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2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems & Owner Complaints

48 NHTSA owner complaints
4 crash 2 fire

Age-normalised, this year draws ~3.2 complaints per year on the road — ranking 2 of 2 GMC Sierra 1500 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Structure is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, cited in 10 of 48 filed complaints (21%).

Electrical System is next (9 complaints, 19%), followed by Steering (7), Air Bags (6), Engine (6).

Across all complaints, 4 report a crash, 2 report a fire.

The most safety-critical cluster is Structure: 2 fire report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 48.

Structure 10 2 fire

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT JUST WENT DEAD, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NO NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PLACE AND AT SOME POINT, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT PAID ME FOR MY LOSS BUT RATHER HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO INVESTIGATE ME PERSONALLY, LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT PAY. SO, I'VE BEEN MAKING TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. AS A RESULT, I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10575697, 2013 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER FOR HEADLIGHT DEFECT AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. DROVE TRUCK BACK TO SITE AND WHILE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED THE ENTIRE TRUCK BECAME ENGULFED AND COMPLETELY BURNED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10480914, 2012 · fire

“DASH CRACKS EVERYWHERE, ALL ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE CRACKING. NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN USING A UN U.V PROTECTED PLASTIC.”
NHTSA complaint #11395692, 2021

Unknown Or Other 10

“They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able travel long trips or haul stuff in bed or a trailer with breaking or falling off truck causing wreck frame repair is major…”
NHTSA complaint #11739589, 2026

“DASH CRACKS EVERYWHERE, ALL ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE CRACKING. NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN USING A UN U.V PROTECTED PLASTIC.”
NHTSA complaint #11395692, 2021

“THE DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BY THE AIR BAG. UNSURE WHEN IT ACCORDED. NOTICED IT WAS MAKING A SOUND AND IN 2 WEEKS HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE”
NHTSA complaint #11181089, 2019

Electrical System 9 1 crash 1 fire

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER FOR HEADLIGHT DEFECT AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. DROVE TRUCK BACK TO SITE AND WHILE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED THE ENTIRE TRUCK BECAME ENGULFED AND COMPLETELY BURNED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10480914, 2012 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10810661, 2015 · crash

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 243,000. The Carfax Report indicated that the vehicle was serviced at 149,000 and 179,000 miles, then registered at 149,000 and 179,000 miles on August 8, 2024. The contact had filed a police report with the Dillon Police Department -Special Ops Police Department.”
NHTSA complaint #11682085, 2025

Steering 7 1 crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10451590, 2012 · crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10681960, 2014

“I HAVE GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A 265 60R20 TIRES ON MY SIERRA DENALI HD 2500. I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM NC VIA I-95 AND PULLED OVER SO MY WIFE COULD NURSE OUR 3 WEEK OLD. ME AND THE BOYS WENT IN K-MART FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING AND GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS PULLING BAD RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VERY BADLY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT THE ADDITIONAL 30 MILES BACK HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK THE NEXT MORNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WAS TOO BAD TO CONTINUE ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES WOULD BE CO…”
NHTSA complaint #10662321, 2014

Air Bags 6 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10502079, 2012 · crash

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11419608, 2021

“DASH CRACKS EVERYWHERE, ALL ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE CRACKING. NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN USING A UN U.V PROTECTED PLASTIC.”
NHTSA complaint #11395692, 2021

Engine 6 2 fire

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT JUST WENT DEAD, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NO NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PLACE AND AT SOME POINT, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT PAID ME FOR MY LOSS BUT RATHER HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO INVESTIGATE ME PERSONALLY, LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT PAY. SO, I'VE BEEN MAKING TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. AS A RESULT, I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10575697, 2013 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER FOR HEADLIGHT DEFECT AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. DROVE TRUCK BACK TO SITE AND WHILE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED THE ENTIRE TRUCK BECAME ENGULFED AND COMPLETELY BURNED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10480914, 2012 · fire

“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT 50 60 OR ANY SPEED - THE TACHOMETER JUMPS AND THE CAR SURGES FEELS LIKE IT GOING TO STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11022752, 2017

