Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,393 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 2500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 012023

Silverado 2500

  • miles

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

My TCM went out in my truck while towing which made the vehicle not be able to move putting my family in jeopardy while on the road.

- Danville , PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 202023

Silverado 2500

  • miles
TransmisiĆ³n control module stopped working while driving on the highway. It went from going 70 miles per hour on the highway to 15 miles per hour. Very scary and dangerous.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #13

Feb 272023

Silverado 2500

  • miles
The Transmission Control Module failed causing the vehicle to loose power and operate only in "limp mode". General Motors does not have a replacement module available, leaving the vehicle inoperable. GM has no reliable information as to when a module will be available. I had to use a third party service to try and repair the module for a cost of over $1,200. This seems to be a common problem with the 2008-20015 GM Duramax with the Allison transmission.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 052013

Silverado 2500

  • 12,000 miles

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

Several problems.. multiple failures of "glow plugs" (known GM problem) and nox exhaust sensors, high def use, unusual "buildup" in the exhaust filter requiring many dealer visits, downtime, repair costs and extremely poor fuel mileage. Glow plugs often fail at initial start when system is "cold".. oat has been from about 45 to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Altitude, about 20 to 1200 ft asl. Dealer serviced only. Vehicle has no mods!!!!

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #11

Oct 182015

Silverado 2500

  • 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

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #10

May 302014

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 11,768 miles
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 2500

  • 135 miles

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

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 2500

  • 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 2500

  • 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 2500

  • 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 2500

  • 5,000 miles

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

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 2500 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 2500 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 2500

  • 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 2500 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

Not what you are looking for?