Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 2500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 38
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other GMC Sierra 2500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
820.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 71,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
717.5%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
512.5%
Median failure at 68,500 miles
Body & Structure
410.0%
Median failure at 34,000 miles
Electrical System
410.0%
Median failure at 67,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
410.0%
Median failure at 126,696 miles
Engine & Cooling
37.5%
Median failure at 78,500 miles
Tires
25.0%
Median failure at 95,945 miles
Wheels
12.5%
Median failure at 125 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.5%
Suspension
12.5%
Median failure at 85,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
13.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
725.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
622.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
414.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
518.5%
150,000+ miles
311.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2013peak 5Aug 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 GMC Sierra 2500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 33,000 milesBridgewater, MACrash4 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
A MULTI-CAR COLLISION HAD OCCURRED AT A CONSIDERABLE SPEED. (SADLY A DRIVER HAD LOST A LIFE IN THIS ACCIDENT) THIS COLLISION ENTAILED A VERY LARGE COMMERCIAL TRUCK BEING HIT HEAD ON, BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.( THIS 2ND VEHICLE BEING A VAN) AFTER THIS SEVERE IMPACT WITH THE LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, (WHICH CREATED HEAVY DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE, REMOVING THE FRONT AXLE) THE VAN PROCEEDED BEING RICOCHET OFF THE LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, AROUND IT, BACK INTO MY ONCOMING LANE. THIS RESULTED IN A FRONTAL DRIVER IMPACT HEAD ON WITH THE OUT OF CONTROL VAN. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG OF MY VEHICLE PARTIALLY INFLATED, THEN RAPIDLY DEFLATED. THUS THE AIRBAG NEVER FULLY EMPLOYED,LEAVING ME NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. I AM ENDURING MANY ISSUES DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION, AND WISH THIS MATTER TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER, TO PROTECT ANYONE ELSE FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE MYSELF...UPDATED 10/07/14
NHTSA complaint #10640981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesTerryville, CT1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
CHROME INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. CHROME PLATING IS COMING OFF AND IS SHARP. CUT MY FINGER OPENING THE DOOR. RESEMBLES A PAPER CUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING HANDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10558434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 146,500 milesMooresville, NC
TIRES:SIDEWALL
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 equipped with Armstrong Tires, Tire Line: Tru Trac HT, Tire Size: 245/75/17, DOT Number: 1E6DAE022625. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine tire rotation but was informed there were massive bubbles on the tires, and on one tire, there was a bulge the size of an apple on the sidewall of the tire. The contact replaced the tires. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and declined to accept the mileage claim and requested photos of the tires. The tire failure mileage was approximately 27,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 146,500.
NHTSA complaint #11758047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa City, IA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'm following up on tracking number 11642264 that was submitted on Feb 12th for my 2012 GMC Sierra 2500 HD ignition lock issue that fits the profile for a current recall . I haven't heard anything and am checking on the current status. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11644587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa City, IA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2012 GMC Sierra falls under recall number 14V827000 Ignition lock activator by year, make and model, but not by the VIN number. I called the GMC 800 number and they indicated that the NHTSA issues the recalls not the manufacturer. I then called the NHTSA and they indicated that the manufacturer issues the recalls. I just need to have VIN number [XXX] added to recall number 14V827000. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11642264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miamisburg, OH
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and an unknown dealer were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. .
NHTSA complaint #11624777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,393 milesLake Village, IN
POWER TRAIN
Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem
NHTSA complaint #11542551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,393 milesLake Village, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving on the expressway around 60 mph when the truck went into limp mode slowing me down to 40 and then would not shift gears Tcm went out gm told me that there is a big problem
NHTSA complaint #11542551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Petersburg, VA
ENGINE
Truck is a diesel. Fuel pump blew up and died in the middle of the street. Now I'm being told the Fuel system needs completely re done and will cost me 10g. I also found a lawsuit for this issue as well.
NHTSA complaint #11541273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Petersburg, VA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Truck is a diesel. Fuel pump blew up and died in the middle of the street. Now I'm being told the Fuel system needs completely re done and will cost me 10g. I also found a lawsuit for this issue as well.
NHTSA complaint #11541273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Cloud, FL
POWER TRAIN
Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.
NHTSA complaint #11536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Cloud, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.
NHTSA complaint #11536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Cloud, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Failed TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (24256861). While driving in the early morning hours (darkness) taking my child to school, I was navigating through a busy intersection when the vehicle surged and then made a loud metal on metal sound, feeling as if someone had struck me from behind. At that point the power train became inoperable, stranding us and coming very close to being first, struck from behind and then from cross traffic. The vehicle was/has been inspected by a GM technician at Starling Chevrolet, St Cloud, FL and the TCM was found to have failed (trouble code U0101, lost communication with TCM). It has been at the dealership for going on four months awaiting the production of a replacement part(TCM). There was no prior indication that the TCM was about to fail. Upon failure, all lights on the vehicle display flashed and the indicator for the vehicle drive position was lost (P, R, N, D), no longer visible.
