MotorDeets

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500: 4 recalls, 23 owner complaints.

4vehicle recalls
23owner complaints
1mention a crash
–best combined mpg
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Fuel system Vehicle recall #17V664000 · 2017 · 35,292 vehicles

What's wrong: The low fuel level sensor for the front tank May stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Why it matters: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure May cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017.

Equipment Vehicle recall #18V267000 · 2018 · 6,154 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:…

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

The fix: Gm will notify owners, instructing them to contact kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.

Airbags Vehicle recall #21V054000 · 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles

What's wrong: " 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 GMC sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of az, ar, de, dc, il, in, ks, ky, md, mo, ne, nv, nj, nm, nc, oh, ok, pa, tn,…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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…

Airbags Vehicle recall #21V051000 · 2021 · 284,645 vehicles

What's wrong: S. Virgin islands or "zone a." these vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant. These inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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…

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.

Tires6
Engine4
Fuel & propulsion4
Airbags4
Steering3
Electrical2
Fuel system (diesel)2
Wheels1

What owners describe

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has 23 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 32 Silverado 3500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 34). Complaints peaked in 2019 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 46,962 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (29 complaints, 5 recalls), 2013 (26 complaints, 4 recalls).

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (6), engine (4), fuel & propulsion (4).

Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Silverado 3500 years

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