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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,597 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Comments

problem #20

Jul 152022

Silverado 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving down interstate my transmission just went out down shifted almost causing someone to hit me from behind after some research I learned gmc vehicles have been having this problem for the last 10 years but yet keep using the same transmissions it's not right the money they selling these vehicles for and we the little people have to pay for them knowing the problem but not caring just one man's opinion guess that how the rich get richer

- Scott, LA, USA

problem #19

Jan 252022

Silverado 1500

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission disengaged upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle then went into limp mode. The contact was able to slowly drive the vehicle home. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where metal shavings were discovered in the transmission reservoir. The mechanic informed the contact that unless the transmission was replaced, the transmission would fail. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #18

Jul 012019

Silverado 1500

  • 159,000 miles
Traction goes off. Steering wheel locks up and engine shuts off after all the warning lights come on. Your no longer able to pick up speed or steer the truck.

- Live Oak, TX, USA

problem #17

Oct 132020

Silverado 1500

  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and reduced engine power message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle decelerated independently to 30 mph and failed to exceed 30 mph. The contact stated that the brakes malfunctioned while attempting to pull over. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The engine revved up and lunged forward when the vehicle was shifted to drive. The vehicle was slowly driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure may be related to the throttle position sensor or the accelerator pedal sensor. The dealer steve smith country (6372 w sunset springdale, ar 72762, (479)361-4654 stated that the VIN was not under recall but acknowledged other models had the same issue. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Springville, AR, USA

problem #16

Apr 152019

Silverado 1500

  • 130,000 miles
My truck has been having issue after issue with sensors going bad and check enginge light always coming on. Now I have a transmission issue with a solenoid going bad. The transmission has had the "clunk" as people discribe it since I purchased it. Nothing was wrong with it so I was told and that was normal. There are so many complaints on this year and make Silverado its pretty sad that nothing has been done. Now my truck sits and still paying the note because of this transmission issue that a ton of people have reported. How many thigs do I have to change before the check engine light stops coming on. Please help all of us who own a Chevy and have GM make this right.

- Belle Rose, LA, USA

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problem #15

Aug 312018

Silverado 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,056 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power and the service traction control, stabilitrak, and engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to freeland Chevrolet (located at 5333 hickory hollow pkwy, antioch, tn) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new battery. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal position sensor was defective and needed to be replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power train control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,056. Consumer stated power train control module was defective.

- Smyrna, TN, USA

problem #14

Nov 272017

Silverado 1500 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission---truck has never been abused. Will not go forward went put into drive. Has fluid. Will go into reverse. Pulled out of drive-way to go to the store. Went to a stop sign and it would not move. Had to push it back home. The consumer stated the transmission needed to be replaced.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #13

Mar 162016

Silverado 1500

  • miles
I fought GM on this for 7 months. And did so 30 days from my purchase date. When I slow down my truck makes a horrible clunking noise. And will rev up in a sense and push you forward. Most of the time it's only probably a food but other times I has caused me to go through stop signs. Luckily no one is there but I fear that when I have my fiance and 3 kids in the truck I may get pushed forward and T boned. Or I may go into someone in front of me. Or into a fence. And they say it's normal every time. But it's getting worse and my thing is is if it's normal.. then it's a serious issue. I have read reviews about other people having the same issue. This should be recalled. It's not safe and definitely not practical. They say it has something to do with my 6 speed. But I fought GM and he place I bought it from for months and months. Starting from repairs on my truck that was promised to be fixed to this transmission issue and them claiming they fixed it with some sensor. Then lying saying they never fixed anything when GM questioned them. Luckily I had someone that worked there that felt bad for me so he gave me all the info I needed. All in all GM ended up giving me a bumper to bumper GM warranty for 4yrs. For a problem they claim was normal. That's generous of them. But it's getting worse and I'm scared for my families safety.

- Clinton, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 282016

Silverado 1500

  • 170,000 miles
At 170208 miles the cam went out while driving it on a city street it started tapping lifters, I took it directly to repair shop for inspection and a new motor has to be put in. I bought this vehicle one year ago at 139171 miles with powertrain assurance with apg Corp. But no one wants to cover it now that it has issues. Even with regular maintenance.

- Clarksville, AR, USA

problem #11

Oct 182015

Silverado 1500

  • 100,361 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving at 70 mph, the gear shifted independently and various warning lights illuminated prior to the transmission failing. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,361.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #10

May 302014

Silverado 1500 8-cyl

  • 11,768 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife parked the truck in the driveway just outside of our attached garage. She left the vehicle running because she was unloading groceries and had another errand to run. While she was inside the house the vehicle started moving. One of our children that was outside saw this occurring and started to scream that the truck was moving. My wife ran in an attempt to get in the vehicle and stop it before it hit the wall. She was unsuccessful and the truck crashed into the wall that separates the garage and the family room cause damage to the wall and door that leads into the house. My wife states that when she got inside the truck it was still in park. The truck only suffered a small dent. My wife was extremely shaken up. I will be taking the truck in on May 31,2014 to [xxx] in miamisburg, Ohio. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 042012

