2012 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
31,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 2; 2022: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10681860 · 2015-02-06 (February 6, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD TO HIGHER GEAR. THIS STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 31,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949976 · 2017-02-07 (February 7, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455127 · 2022-03-03 (March 3, 2022)
The service brakes lights has come on a d disabled my brake controller. This is a safety issue while towing and completely unacceptable.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500581 · 2013-02-27 (February 27, 2013)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607796 · 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607796 at NHTSA ↗