CarRecallWatchThe 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA, including 7 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Unknown Or Other (73 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 4 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles uses a propellant that can degrade over time when exposed to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes.
Passenger air bag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The front passenger air bag inflator in these vehicles uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant, which can degrade after long exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Problem areas named in the 216 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 73 |
| Air Bags | 59 |
| Structure | 36 |
| Engine | 25 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
What owners report
My husband picked me up from work in [XXX] we went over a very icy bridge the truck spun around and hit the guard rail on the bridge the airbags popped and broke two of my ribs I went to the hospital it was very painful I had to lose out on several days of work. I have pictures of the airbag the one that popped on me appears to be orange. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Severe frame rot on driver side beneath the cab. Just noticed it today July 13, 2026.
I noticed the gas tank was listing to one end and not level. I noticed one of the tank straps had rusted away and I took the truck to a mechanic to replace the strap. The mechanic showed me that practically the majority of the frame was rusted away. There was nothing substantial enough for the straps to attach to. Are there many cases of the frame disintegrating on this model truck. I would be satisfied if the frame was replaced as I believe the manufacturer failed in protecting these frames from rusting away. I have been looking for a frame for a reasonable price and have not found one yet. I will also need someone to remove the old one and install the new one. I have not driven the truck b
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and stopping at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the accelerator pedal became stuck, and the engine unexpectedly revved to 5,000 RPM. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failed to release. The brake pedal was depressed several times within 15 seconds, and the engine stopped revving. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,250.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was being registered with the Department of Motor Vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was approximately 141,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 230,925.
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (18.5% rollover risk) |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (18.5% rollover risk) |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (18.5% rollover risk) |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 questions
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger air bag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (73), Air Bags (59), Structure (36).
How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 up to 4 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.