2012 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
31,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 29 complaints (20.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 10; 2016: 5; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10451590 · 2012-03-14 (March 14, 2012)
JUST PURCHASES NEW 2012 GMC SIERRA 3500 , 400 MILES , HAVE HAD ALIGNMENT / STEERING PROBLEMS WITH A DRIFT TO LEFT AND A WONDERING STEERING WHEEL, ALSO BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON, WENT TO DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT FOR 2 HRS, AND SAID IT NEEDED A PART ORDERED AND THERE WAS A TSB ON IT, THE TECH SAID IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE ABS BRAKES, ALSO HE WOULD CHECK ALIGNMENT AGAIN AT TIME WHEN PART CAME IN 4 DAYS EST, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON, VEHICLE DROVE FINE THE NEXT DAY UNTIL A ACCIDENT, WENT AROUND CURVEAT 55 MPH, APPLIED BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 420 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481134 · 2012-10-19 (October 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AND ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD THUMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,545. UPDATED 13/13/12 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 5,545 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10681960 · 2015-02-07 (February 7, 2015)
THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP CP4 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, US RT.20. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT TOWING A 16,000 LB. FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD.I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE TRUCK STEERING IT AND BRINGING IT TO A CONTROLLED STOP. I HAVE READ ABOUT THESE PUMPS FAILING ON NUMEROUS DIESEL FORD AND GM TRUCKS. I ALSO FEEL IF A WOMAN OR SMALL PERSON HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM THE OUTCOME COULD END IN LOSS …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491437 · 2013-01-04 (January 4, 2013)
APPARENTLY GM USES PEANUT OIL TO LUBRICATE WIRING SO THEY CAN MORE EASILY INSULATE, ETC (ACCORGING TO THE GM DEALER). THIS ATTRACTS RATS AND MICE WHICH CHEW UP THE WIRING - POTENTIALLY IMPACTING SENSORS AND OTHER ITEMS CONTROLLING CRUISE, STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANY NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS THAT THE DRIVER MAY BE RELYING UPON FOR SAFETY. I ACTUALLY HAD MAP SENSOR WIRES CHEWED UP THAT DISABLED MY STABILITY/TRACTION SYSTEMS AND INHIBITED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY RATHER THAN ON THE HIGHWAY. DEAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731725 · 2015-07-02 (July 2, 2015)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY DISCOVERED THE WIRES HAD BEEN CHEWED THROUGH. I READ THAT GM USES PEANUT OIL ON WIRES IN ORDER TO INSTALL THEM EASIER. LOOKS LIKE THIS ATTRACTED A MOUSE, SQUIRREL, CHIPMUNK, OR OTHER CREATURE AND IT CHEWED THE WIRES. LUCKILY IT DID NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE TRUCK BUT IT COULD HAVE LED TO A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. AND GM NEEDS TO CREATE SOME KIND OF ANIMAL REPELLANT TO SPRAY ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,072 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10750195 · 2015-08-20 (August 20, 2015)
WHILE MOVING WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE SWITCHED OFF. BY DOING SO, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK, NOT ALLOWING TO STEER. THERE HAVE BEEN A SAFETY CONCERNS WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS, WHY NOT THIS MODEL? THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,994 miles reported. Look up ODI 10750195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10810661 · 2015-12-16 (December 16, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10810661 at NHTSA ↗