Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I got the code p2138 and I've had it inspected and throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly replaced. The problem is still not fixed. I lost power driving to work and heavy vibration and shaking. If I pull out in a turn and someone is coming up fast and this happens again it reduces my engine power and could cause a crash. Problem has been confirmed by a licensed mechanic, AutoZone, oreillys, and an independent mechanic. There was absolutely no warning this was gonna happen. It happened and I've spent $3,000 on replacement and labor costs trying to figure this out.
Engine power reduced warning keeps coming on. As well as stabilitrak and traction control turns off. Code p2138 pops up. I've spent over $1,000 trying to get this fixed because it is unsafe to drive it like that. It will be fixed for 1 or 2 weeks and then it's time to take it to the shop again. So many people have this issue.
Tthis vehicle was involved in 3 separate accidents, 1st another driver pulled out in front of the truck causing the accident; 2nd a driver fell asleep with his foot on the accelerator and rear ended me at about 90 MPH; 3rd an out state driver rear ended my son's car which was forced into the rear of my truck. The 3 accidents were severe enough that there should have been some type of air bag deployment but there was not. I notified GM immediately after the 1st accident about the failure of the air bags to deploy. I should mentioned that the driver's seat belt broke due the harshness of the accident. All this happened several years ago but GM never answered me nor took any action to investigate the failure of the air bags to deploy. …
December 2022, General Motors-Onstar system was deactivated in million of vehicles across America. This system was sold as a MAIN SAFETY and SECURITY system, integrated in millions of General Motor products was advertised as next generation Safety. This system allowed active subscribers the peace of mind that in the event of an emergency, they had us covered. motor vehicle collision detection for the event that you crashed, they could send first responders. If the vehicle was stolen, they had safe methods to locate and disable the vehicle. If you locked your keys in the vehicle with your child or pet, they could unlock it for you. In 2015 Canada "sunsetted" their 2G network which in turn would have disable Onstar for millions of Canadian vehicle owners across Canada. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact that stated that while driving at various speeds making a right turn, the vehicle seized for about 2-3 seconds which caused the contact to loss control of the steering wheel. The contact tried to depressed the brake pedal which traveled to the floorboard. Within a few seconds, the vehicle resumed back to normal as the contact regained control crashing into a telephone pole knocking it completely down. The air bag warning light illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed. No medical attention was contacted. The vehicle was towed to young vw Mazda 191 commerce park dr, easton, pa 18045 [phone] where it was diagnosed, however, unable to duplicate the issue. The technician replaced the front bumper. The failure recurred. …
Driver's side low beam headlight goes out. The lightbulb is in good order. The pigtail shows signs of excessive heat/small fire, plastic melting, carbon in the metal contact on the lightbulb and socket. The pigtail was replaced and lasted approximately one month to show the same issues. I am afraid of a vehicle fire. The vehicle's stabilitrack is unusable, the warning light is on. The issues happen while the vehicle is in motion and stationary. The issues happened suddenly during normal city/highway driving. The issues are ongoing and started six months ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power and the service traction control, stabilitrak, and engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to freeland Chevrolet (located at 5333 hickory hollow pkwy, antioch, tn) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new battery. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal position sensor was defective and needed to be replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power train control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,056. Consumer stated power train control module was defective.
Moving on highway 60mph and vehicle shut down with no warning. Vehicle had been driven to several locations previously and showed no difficulties in starting or unusual symptoms while running. Aaa towing service got truck to my home. Will not crank or start. It would not take a jump from aaa towing before they loaded it onto their truck. Incident occured on 04/08/2021 on U.S. Hwy 98 north, lakeland, fl.33810. Fortunately no traffic was behind me at the time. Vehicle sits in my driveway unrepaired. 89,775 miles on odometer.
Right headlight is in-operable. Light bulb has been replaced with oe bulb, light still does not work. Dealer stated this is an ongoing issue with this make and model. Dealer also stated I would need multiple hours of diagnostic to determine the issue. No accidents, no collisions. Vehicle at this time is unsafe to drive at night. Multiple dealers in my area have noted this as an issue for my make and model. Right low beam is completely in-operable.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Electrical complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 10% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.