Silverado 1500

  • 135 miles
I bought my 2012 Texas edition Silverado August 4, 2012 the transmission started responding abnormal immediately after leaving the dealership it had 135 miles on it before I bought it I have 32K miles now and nothing has change all the same issues but they seem to be getting worst. My transmission has a hard time shifting no matter what, up, down, turn, forward all normal driving maneuvers. When it does try and shift the engine clatters which is extremely ridiculous I've had several Silverado's and the last one that clatter this way was a 1978 with probably over 300,000(expected). My transmission does as stated by others the coming to a stop sign and applying the brakes the truck will launch forward unexpectedly and shift extremely hard this is the first new vehicle I've ever bought the last 4 were all Silverado from 78-94 and they didn't do this. This truck also wears the outer edge of my tres no matter how many alignments and balance and rotating I get done. You may say your tire your fault but I've looked at over 40 2012 Silverado's in parking lots and saw the exact same wear pattern the owners are probably not the type to check or care. The biggest concern is the $30,000 I paid for this thing and expected it to run for the next 20 years but I'm at less than 2 years and it feels like the transmission and engine are going to jump out and fly through an intersection leaving me at a green light. If I were to let any Chevy "big shot" drive this for 1 week as their daily driver (it's my daily) they would probably stop driving it on day 1 and ask me how I've done it for almost 2 years. My reply would be I don't have the money to get another one and you "big shot" need to get this fixed. Active duty military (no money) over worked under paid. Took my savings bought a truck that I waited 23 years to buy and then the thing is in worst shape than the 1994 extendedcab I had.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

May 132014

Silverado 1500

  • 11,000 miles
Parked facing upslope. The truck slipped out of park gear and rolled downhill backwards, knocking over owner. Finally hit a tree and stopped. Insurance declared it totaled.

- Accord, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 282012

Silverado 1500

  • 1 miles
This fault has been present since the first week of owning my 2012 Silverado crew cab lt equipped with the 5.3 liter and 6 speed transmission. Upon slowing to a stop, the truck surges and lunges forward as the transmission downshifts between gears, and is most noticeable when traveling up or down hills. The failure mode can be technically described as the following sequence of events: 1. slowing to a stop (coasting), engine begins riding out 4th gear (for example). 2. apply brakes; transmission downshifts to 3rd, and engine rpms increase to compensate for dynamics of shifting. Torque converter immediately engages the engine to the wheels. As the engine is at a high RPM level, an accelerating load is applied to the wheels, while braking. 3. this creates an unintended surge of acceleration, which is then also noticeable through the remaining gears (truck slows, then surges, slows, then surges until coming to a complete stop). I have also verified that this is a common complaint in the online forums, and many people are experiencing this fault. In fact, one of the dealerships actually informed me that many of his customers go to an aftermarket shift program to avoid the issue. I have tried this, and it did not resolve the issue. Each time the transmission is evaluated at the dealership, the daps (digital parameters) are "reset" (according to the service shops), and the truck drives fantastically. However, roughly 10 miles later, it is back to exhibiting the exact same failure mode. Dealership has troubleshoot this fault extensively, and has stated that this mode of operation is "normal" - I asked them to explain how forward acceleration during braking was "normal", and of course they could not.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 022013

Silverado 1500

  • 15,003 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that vehicle was parked and erroneously shifted out of gear, crashing into his garage. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,003.

- North Wilkesboro, NC, USA

problem #5

Jul 272013

Silverado 1500

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the emergency brake engaged, the contact reached in from the passenger's side to shut the engine down and the vehicle rolled away in reverse. The contact was dragged several feet before the vehicle crashed into a bridge. The contact sustained major bruising and scratches to several parts of the body. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired or inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #4

May 142013

Silverado 1500 8-cyl

  • 20,482 miles
I have been having problems with my Chevy Silverado truck, Texas edition, it has 23,800 miles on it I purchased it with O miles, I adhere to oil changes and any repairs in timely manner. My truck has been in service department twice for the same issue, when the transmission is switching gears, it makes a clunking noise while driving it, it feels like someone is bumping the rear of truck. The repairs include transmission hard shifting 2 - 3 times, rr upper control valve body and spacer plate replaced, reset transmission, 1 2 3 4 clutch regulator valve binding in bore. Also replaced springs, second service the U joints anitsd yoke replaced, my truck continues with same problem, please look in to this its horrible & very disappointing why can`T they fix it, my truck sounds like an old vehicle I think something is wrong with suspension. I`M desperate to find an answer. Its an expensive truck to be dealing with these issues.

- Mercedes, TX, USA

problem #3

Apr 222013

Silverado 1500 8-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Brakes are spongy does not stop truck until pumped, power train clunking noise when turning and shifting, electrical at times dash lights dim at any given time, many other complaints very rough ride, trans shifts very hard, when coming to a traffic light runs rough. Has been to dealer once and last Thursday got a call from GM the dealership has not responded to my problems.

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 082012

Silverado 1500

  • 15,000 miles
Was driving up to the stop sign. It felt like the transmission was shifting hard. Sorta like jerking.

- Woodlake, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 182012

Silverado 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 144 miles
Happened driving home after buying vehicle. Transmission shifts hard from a complete stop as 1st gear was being engaged. Drove it until break in period was over and took it back to the dealer were the transmission body and valves were replaced. Now getting more problems with the transmission shifting between gears at a speed of 35-45 mph. Transmission disengages and I have no power going to the wheels, like it shifts to neutral for a 5-10 seconds. This will cause an accident if transmission does not reengage while driving in traffic. You will get rear ended.

- Ridgecreast, CA, USA

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