2012 GMC Sierra 3500 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

4 safety recalls on file

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA.

The most-reported problem area is Engine (3 reports).

4Recalls
9Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Sierra 3500?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2012 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls

Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments

Recall 21V051Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehicles affected

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

Recall 21V054Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehicles affected

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.

Fire extinguisher may clog or fail to discharge in a fire

Recall 18V267Apr 26, 20186,154 vehicles affected

Certain plastic-handle or push-button fire extinguishers installed in these vehicles may become clogged, so the extinguisher may not discharge as expected or may require excessive force to activate.

Fuel Tank May Overfill and Leak, Creating Fire Risk

Recall 17V664Oct 19, 201735,292 vehicles affected

A low fuel level sensor in the front fuel tank of these trucks may stick, causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Most common 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Engine3
Power Train3
Electrical System2
Fuel System, Diesel2
Unknown Or Other2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Service Brakes1
Air Bags1

What owners report

2026-01-08, Unknown Or Other
Our Dash board cracked very badly from the top next to the speaker to the passenger side air bag. We purposely use a dash board cover and never place heavy things on it. This is a safety issue as if getting in an accident wouldn’t be bad enough flying shrapnel would be worse. We just had it fixed at a dealership to the tune of $2500. This is not okay as I see this is a constant problem.
2022-03-03, Service Brakes
The service brakes lights has come on a d disabled my brake controller. This is a safety issue while towing and completely unacceptable.
2017-10-11, Unknown Or Other
THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD WHILE IN REGENERATION MODE FUNNELS EXHAUST DIRECTLY INTO THE CAB THROUGH THE VENTS. WHILE GM RECOGNIZED THIS AS A FLAW AND CAME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT, THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR IT IN A 5 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WINDOW. HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION?
2017-02-07, Power Train
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. WHILE GOING UP A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR WHILE GOING 60 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES (THEY HAVE IT ON FILE) THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY UNDERSTAND BUT SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
2015-02-06, Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD TO HIGHER GEAR. THIS STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. *JS

2012 GMC Sierra 3500 questions

Does the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500: Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger air bag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Fire extinguisher may clog or fail to discharge in a fire; Fuel Tank May Overfill and Leak, Creating Fire Risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500?

Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (3), Power Train (3), Electrical System (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 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.

Other GMC Sierra 3500 years

Other 2012 GMC models