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Service Brakes 6 2 crash

“PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING NO MORE THAN 3 MILES PER HOUR, OR HOWEVER FAST THIS VEHICLE CAN GO WHILE FOOT IS RESTING ON BRAKE, GETTING READY TO FULLY BRAKE. AS I PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SLIPPED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO DRIVE FORWARD CRASHING THROUGH THE SHEETROCK WALL AND FINALLY STOPPING AFTER HITTING THE GLASS WINDOWS. TWO WEEKS LATER, AFTER ALL COSMETIC REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING IN ANOTHER PARKING LOT, BUT LUCKILY BROKE BEFORE HITTING THE CURB AND LIGHT POST. I DID FEEL UNDER MY…”
NHTSA complaint #10615633, 2014 · crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10451590, 2012 · crash

“I PURCHASED A 2012 GMC SIERRA DENALI FROM STAHL MOTORS IN MONTEREY, CA IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY SOLD ME A COMPLETELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE, WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN. MY TRUCK DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I WILL MENTION JUST THE MAIN ONES. THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT THE REAR BRAKES HOOKED UP. THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR CALIPERS WERE CAPPED OFF BY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN THE MECHANIC SHOP DISCOVERED…”
NHTSA complaint #10760875, 2015

Power Train 4

“They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able travel long trips or haul stuff in bed or a trailer with breaking or falling off truck causing wreck frame repair is major…”
NHTSA complaint #11739589, 2026

“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 UNTIL THE 4TH ATTEMPT DURING A 5 MINUTES TIME SPAN. ONCE STARTED, APPEARED TO BE RUNNING FINE EXCEPT FOR THE MIL ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WAS LIT.”
NHTSA complaint #10854466, 2016

“I PURCHASED A 2012 GMC SIERRA DENALI FROM STAHL MOTORS IN MONTEREY, CA IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY SOLD ME A COMPLETELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE, WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN. MY TRUCK DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I WILL MENTION JUST THE MAIN ONES. THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT THE REAR BRAKES HOOKED UP. THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR CALIPERS WERE CAPPED OFF BY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN THE MECHANIC SHOP DISCOVERED…”
NHTSA complaint #10760875, 2015

Suspension 3 1 crash

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10451590, 2012 · crash

“They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able travel long trips or haul stuff in bed or a trailer with breaking or falling off truck causing wreck frame repair is major…”
NHTSA complaint #11739589, 2026

“I PURCHASED A 2012 GMC SIERRA DENALI FROM STAHL MOTORS IN MONTEREY, CA IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY SOLD ME A COMPLETELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE, WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN. MY TRUCK DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET LOOKED AT. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I WILL MENTION JUST THE MAIN ONES. THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT THE REAR BRAKES HOOKED UP. THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR CALIPERS WERE CAPPED OFF BY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN THE MECHANIC SHOP DISCOVERED…”
NHTSA complaint #10760875, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2 1 crash

“PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE GOING NO MORE THAN 3 MILES PER HOUR, OR HOWEVER FAST THIS VEHICLE CAN GO WHILE FOOT IS RESTING ON BRAKE, GETTING READY TO FULLY BRAKE. AS I PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SLIPPED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO DRIVE FORWARD CRASHING THROUGH THE SHEETROCK WALL AND FINALLY STOPPING AFTER HITTING THE GLASS WINDOWS. TWO WEEKS LATER, AFTER ALL COSMETIC REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING IN ANOTHER PARKING LOT, BUT LUCKILY BROKE BEFORE HITTING THE CURB AND LIGHT POST. I DID FEEL UNDER MY…”
NHTSA complaint #10615633, 2014 · crash

“APPARENTLY GM USES PEANUT OIL TO LUBRICATE WIRING SO THEY CAN MORE EASILY INSULATE, ETC (ACCORGING TO THE GM DEALER). THIS ATTRACTS RATS AND MICE WHICH CHEW UP THE WIRING - POTENTIALLY IMPACTING SENSORS AND OTHER ITEMS CONTROLLING CRUISE, STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANY NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS THAT THE DRIVER MAY BE RELYING UPON FOR SAFETY. I ACTUALLY HAD MAP SENSOR WIRES CHEWED UP THAT DISABLED MY STABILITY/TRACTION SYSTEMS AND INHIBITED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY RATHER THAN ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NOT WARRANTY ITEM EVEN THOUGH CAUS…”
NHTSA complaint #10491437, 2013

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK UP A 6% PERCENT GRADE WHEN THE CHANGE FUEL FILTER SOON WARNING POPPED UP, ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, I KEPT DRIVING TO TRY AND GET OVER THE HILL SO I COULD MAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAKE IT ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER THE WARNING SHOWED UP BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. (THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON MY SIDE THE ROAD SO I TRIED TO TURN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY PULL OUT AND AS I DID THE TRUCK DIED SIDEWAYS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF…”
NHTSA complaint #11296896, 2019

