMC Sierra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Sierra get?
The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Sierra (Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD, 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Sierra reported?
Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,450 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 57,000 miles; 70% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.