2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE EXHAUST FUMES WOULD ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE DOWN TUBE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484840 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE TIRES MANUFACTURE DATE 2811, ON 01-05-12 FOUND TO BE DRY ROTTED, DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS A 2012 TRUCK WITH 26000 MILES. CHEVROLET DEALER IS OFFERING REPLACEMENT AT A COST TO THE OWNER OF $1220.00. TIRES ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AT TIME OF INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. THIS PRICE IS NEARLY $500 MORE THAN THE MICHELIN DEALER IS OFFERING AS A PRORATED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558948 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

GENERAL GRABBER AT2. TRUCK PARKED IN LOT WHEN TIRE BLEW AT BEGINNING OF WORK DAY BEFORE USE. EMPLOYEES HEARD NOISE AND CAME OUT OF DISPATCH TO CHECK WHAT HAPPENED. RT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 42,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 10838564 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2017-10-19 (October 19, 2017)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Consequence: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

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.

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.