Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 26 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 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
73% 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 3500
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 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
320.0%
Median failure at 29,958 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
320.0%
Median failure at 16,400 miles
Engine & Cooling
320.0%
Median failure at 29,958 miles
Other & Unspecified
213.3%
Median failure at 35,900 miles
Electrical System
213.3%
Median failure at 90,200 miles
Brakes
16.7%
Airbags
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
327.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
436.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
218.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
19.1%
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.
Feb 2013peak 3Jan 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500
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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lebanon, OR
AIR BAGS
Our Dash board cracked very badly from the top next to the speaker to the passenger side air bag. We purposely use a dash board cover and never place heavy things on it. This is a safety issue as if getting in an accident wouldn’t be bad enough flying shrapnel would be worse. We just had it fixed at a dealership to the tune of $2500. This is not okay as I see this is a constant problem.
NHTSA complaint #11709666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our Dash board cracked very badly from the top next to the speaker to the passenger side air bag. We purposely use a dash board cover and never place heavy things on it. This is a safety issue as if getting in an accident wouldn’t be bad enough flying shrapnel would be worse. We just had it fixed at a dealership to the tune of $2500. This is not okay as I see this is a constant problem.
NHTSA complaint #11709666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adams Run, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The service brakes lights has come on a d disabled my brake controller. This is a safety issue while towing and completely unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11455127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adams Run, SC
SERVICE BRAKES
The service brakes lights has come on a d disabled my brake controller. This is a safety issue while towing and completely unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11455127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,900 milesAltamont, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD WHILE IN REGENERATION MODE FUNNELS EXHAUST DIRECTLY INTO THE CAB THROUGH THE VENTS. WHILE GM RECOGNIZED THIS AS A FLAW AND CAME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT, THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR IT IN A 5 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WINDOW. HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION?
NHTSA complaint #11032885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150 milesHannacroix, NY
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. WHILE GOING UP A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR WHILE GOING 60 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES (THEY HAVE IT ON FILE) THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY UNDERSTAND BUT SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10949976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,200 milesEdgewood, NM
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD TO HIGHER GEAR. THIS STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10681860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesMedina, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DRIVING FROM GM DEALER FOR TWO MILES CHANGE FUEL FILTER MESSAGE APPEARED AND ENGINE DIED. TOWED TO A DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A HIGH PRESSURE INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE WITH METAL CONTAMINATION TO FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND A BULLETIN DATED 2009 FROM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS. THIS JOINT STATEMENT HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUEL USED IN THE USA THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF AND MAY HAVE AVOIDED THIS FAILURE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AS I USE MY TRUCK FOR WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10607796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,400 milesWyoming, NY
POWER TRAIN
WHILE PULLING MY FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER 12500# AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH PULLING A GRADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH. THIS REDUCED AND LIMITED THE SPEED TO 50 MPH AND STEPS THE TRUCK DOWN FROM THERE UNTIL YOU CAN ONLY DO 20 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10531497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,400 milesWyoming, NY
ENGINE
WHILE PULLING MY FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER 12500# AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH PULLING A GRADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH. THIS REDUCED AND LIMITED THE SPEED TO 50 MPH AND STEPS THE TRUCK DOWN FROM THERE UNTIL YOU CAN ONLY DO 20 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10531497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,400 milesWyoming, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE PULLING MY FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER 12500# AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH PULLING A GRADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH. THIS REDUCED AND LIMITED THE SPEED TO 50 MPH AND STEPS THE TRUCK DOWN FROM THERE UNTIL YOU CAN ONLY DO 20 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10531497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,958 milesVictoria, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THIS STARTED JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WILL SHUT OFF LIKE YOU TURNED THE KEY OFF. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, GMC HAS FAILED TO FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD NOT PUT MY FAMILY BACK INTO A TRUCK THAT HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING A WRECK AND GETTING THEM HURT. FILED A CLAIM [XXX] WITH GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE, TRYING TO GET SOME HELP. NOTHING HAPPENED. THE GMC SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I NEEDED TO PICK UP MY TRUCK. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM, I WOULD NOT PUT MY FAMILY BACK INTO AN UNSAFE TRUCK THAT COULD POSSIBLY GET THEM HURT OR KILLED. I TRIED TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM GMC UPPER MANAGEMENT CONTACT ME SO WE COULD COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. BUT NO ONE FROM MANAGEMENT WOULD CONTACT ME. SO I ENDED UP HAVING TO TRADE THIS TRUCK IN FOR A NEW ONE, WHICH COST ME MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET, HIGHER PAYMENTS, LONGER TERMS ETC. DON'T THINK IT WAS RIGHT THAT GMC WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. WHY IS IT THAT GMC DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT A SAFETY ITEM THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX ? I WAS NOT ASKING FOR MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, JUST SWAP IT OUT EVEN FOR A SAFE TRUCK THAT I COULD PUT MY FAMILY IN WITHOUT FEAR OF THEM GETTING HURT. BUT INSTEAD, GMC DECIDED TO FORGET ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND IT ENDED UP COSTING ME AND MY FAMILY MONEY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR OTHER THINGS LIKE FOOD, BILLS, MEDICAL ETC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10520844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,958 milesVictoria, TX
ENGINE
THIS STARTED JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WILL SHUT OFF LIKE YOU TURNED THE KEY OFF. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, GMC HAS FAILED TO FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD NOT PUT MY FAMILY BACK INTO A TRUCK THAT HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING A WRECK AND GETTING THEM HURT. FILED A CLAIM [XXX] WITH GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE, TRYING TO GET SOME HELP. NOTHING HAPPENED. THE GMC SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I NEEDED TO PICK UP MY TRUCK. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM, I WOULD NOT PUT MY FAMILY BACK INTO AN UNSAFE TRUCK THAT COULD POSSIBLY GET THEM HURT OR KILLED. I TRIED TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM GMC UPPER MANAGEMENT CONTACT ME SO WE COULD COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. BUT NO ONE FROM MANAGEMENT WOULD CONTACT ME. SO I ENDED UP HAVING TO TRADE THIS TRUCK IN FOR A NEW ONE, WHICH COST ME MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET, HIGHER PAYMENTS, LONGER TERMS ETC. DON'T THINK IT WAS RIGHT THAT GMC WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. WHY IS IT THAT GMC DID NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT A SAFETY ITEM THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX ? I WAS NOT ASKING FOR MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, JUST SWAP IT OUT EVEN FOR A SAFE TRUCK THAT I COULD PUT MY FAMILY IN WITHOUT FEAR OF THEM GETTING HURT. BUT INSTEAD, GMC DECIDED TO FORGET ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND IT ENDED UP COSTING ME AND MY FAMILY MONEY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR OTHER THINGS LIKE FOOD, BILLS, MEDICAL ETC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10520844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,200 milesUnion, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON TURNPIKE PULLING LONG HEAVY TRAILER IN RAIN AT NIGHT WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. SUDDEN SHUTDOWN OF ALL SYSTEMS. ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. UNABLE TO RESTART OR GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO WORK. WORKED VEHICLE TO SHOULDER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. WAITING FOR THEM TO OPEN TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THIS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAD THE POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10500581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,200 milesUnion, MI
ENGINE
TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON TURNPIKE PULLING LONG HEAVY TRAILER IN RAIN AT NIGHT WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. SUDDEN SHUTDOWN OF ALL SYSTEMS. ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. UNABLE TO RESTART OR GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO WORK. WORKED VEHICLE TO SHOULDER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. WAITING FOR THEM TO OPEN TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THIS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAD THE POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10500581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.