2012 GMC Sierra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 GMC Sierra: 2 recalls, 29 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system (diesel) Vehicle recall #13V615000 · 2013 · 9,733 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
Why it matters: If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it May result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: General motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V827000 · 2014 · 84,192 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator May bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "start" position.
Why it matters: If stuck in the "start" position, the ignition May suddenly snap back into the "accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags May not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (7): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2), electrical failure (2), stalls / loses power (2).
- Body & structure (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (5): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 GMC Sierra has 29 owner complaints, ranking #25 of 28 Sierra model years for complaints (well below the 140 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 31,450 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (43 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (39 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 |
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 GMC Sierra.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra. 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 GMC Sierra problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (7), body & structure (6), engine (5).
What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Sierra get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (6.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 11 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 GMC Sierra 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.