NHTSA complaint #11536038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, VA
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Control Module Failed
NHTSA complaint #11520006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eldridge, IA
AIR BAGS
I received notice of a defective front airbag in February, 2021. As of now (about 7 months later) no action by GM to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11432754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Truro, MA
AIR BAGS
NONE
NHTSA complaint #11424415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesMount Vernon, IL
ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC; ENGINE POWER FELL OFF, CHANGE FUEL FILTER NOW, ENGINE DERATE, AND CHECK ENGINE LITE, OCCURED. I HAD TO MANEUVER WITH NO POWER THROUGH THE TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANES. I WAS THEN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A MECHANIC TO COME AND CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. THE TRUCK WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP (DIESEL MOTOR DRIVEN PUMP).
NHTSA complaint #11366632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesMount Vernon, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED AND PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC; ENGINE POWER FELL OFF, CHANGE FUEL FILTER NOW, ENGINE DERATE, AND CHECK ENGINE LITE, OCCURED. I HAD TO MANEUVER WITH NO POWER THROUGH THE TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANES. I WAS THEN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A MECHANIC TO COME AND CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. THE TRUCK WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP (DIESEL MOTOR DRIVEN PUMP).
NHTSA complaint #11366632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesLakeside, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL FILTER HOUSING CONTAINS A PRIMER PUMP. NEEDED FOR A DIESEL. SEALS WITHIN THAT PUMP FAILED ALLOWING AIR INTO THE SYSTEM. VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THIS CAUSED THE MOTOR TO QUIT WHILE IN MOTION. IN YELLOWSTONE PARK.
NHTSA complaint #11355268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS
DASH IS CRACKED NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, IF DEPLOYMENT WERE TO HAPPEN SHRAPNEL WILL FLY THROUGHOUT THE CAB. IVE SEEN THE SAME ISSUE ON NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME GENERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11171141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesHouston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH IS CRACKED NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, IF DEPLOYMENT WERE TO HAPPEN SHRAPNEL WILL FLY THROUGHOUT THE CAB. IVE SEEN THE SAME ISSUE ON NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME GENERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11171141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesArlington, TN
AIR BAGS
WELL I KEEP DRIVING MY TRUCK. AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SO THERE FOR IF I GET HIT THEY NOT GOING TO COME OUT AND PROTECT ME. AND I'M HAVING BAD ISSUES WITH MY BALL JOINTS. ON MY 2012 GMC 2500 HD. I'VE PUT 2 SETS ON THEM. AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT A YEAR. YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
NHTSA complaint #11166333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesArlington, TN
SUSPENSION
WELL I KEEP DRIVING MY TRUCK. AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SO THERE FOR IF I GET HIT THEY NOT GOING TO COME OUT AND PROTECT ME. AND I'M HAVING BAD ISSUES WITH MY BALL JOINTS. ON MY 2012 GMC 2500 HD. I'VE PUT 2 SETS ON THEM. AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT A YEAR. YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
NHTSA complaint #11166333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesEaton, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I70 COMING INTO DENVER. TRUCK SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AT 80MPH ON STEEP DOWNHILL GRADE CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER FACILITIES IN THE TRUCK. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING. I ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE ROAD THANKS TO THIS FAILED FUEL PUMP. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS BOSCH (THE PUMP MANUFACTURER) HAD INSTRUCTED GM TO USE A LIFT PUMP ON THIS ITEM AND THEY HAVE DISREGARDED THAT RECOMMENDATION LEAVING PEOPLE IN DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS ITEM NEEDS A RECALL AND GM IS REFUSING TO DO SO BECAUSE THIS OCCURRENCE RENDERS THE TRUCK IN NEED OF 13K+ I'M REPAIRS. SHAME ON GM AND SHAME ON NHTSA FOR NOT DOING THEIR JOB.
NHTSA complaint #11123431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesSturgis, KY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE "SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM", "SEE OWNERS MANUAL NOW", AND "97 MILES BEFORE 65 MPH NAX SPEED" MESSAGES APPEARED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (TRICE HUGHS GM IN PRINCETON, KENTUCKY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IN TANK FUEL SENSOR, THREE GLOW PLUGS, AND THE NOX SENSOR HAD SHORTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #11054571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesBroussard, LA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND LOST POWER. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY BUICK GMC LAFAYETTE (4750 JOHNSTON ST, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 (337) 504-7342) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER BLEW APART AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT NO WARRANTY OR RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11051064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TWO REAR TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATION. TIRES ARE 2 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #11045486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.