The Lemon Index

All cars · GMC Sierra · 2012

2012 GMC Sierra. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index24100 = average car
Complaints41NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold157,185U.S. model year
Per 100K sold26complaints
Year rank#2 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 10

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
4.3L 6-cylAuto 4-spdRWD15 / 20 / 17Regular$3,650
4.3L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4WD14 / 18 / 16Regular$3,900
4.8L 8-cylAuto 4-spdRWD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
4.8L 8-cylAuto 4-spd4WD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD15 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
6.0L 8-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)RWD20 / 23 / 21Regular$2,950
6.0L 8-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)4WD20 / 23 / 21Regular$2,950
6.2L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD13 / 18 / 14Regular$4,450
6.2L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD12 / 18 / 14Regular$4,450

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,200 and 84,800 miles. Median 55,000, from 132 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags58,50034,000–112,60032
Body structure58,50030,400–80,00024
Electrical60,00022,800–117,30016
Engine70,00014,200–108,10013
Transmission & drivetrain43,70022,800–126,30012

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical20%
Engine20%
Steering17%
Body structure17%
Airbags12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
18692314

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 21V054000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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 AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was m

  • 21V051000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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 registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized am

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458

  • 18V267000 Apr 2018 Equipment

    Defect. 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 Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could ca

    Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 2184

GMC filed 2184 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Pressure Hose
  • Hydraulic Power Steering Leak at Hose Connection to Steering Rack
  • Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20093635111,842Speed control
20101521129,794Engine
20113052149,170Transmission & drivetrain
20122441157,185Electrical
20132863184,389Airbags
2014166386211,833Lights
2015167363224,139Lights

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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