2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
46,963 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 23 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
Tires: 6; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10853794 · 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)
2012 SILVERADO 3500HD WITH DEALER INSTALLED DEJANA RUGBY DUMP BODY THE DUMP BODY HOIST MAKES CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRONIC TRAILER BRAKE/BODY CONTROL MODULE EVENTUALLY CRACKING OPEN OR DAMAGING THE TOP OF THE MODULE AND ALLOWING MOISTURE/WATER INSIDE DAMAGING THE MODULE. THIS CAUSES A NO START CONDITION AND OR ERRATIC GAUGES, DOOR LOCKS, ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON, DRIVABILITY ISSUES TRUCK CAN GO INTO A LIMP MODE WITH NO SHIFTING ETC. TEST EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO COMMUNICATION TO ECM ERRORS AND DRIVETRAIN- PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10966092 · 2017-03-15 (March 15, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY TOWING OUR 15,500 LB FIFTH WHEEL, SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WE HEARD RATTLING, LOST POWER, AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE NOISE AND LOSS OF PROPULSION, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL OCCURRED WITHIN ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. GRATEFULLY, THE DRIVER HAD THE FORTITUDE TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE SLIGHT DOWNWARD SLOPE ON WHICH WERE WERE DRIVING. LUCKILY, WE WERE ON A STRETCH OF ROAD THAT WAS NOT INCLINED, NOT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH BARRIERS, NOT IN A SNOWY MOUNTAIN PASS OR IN OTH…
Owner-reported narrative. 119,705 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644013 · 2014-10-11 (October 11, 2014)
TRUCK STALLED WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD TRANSFER SWITCH AND TWO SENSORS REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10794962 · 2015-11-19 (November 19, 2015)
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GIVES OUT AS IF THE ENGINE STALLED BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. IT GIVES OUT AND THE STEERING STICKS MAKING THE STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND ONLY LAST FOR SECONDS. WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS RETURNED WITHOUT ANY FIX STATING UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 21,000 MILES AND PROBLEM CONTINUES.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10794962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567778 · 2014-03-07 (March 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN SUDDENLY THE CONTACT LOST ALL CONTROL OF HIS POWER STEERING AND ALMOST DROVE INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN BUT IT WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11230968 · 2019-07-11 (July 11, 2019)
BOSH FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11230968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473264 · 2022-07-10 (July 10, 2022)
Our diesel fuel pump failed unexpectedly and without any notice while pulling a fifth wheel camper on a state highway in Ohio. The engine stopped completely (we were coasting within seconds). We were in a one-lane construction zone, and had it not been for a paved median, I would have been unable to pull off in this construction zone. Fortunately, I had enough momentum to get off the road and was able to exert enough pressure on the brakes manually to stop. In reading about this issue, it is clear that there are known problems with this fue…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473264 at NHTSA ↗