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2012 GMC Sierra Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2012 GMC Sierra, and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
29
owner complaints to NHTSA
4 / 2
complaints citing a crash / fire
14–21
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Ignition (electrical system)

    NHTSA 14V827000 Reported 84,192 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006…

  2. Fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 13V615000 Reported 9,733 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate…

    Remedy: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30,…

29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2012 GMC Sierra have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 36,645 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 10 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“2012 GMC sierra. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side AIRBAG safety recall. The consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 4, 2021 · Air bags

“While driving at normal highway speed, truck shut off except for the lights. Lost powers steering, brakes etc. Once i got the truck pulled over and stopped, attempted to restart. Was unable to do so u”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 8, 2016 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2012 GMC Sierra (Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD, Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD, Sierra C15 2WD, Sierra C15 XFE 2WD, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined14–21 mpg
City / Highway12–20 / 18–23
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine6/8 cyl, 4.3/4.8/5.3/6/6.2 L
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios); Automatic 4-spd; Automatic 6-spd

Compare GMC Sierra model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Sierra model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1976 GMC Sierra02
1977 GMC Sierra02
1982 GMC Sierra01
1983 GMC Sierra02
1987 GMC Sierra01
1988 GMC Sierra16
1989 GMC Sierra116
1990 GMC Sierra118
1991 GMC Sierra112
1992 GMC Sierra330
1993 GMC Sierra272
1994 GMC Sierra3190
1995 GMC Sierra6261
1996 GMC Sierra2246
1997 GMC Sierra0238
1998 GMC Sierra0190
1999 GMC Sierra5600
2000 GMC Sierra8443
2001 GMC Sierra4264
2002 GMC Sierra4249
2003 GMC Sierra6206
2004 GMC Sierra7188
2005 GMC Sierra9117
2006 GMC Sierra453
2007 GMC Sierra259
2008 GMC Sierra268
2009 GMC Sierra137
2010 GMC Sierra034
2011 GMC Sierra243
2012 GMC Sierra229
2013 GMC Sierra339
2014 GMC Sierra11101
2015 GMC Sierra653
2016 GMC Sierra26
2017 GMC Sierra061

Checking a specific 2012 GMC Sierra

How do I know if my 2012 GMC Sierra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2012 GMC Sierra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 13V615000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other GMC models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.