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Model Year Problem Record

GMC Sierra 1500 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

107Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
7Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags42 complaints

42 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 21V051000, 21V054000.

Unknown Or Other36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V267000.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

18V267000Reported April 26, 2018 - 6,154 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on April 26, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 6,154 vehicles across all affected models.

21V051000Reported February 5, 2021 - 284,645 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 284,645 vehicles across all affected models.

21V054000Reported February 5, 2021 - 1,778,128 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 1,778,128 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP22005Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed August 7, 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds. Resulted in recall campaign 22V063000.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201618
201723
201815
20192
20208
202116
20228
20238
20244
20252
20263
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.