2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 has 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 101. The most common issue is fuel system problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle would not start. when they put it on scope they found that the fuel rail pressure was to low. they found metal shavings throughout the fuel system as if a part was coming apart from the inside. they had to replace entire fuel system from pump to injectors plus all the lines and injection . There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
69
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
FUEL SYSTEM
10 complaints- • VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHEN THEY PUT IT ON SCOPE THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE WAS TO LOW. THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AS IF A PART WAS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM PUMP TO INJECTORS PLUS ALL THE LINES AND INJECTION
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE
- • I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY ROAD WHEN MY VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER, I RECEIVED A WARNING FROM MY DASHBOARD SAYING FUEL FILTER NEEDS REPLACING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED IN NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND GOT IT TO THE SIDE O
“VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHEN THEY PUT IT ON SCOPE THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE WAS TO LOW. THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AS IF A PART WAS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM PUMP TO INJECTORS PLUS ALL THE LINES AND INJECTION ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
Based on 47 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 70K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
OTHER
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2012 SILVERADO 2500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 69 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHEN THEY PUT IT ON SCOPE THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE WAS TO LOW. THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AS IF A PART WAS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM FROM PUMP TO INJECTORS PLUS ALL THE LINES AND INJECTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REDUNDANT PRESSURE SENSOR CIRCUIT WAS SHORTED AND INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL, OVER YEAR AGO HAVE CALLED ANCHORAGE CAR DEALER 3 TIMES TO FIX BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL RECEIVE. WE LIVE 200 MILES FROM A DEALER THE DIAG. MODULE ALSO HAS RECALL WOULD LIKE BOTH FIXED AT SAME TIME SO WHEN WILL PARTS BE IN FOR AIRBAGS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW 30 DEGREES THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT AND THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THAT BOTH WARNING LIGHTS DO THAT BELOW 28 DEGREES. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE 2013 WINTER. GLOW PLUGS GOING OUT ONE AT TIME GM WILL ONLY REPLACE AS THEY GO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 101
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500