Is the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500 reliable?

The 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500 has 146 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (42 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (38 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500 is approximately $1,536/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500

Q: Is the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500 often stolen?

The Gmc SIERRA 1500 was the #16 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 6,300 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500 has 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 472. The most common issue is air bags problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: interior upper dash cracked at 11,000. always garaged. known issue with '07-'13 gm trucks. potential damage to passenger air bag upon inflation. due to sharp corners on crack the airbag could be damaged or become inoperative due to a puncture upon inflation.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 1 injury

146

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

42 complaints

29%

• INTERIOR UPPER DASH CRACKED AT 11,000. ALWAYS GARAGED. KNOWN ISSUE WITH '07-'13 GM TRUCKS. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO PASSENGER AIR BAG UPON INFLATION. DUE TO SHARP CORNERS ON CRACK THE AIRBAG COULD BE DAMAGED OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO A PUNCTURE UPON INFLATION.
• I NOTICED GETTING INTO MY TRUCK TODAY THAT I HAD CRACKS IN MY DASH IN TWO SPOTS. ONE CRACK IS ABOVE MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE OTHER IS ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE, RUNNING TO WHERE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FROM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A TREND T
• THIS TRUCK IS FOUR YEARS OLD, HAS 30,000 MILES, IS GARAGE KEPT (NEVER PARKED IN THE SUN) AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED NEAR THE AIR BAG AREA. I AM CONCERNED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CRACKED DASH.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“INTERIOR UPPER DASH CRACKED AT 11,000. ALWAYS GARAGED. KNOWN ISSUE WITH '07-'13 GM TRUCKS. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO PASSENGER AIR BAG UPON INFLATION. DUE TO SHARP CORNERS ON CRACK THE AIRBAG COULD BE DAMAGED OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO A PUNCTURE UPON INFLATION.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500

Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 73K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Later than typicalmedian 65K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 101K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

EQUIPMENT26/04/2018

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.

Above-average theft risk

#16 most stolen in 2025

The Gmc SIERRA 1500 was the #16 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Full-size truck; parts demand

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Gmc SIERRA 1500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,536

Full coverage / month

$128

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1536

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc SIERRA 1500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"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.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2012 SIERRA 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 146 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: INTERIOR UPPER DASH CRACKED AT 11,000. ALWAYS GARAGED. KNOWN ISSUE WITH '07-'13 GM TRUCKS. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO PASSENGER AIR BAG UPON INFLATION. DUE TO SHARP CORNERS ON CRACK THE AIRBAG COULD BE DAMAGED OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO A PUNCTURE UPON INFLATION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: INTERIOR UPPER DASH CRACKED AT 11,000. ALWAYS GARAGED. KNOWN ISSUE WITH '07-'13 GM TRUCKS. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO PASSENGER AIR BAG UPON INFLATION. DUE TO SHARP CORNERS ON CRACK THE AIRBAG COULD BE DAMAGED OR BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO A PUNCTURE UPON INFLATION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: THIS TRUCK IS FOUR YEARS OLD, HAS 30,000 MILES, IS GARAGE KEPT (NEVER PARKED IN THE SUN) AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED NEAR THE AIR BAG AREA. I AM CONCERNED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CRACKED DASH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SEWAGE ODOR EMITTED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABIN FILTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)