Most common 2012 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2012 GMC Sierra recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Fuel system, diesel
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…
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.
What 2012 GMC Sierra owners say
Body & structure
Our GMC has experienced 3 exterior door handle failures. We paid to have the 1st broken handle repaired as it was not operable from the outside. This makes for a dangerous evacuation experience in the event of an emergency. We chose a non-dealer repair facility due to the cost of using a dealer. This repair has held up well. Since that initial repair 2 more exterior handles have become inoperable. It's only a matter of time before the 4th and final handle fails. This vehicle is no longer under warranty. However, it's only very lightly used and has less than 60K miles on it. A 75% door handle failure rate is unacceptable by anyone's standard. Due to the cost of the repairs we have not been able to fix these remaining 2 defective handles. GMC, bbb and north county GMC in escondido, ca have been of no assistance. We are always prepared to perform the required maintenance on our vehicles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the dashboard near the passenger side air bag was fractured. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the dashboard would be able to be replaced at a discounted price. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000. Updated 09/28/16
Steering
Just purchases new 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 , 400 miles , have had alignment / steering problems with a drift to left and a wondering steering wheel, also brake and ABS lights on, went to dealer they looked at it for 2 hrs, and said it needed a part ordered and there was a TSB on it, the tech said it would be safe to drive but I would not have ABS brakes, also he would check alignment again at time when part came in 4 days est, brake and ABS light remained on, vehicle drove fine the next day until a accident, went around curveat 55 MPH, applied brakes to slow, brakes went to floor un able to slow at all went off the road lost control and crashed into trees, both airbags deployed , went to emergency room with arm injury and rib injuries, brand new truck very scarry I will never buy a GM poduct again.
The fuel injection pump cp4 had a catastrophic failure as I was driving on a heavily traveled four lane highway, us rt.20. I lost power steering and brakes. I felt fortunate that I was not towing a 16,000 lb. Fifth wheel camper down a mountain road.I say this because it was extremely difficult to maintain control over the truck steering it and bringing it to a controlled stop. I have read about these pumps failing on numerous diesel Ford and GM trucks. I also feel if a woman or small person had this happen to them the outcome could end in loss of control resulting in injuries even deaths. The only one that knows the actual number of pumps that have failed is the manufacturers, who will not share that information willingly.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power which resulted in a front end collision with a guardrail. When the failure occurred, all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be operated after the crash. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Check engine light illuminated. Took truck to local Chevrolet dealer for repair and they discovered the wires had been chewed through. I read that GM uses peanut oil on wires in order to install them easier. Looks like this attracted a mouse, squirrel, chipmunk, or other creature and it chewed the wires. Luckily it did not affect the operation of the truck but it could have LED to a short circuit that could have caused a fire. I feel this needs to be thoroughly investigated. And GM needs to create some kind of animal repellant to spray on the wires after vehicle assembly.
2012 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 14 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Sierra rates better than average: 61% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 GMC Sierra?
The body & structure — 8 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the steering (7) and electrical system (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Sierra have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra, the most recent from December 30, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 36,000 miles; 64% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.