2012 Chevrolet EXPRESS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
38,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 38.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
Service Brakes: 4; Electrical System: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10492330 · 2013-01-12 (January 12, 2013)
VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509029 · 2013-04-22 (April 22, 2013)
PARKING BRAKE CABLE FOUND RUBBING ON THE HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE LINE, FORWARD OF THE REAR AXLE ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CHASSIS. WEAR IS EVIDENT ON HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE LINE AND PARKING CABLE, ALONG WITH COMPONENT PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS STUCK UNDER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649163 · 2014-10-21 (October 21, 2014)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT REEL SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SO THE BELT COULD NOT BE EXTENDED AND BUCKLED. THE OPERATOR WAS NOT ABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT AS REQUIRED BY LAW. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER TSB 05-09-40-002G TODAY, A SECOND VEHICLE OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL 2014 MODEL YEAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10725751 · 2015-06-17 (June 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STABILITRAK ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER BEING TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10763324 · 2015-09-12 (September 12, 2015)
ENGINE WAS AT IDLE HAD PULLED INTO GAS STATION . ALARMS WENT OFF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STABLE TRACK ERROR, MULTIPLE TONES. AFTER 20 SECONDS ENGINE STALLED. WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE AND COUPLE TRIES FIX TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SHORTED. I HAD GONE THRU RAIN EARLIER AND A COUPLE STORMS PASSED THRU WHILE AT STATION AND EATING. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND PROGRAMMED IT. THIS COULD OF HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD OF LOST ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING. S…
Owner-reported narrative. 212,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778557 · 2015-09-29 (September 29, 2015)
THE ENGINE WILL GO TO LOW POWER AND NOT GO MORE THAN 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS AN AMBULANCE CHASSIS AND IS A KNOW PROBLEM GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED YET IN THE 2012 AND 2013 CHASSIS. IT CAN DO THIS ON HWYS WITH SPEED LIMITS OF 55, 65, 70 MPH SUDDENLY WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS NO STOP LIGHTS GIVE ANY WARNING AND YOU CAN'T SPEED UP ANYTIME IN POOR VISIBILITY OR AT ANYTIME. NOT ONLY IS IT BAD FOR THE INJURED OR ILL PATIENT IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY OTHERS. GM HAS FIXED THIS ON THE 2014 AND NEWER MODELS BUT NOT 12 &13. THIS IS NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970667 · 2017-04-05 (April 5, 2017)
I MANAGE A FLEET OF 53 SCHOOL BUSES, MODEL YEARS RANGING FROM 2008 TO 2015. I HAVE NOTICED A TREND WITH THE HYDRO BOOSTERS AND MASTER CYLINDERS, THEY TEND TO LEAK INTERNALLY ON THESE GM VEHICLES SOME HAVE BEGUN TO LEAK AS EARLY AS 30,000 MILES. I EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS, ON EVERY BUS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AS THE FLEET AGES THE TREND IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I AM VIGILANT WITH KEEPING UP ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER I AM NOT SURE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE SAME…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11216933 · 2019-05-30 (May 30, 2019)
VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE IN PARK
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11216933 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V543000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2011-11-08 (November 8, 2011)
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 2011. THE SECOND STAGE OF THE DUAL-STAGE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE IN A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT. ACCORDINGLY, THE AIR BAGS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIR BAG WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-800-462-8782 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V112000 · Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman
Reported: 2012-03-22 (March 22, 2012)
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4, 2012.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V225000 · Fuel System, Other
Reported: 2013-05-15 (May 15, 2013)
General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Consequence: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V117000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Consequence: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V500000 · Fuel System, Other
Reported: 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Consequence: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V267000 · Equipment
Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
NHTSA campaign record ↗