2012 Gmc SIERRA DENALI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 50.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 40.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Steering: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Equipment: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10485236 · 2012-11-19 (November 19, 2012)
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL (THREE EPISODES) : 13 NOV 2012, WHILE EXITING NB I-95 ONTO EB ROUTE 214 IN LANDOVER, MD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. MY SPEED AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE RAPIDLY AS THE RAMP BEGAN TO STRAIGHTEN FROM IT'S SWEEPING RIGHT CURVE. THE LOCKED STEERING WAS FORCING ME ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY TRUCK ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE LOCKED STEERING FORCED ME OFF THE HARD TOP. DURING THIS EVENT, THE TRUCKS ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AND THE IGNITION KEY STAYED TURNED ON. …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549145 · 2013-10-28 (October 28, 2013)
2012 GMC DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VERY BAD PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHENEVER HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN, HE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL OVER THE ABILITY TO TURN. THE WHEEL LOCKED DOWN WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO TURN AT THE SAME TIME. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN UNTIL HE PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR OR RELEASED THE BRAKE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER BOOSTER TAKING ALL THE POWER TO THE BRAKES AND LEAVING VERY LITTLE TO THE STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10549145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567717 · 2014-03-06 (March 6, 2014)
AFTER EXITING INTERSTATE LOST STEERING AND BRAKES BRIEFLY IN PARKING LOT. PUMPED BRAKE AND BOTH RETURNED AFTER A HISSING SOUND. RECURRED A FEW TIMES IN NEXT 6 MONTHS OR SO. THEN, IN THE FALL OF 2013, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES ON I-49/US71B HEADING SOUTH FROM JOPLIN, MISSOURI. YOU COULD PUMP THE BRAKES AND BRIEFLY REGAIN, BUT FOR THE MOST PART ALL STEERING AND BRAKES WERE OUT. TOOK TRUCK TO GMC DEALER WHERE PURCHASED NEW IN BENTONVILLE. DEALER CONFIRMED NO STEERING AND BRAKES AND DAMAGED BUMPER WHILE VEHICLE IN ITS POSSESSION BY BUMPING INTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659017 · 2014-11-18 (November 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A RATTLING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ UPDATED 5/29/2015 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10662321 · 2014-12-05 (December 5, 2014)
I HAVE GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A 265 60R20 TIRES ON MY SIERRA DENALI HD 2500. I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM NC VIA I-95 AND PULLED OVER SO MY WIFE COULD NURSE OUR 3 WEEK OLD. ME AND THE BOYS WENT IN K-MART FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING AND GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS PULLING BAD RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VERY BADLY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT THE ADDITIONAL 30 MILES BACK HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK THE NEXT MORNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WAS TOO BAD TO CONTINUE ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE TO THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762739 · 2015-09-09 (September 9, 2015)
THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT IN MY TRUCK, I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD CRACKED OVERNIGHT. THE WEATHER HASN'T BEEN TOO HOT OR COLD. DAYS IN LOWER 90S AND LOWS IN UPPER 70S. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I AM AFRAID AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WILL LAUNCH PLASTIC PIECES THROUGH THE CABIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11032757 · 2017-10-10 (October 10, 2017)
THE DASHBOARD IN OUR VEHICLE IS CRACKING AND GETTING WORSE IN TWO LOCATIONS ON THE DASH. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ALSO ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BEGINNING TO GO INTO THE AIRBAG AREA
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11234863 · 2019-07-25 (July 25, 2019)
OUR GMC HAS EXPERIENCED 3 EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILURES. WE PAID TO HAVE THE 1ST BROKEN HANDLE REPAIRED AS IT WAS NOT OPERABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS EVACUATION EXPERIENCE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. WE CHOSE A NON-DEALER REPAIR FACILITY DUE TO THE COST OF USING A DEALER. THIS REPAIR HAS HELD UP WELL. SINCE THAT INITIAL REPAIR 2 MORE EXTERIOR HANDLES HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE 4TH AND FINAL HANDLE FAILS. THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT'S ONLY VERY LIGHTLY USED A…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11234863 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.