“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT 50 60 OR ANY SPEED - THE TACHOMETER JUMPS AND THE CAR SURGES FEELS LIKE IT GOING TO STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11022752, 2017

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA K-1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AS THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 35 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS RESOLVED MOMENTARILY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT SOON RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WHERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. KMJ”
NHTSA complaint #10521476, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AND ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD THUMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,545. UPDATED 13/13/12 *CN”
NHTSA complaint #10481134, 2012

Wheels 2 1 fire

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT JUST WENT DEAD, NO ENGINE, NO ELECTRIC, NO NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PLACE AND AT SOME POINT, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT PAID ME FOR MY LOSS BUT RATHER HAS GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO INVESTIGATE ME PERSONALLY, LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT PAY. SO, I'VE BEEN MAKING TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS. AS A RESULT, I AM STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10575697, 2013 · fire

“I HAVE GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A 265 60R20 TIRES ON MY SIERRA DENALI HD 2500. I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM NC VIA I-95 AND PULLED OVER SO MY WIFE COULD NURSE OUR 3 WEEK OLD. ME AND THE BOYS WENT IN K-MART FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING AND GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS PULLING BAD RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VERY BADLY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT THE ADDITIONAL 30 MILES BACK HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK THE NEXT MORNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WAS TOO BAD TO CONTINUE ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES WOULD BE CO…”
NHTSA complaint #10662321, 2014

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,200. ..UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF UPDATED 05/07/12”
NHTSA complaint #10451290, 2012

Equipment 1

“2012 GMC DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VERY BAD PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHENEVER HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN, HE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL OVER THE ABILITY TO TURN. THE WHEEL LOCKED DOWN WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO TURN AT THE SAME TIME. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN UNTIL HE PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR OR RELEASED THE BRAKE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER BOOSTER TAKING ALL THE POWER TO THE BRAKES AND LEAVING VERY LITTLE TO THE STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK-UP SCREEN. THE PICTURE WAS EXTREMELY DARK,…”
NHTSA complaint #10549145, 2013

Exterior Lighting 1 1 fire

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GMC DEALER FOR HEADLIGHT DEFECT AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. DROVE TRUCK BACK TO SITE AND WHILE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED THE ENTIRE TRUCK BECAME ENGULFED AND COMPLETELY BURNED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10480914, 2012 · fire

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“PASSANGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UPON CLOSING OF THE DOOR. DOOR HANDLE PULL CLEAR FROM THE DOOR. WINDOW CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN AND INTERNAL DOOR HANDLE IS INOPERABLE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10592397, 2014

Tires 1

“I HAVE GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A 265 60R20 TIRES ON MY SIERRA DENALI HD 2500. I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM NC VIA I-95 AND PULLED OVER SO MY WIFE COULD NURSE OUR 3 WEEK OLD. ME AND THE BOYS WENT IN K-MART FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING AND GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS PULLING BAD RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VERY BADLY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT THE ADDITIONAL 30 MILES BACK HOME. WHEN I STARTED THE TRUCK THE NEXT MORNING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WAS TOO BAD TO CONTINUE ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE TIRES WOULD BE CO…”
NHTSA complaint #10662321, 2014

Visibility 1

“PASSANGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UPON CLOSING OF THE DOOR. DOOR HANDLE PULL CLEAR FROM THE DOOR. WINDOW CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN AND INTERNAL DOOR HANDLE IS INOPERABLE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10592397, 2014

Visibility/Wiper 1

“PURCHASE A NEW 2012 GMC SIERRA SLE ON 07/26/12. AS I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS, IT REQUIRES THAT I USE THE DEFOG/DEFROST. ON THE MORNING OF THE 28TH I SELECTED THE DEFOG/DEFROST AND ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE CLEARED. THINKING IT MAY BE ISOLATED, I RECEIVED THE SAME RESULT ON THE 29TH. I CALLED THE SELLING DEALER ABOUT ANOTHER MATTER AND MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 9TH THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AND TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS OPERATING AS NORMAL AND THE DEALER TESTED TWO OTHER NEW TRUCKS. STILL NOT HAPPY WITH THE ANSWER, I CALLED GMC. THEY SETUP SERVICE AT ANOTHE…”
NHTSA complaint #10472081, 2012

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 draws about 3.2 complaints per year on the road, ranking 2 of 2 among the GMC Sierra 1500 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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