FaultScore

2012 Chevrolet Suburban body problems

24 of the 139 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban are about the body and structure — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 66,600 miles.

C

24

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 21 87.5%
Door 1 4.2%
Structure 1 4.2%
Dashboard 1 4.2%

Body & Structure across every Chevrolet Suburban year

1993 11 3.3%
1995 16 4.8%
1999 20 6.0%
2000 17 5.1%
2001 16 4.8%
2003 13 3.9%
2005 11 3.3%
2007 42 12.6%
2008 30 9.0%
2009 11 3.3%
2010 28 8.4%
2011 26 7.8%
2012 24 7.2%
2013 24 7.2%
2015 34 10.2%
2016 11 3.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Lewisvile, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

My dash on my 2012 Suburban cracked within 4 years of its manufactured date and it just keeps getting worse. If there were an accident it is so dry and cracked it will through hard plastic into the driver and passengers. I know of many other same and similar year models that have the same issue. Now that there is a passenger-side airbag recall would be the perfect time for GM to step up and fix this obvious flaw.

NHTSA complaint #11480228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Novi, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

Dashboard is cracking. I understand the class action was dismissed. But this is so unfair that the customers have to pay to fix for problem caused by material problem.

NHTSA complaint #11431178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Davenport, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKED DASHBOARD IN SEVERAL AREAS

NHTSA complaint #11405648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Davenport, FL

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

CRACKED DASHBOARD IN SEVERAL AREAS

NHTSA complaint #11405648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Orlando, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERELY CRACKED DASH

NHTSA complaint #11405178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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

NHTSA complaint #11399899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Virginia Beach, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THERE ARE 2 LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD ONE RUNNING LONGITUDINALLY ON AXIS OF STEERING COLUMN AND ANOTHER SPREADING FORWARD TOWARD DRIVER SIDE ON FORWARD DRIVER CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG CUTOUT RADIUSED CORNER. I WAS WARNED AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD IN EVENT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM REPORTING THE DATE AS THE DATE I PURCHASED VEHICAL BUT CRACK WAS PRESENT PRIOR TO THAT DATE FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11384156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,717 miles LOS Angeles, CA

STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING

NHTSA complaint #11339986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Atco, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 LARGE CRACKS ON DASH. GOING FROM WINDSHIELD TO DASH. IF I EVER NEED TO HAVE WORK DONE UNDER DASH, DASH WILL FALL APART. 3 CRACKS APPEARED FOR NO KNOW REASON.

NHTSA complaint #11308366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Lindenhurst, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD HAS CRACK ABOVE GAUGE CLUSTER ON DRIVER SIDE AND ALSO CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE AT CORNER OF AIRBAG AREA. WITH DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR AIRBAG I BELIEVE IT COULD SEND SHARDS OF SHARP PLASTIC AT PASSENGER IF AIRBAG WERE TO GO OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11278203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH BOARD CRACKING NEXT TO AIRBAG AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CRACKING BEGIN END OF 2017 AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I UPLOADED 2 IMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #11234088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Hanford, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKING DASHBOARD POSES A SAFETY THREAT TO PEOPLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL THE DRIVER IN LACK OF DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS. HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11182427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Amarillo, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DOORS WERE EQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC PART ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR, WHICH ASSISTED WITH THE DOORS BEING ABLE TO SECURELY CLOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NUMBER FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WAS 84053434 AND 84053436 FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PARTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOORS NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY AND REMAIN CLOSED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION CHEVROLET AMARILLO (2200 I-40 EAST, AMARILLO, TX 79103; 806-553-5681) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY MILEAGE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A FREE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8/339/520-5303. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11030557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles West DES Moines, IA

STRUCTURE:BODY

INTERIOR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE "GRAB BAR" IS BROKEN. RIGID PLASTIC PIECES UNDER THE UPHOLSTERY BROKE AND NOW THE HANDLE IS FALLING APART AND LOOSE. THIS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ARMREST. HANDLE BROKE USING NORMAL CLOSING FORCE, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A LARGE, WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. CHEVROLET HAS NO REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN REPLACING THE WHOLE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL AND THE COST IS AROUND $600.

NHTSA complaint #11022837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Pelham, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL DASH CRACKED AT PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CHEVY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE SAME DASHES IN SAME YEAR MODEL IN 2 SILVERADO'S 1 SUBURBAN AND 1 TAHOE AND ALL HAVE CRACKED IN THE SAME SPOT. THE SUBURBAN DASH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND CRACKED AGAIN. MY DEALER SAID IT WAS OLD AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THWY WILL NOT FIX IT. MY VEHICAL DASH CRACKED RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. I DO NOT EXPECT A $52,000 VEHICAL TO HAVE A DASH CRACK AND CHEVY NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE DASH AND NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX IT. IT CONCERNS ME SINCE THE CRACK IS AT THE AIR BAG. I AM NOT SURE IF WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS IT COULD BRING A PIECE KF THE DASH WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #11005022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Heber, UT

STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKED DASH BY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE ONE BY THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL STARTED OFF AS A HAIRLINE CRACKED AND GOT WORSE VERY FAST. I USED EPOXY TO TRY AND STOP THE CRACK. THE ONE BY THE AIRBAG JUST APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #11003093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Bartlesville, OK

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE 2012 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 LT. THE REAR TAILGATE UNLOCK AND LOCK INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE MANUAL LIFTGATE TO STAY AJAR OR STAY LOCK. THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE OR KEY ACCESS. IT ONLY UNLOCKS AND LOCK BY KEYFOB. ON ONE OCCASION, THE LIFTGATE OPENED WITHOUT NOTICED WHILE DRIVING PROMPTING THE CAR ALERT. IT WAS THEN CLOSED AND THE LIFTGATE STAYED IN THE LOCK POSITION (UNABLE TO UNLOCK WITH KEYFOB) AFTER DIAGNOSIS AT A LOCAL GMC DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED. THE REPAIR WAS IN EXCESS OF $400.00

NHTSA complaint #10979359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Glendora, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TWO CRACKS DEVELOPED, ONE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER IS IN THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. CRACKS ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND.

NHTSA complaint #10969717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,152 miles Augusta, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD FRACTURED. THE FRACTURE SPAN ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING AND ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,152.

NHTSA complaint #10949197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Spring, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES: ONE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SECOND ON THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. THE DASH HAS NEVER BEEN CLEANED WITH CHEMICALS NOR HAS IT BEEN STRUCK WITH ANY OBJECT.

NHTSA complaint #10914933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,600 miles Dickinson, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

I GOT IN MY CAR SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 1 AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY DASH BOARD. UPON RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HAVING THIS GET LARGER AND EXPOSING ELECTRICAL/MECHNICAL COMPONENTS AND THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKED PLASTIC SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS REALLY IRRELEVANT WHEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE FLEET OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10913917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,553 miles Magnolia, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP THAT CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,553.

NHTSA complaint #10746013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,100 miles Park Ridge, IL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

POWER LIFT GATE DROPPED SUDDENLY ;

NHTSA complaint #10736063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,628 miles Chippewa Falls, WI Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

WENT TO PUT MY SHOES ON AND I SAW THAT MY FRONT END OF MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE .IT HAD BEEN 15 HOURS SINCE I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK . THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSAGNER SIDE ON THE GRILL. AND ENGULFED THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10459983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Chevrolet Suburban problems

← Full 2012 Chevrolet Suburban report