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 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated repairs, it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced due to rust. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic while awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 129,181.
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that during a vehicle inspection, the contact was informed that the sub frame was severely corroded with holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Vehicle has just over 113,000 miles and the frame is already severely compromised due to rust. Nearly all factory coating is gone. I believe the sub par wax like coating that GM used from the factory was never intended to last anywhere near or over 100,000 miles. I have personally inspected numerous 2007-2013 GMT900 trucks in or around ohio and have found similar severe rust issues. All vehicles inspected were between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. The rust issues are the worst in the areas directly in front of the rear axle where the frame drops. Nearly every vehicle inspected has structure compromising rust in this area. GMT900 platform vehicles with rust issues in this area are unsafe to be on the road, yet they remain popular in multiple service industries and are frequently seen pulling trailers. …
The dash cover panel over the instrument cluster and passenger side airbag has cracked and has begun to come apart in pieces. I have contacted a local dealer and they have informed me the recall on the passenger side airbag replacement does not cover replacement of the cracked dash cover. The dash cover has begun to produce large jagged pieces where it has cracked that in my view pose a safety threat should an accident occur. The failing dash could produce shrapnel in an accident that could cause serious face lacerations or eye trauma. GM needs to provide a replacement recall on the dash panel.
I took My 2012 GMC Sierra with 112,410 miles in for annual safety inspection and was told that my frame has a hole in it and is cracked, hence un-inspectable in the state of Vermont. I then took it to a welding shop to get an estimate on repair and the tech told me he sees this all the time on this era GM/Chevy trucks. This is clearly a widespread incident and GM should be held accountable like Toyota was years ago with its bad frames.O
I went to get the vehicle inspected today and was told it failed due to the chassis frame in the rear being rusted thru. This could cause the suspension to collapse any time. I see on the internet that multiple others have and are experiencing the same with the Sierra and Silverado. My vehicle has unlimited washes and has been washed 40 times a year and looks new from the outside.
The cracks in my dash will be a safety issue when the air bags deploy. I can't believe that gmc hasn't done a recall on these dashes yet. During the airbag recall they will crack the dash even worse making this problem extremely dangerous. It has the potential to cause loss of life. Also on the other hand this devalues the resale price of the car.
Major major frame and wheel well rust , ever one I see is exactly the same , I live in upstate ny and yes we use salt but I've done a lot of research and the problem is country wide , please do some things this isn't right , I'm not trying to get a new free truck , just not get screwed out of the one I have cause it will fail inspection soon
$17,000 worth of damage on my GMC all airbags went off minus the driver side steering wheel airbag. Was on cruise control at 75 miles per hour fell asleep at wheel ran into the barrier wires. Damage all over the truck 360underneath the truck luckily nobody was injured except for my own body. I lost consciousness the OnStar woke me up and I crawled out of the wreckage meeting the highway patrol. It's been just over four years I'm still feeling the effects of the injury.
While driving the truck on a country road, it started to pull towards the right. I tried to correct by steering to the left. My steering wheel just spun and had no control of the front wheels. Ithe steering shaft became disengage from the axel. I crashed into trees and my truck was declared a total loss. This happened on 9/27/2020. I am waiting for the police report and the inspection results from the insurance company.
Body complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, 20% of the model year's 107 complaints. The component named most often is body (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 3 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 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.