Model year guide

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 673 on record.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints284
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Typical price$21,119

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls 2

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V054000 · 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Ch…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notific…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V051000 · 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Nort…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notific…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

What's a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 worth?

Low
$13,100
Typical price
$21,119
High
$28,000

From 664 comparable 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trims & engines on record

Trims
LT · LTZ · Work Truck · LS · Work Truck/Fleet/Base
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model years

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Based on 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, structure, engine.

What is the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

How much is a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 worth?

Comparable 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings run roughly $13,100–$28,000, typically around $21,119 (from 664 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.