Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My dash on my 2012 Suburban cracked within 4 years of its manufactured date and it just keeps getting worse. If there were an accident it is so dry and cracked it will through hard plastic into the driver and passengers. I know of many other same and similar year models that have the same issue. Now that there is a passenger-side airbag recall would be the perfect time for GM to step up and fix this obvious flaw.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle's front doors were equipped with a plastic part on the inside of the door, which assisted with the doors being able to securely close. The contact stated that the part number for the driver side was 84053434 and 84053436 for the passenger side. The parts detached from the vehicle, causing the doors not to close properly and remain closed. The contact called autonation Chevrolet amarillo (2200 I-40 east, amarillo, tx 79103; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the door handles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that due to the vehicle exceeding the warranty mileage, they were unable to provide a free repair. The manufacturer opened case number: 8/339/520-5303. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Takata recall dash cracked at passanger side airbag. After research online I found this is a common problem and Chevy will not take responsibility for it. I have friends that have the same dashes in same year model in 2 silverado's 1 Suburban and 1 tahoe and all have cracked in the same spot. The Suburban dash was replaced under warranty and cracked again. My dealer said it was old and not under warranty so thwy will not fix it. My vehical dash cracked right out of warranty and has been taken very good care of. I do not expect a $52,000 vehical to have a dash crack and Chevy not to stand behind their product. They have a problem in the structure of the dash and need to take responsibility and fix it. It concerns me since the crack is at the air bag. I am not sure if when the air bag deploys it could bring a piece kf the dash with it.
I got in my car Saturday morning, October 1 and noticed 2 cracks on the driver's side of my dash board. Upon research I have discovered this is not an isolated incident. I am concerned about the safety of having this get larger and exposing electrical/mechnical components and the sharp edges of the cracked plastic should an accident occur. When I contacted Chevrolet they explained to me that they couldn't help because I am not the first owner of the vehicle which is really irrelevant when you have a whole fleet of vehicles experiencing this problem.
I have 2012 Chevy Suburban 1500 lt. The rear tailgate unlock and lock intermittently causing the manual liftgate to stay ajar or stay lock. There is no manual release or key access. It only unlocks and lock by keyfob. On one occasion, the liftgate opened without noticed while driving prompting the car alert. It was then closed and the liftgate stayed in the lock position (unable to unlock with keyfob) after diagnosis at a local GMC dealer, it was determined that the rear liftgate lock actuator failed. The repair was in excess of $400.00
There are 2 large cracks on the dashboard one running longitudinally on axis of steering column and another spreading forward toward driver side on forward driver corner of passenger airbag cutout radiused corner. I was warned after I purchased vehicle that it was a safety hazard in event of airbag deployment. I am reporting the date as the date I purchased vehical but crack was present prior to that date for an undetermined period of time.
Interior driver door handle "grab bar" is broken. Rigid plastic pieces under the upholstery broke and now the handle is falling apart and loose. This is an integral part of the armrest. Handle broke using normal closing force, and apparently this is a large, well known problem. Chevrolet has no repair for this problem other than replacing the whole interior door panel and the cost is around $600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a loud pop that came from the dashboard. The contact observed that there was a large crack on the front passenger side dashboard near the air bag. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,553.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the passenger side dashboard fractured. The fracture span across the passenger side air bag housing and above the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 19,152.
Went to put my shoes on and I saw that my front end of my truck was on fire .it had been 15 hours since I had driven the truck . There were flames coming out of the front passagner side on the grill. And engulfed the front end of my truck.
Body complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, 23% of the model year's 101 complaints. The component named most often is body (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Suburban body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 4 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 Suburban body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to body & structure 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.