2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 31 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 11% of all 284 complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Two crashes, two fires, and one injury are tied to this component, and a related recall (14V827000) covers ignition lock housing issues.
- Electrical System complaints
- 31
- 11% of 284
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 75,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Headlights, especially the passenger side, go out unexpectedly, sometimes with melting or heat damage found in the bulb socket and wiring pigtail.
- The ignition switch sticks or turns off unexpectedly, cutting power to accessories and sometimes requiring the key to be jiggled or reinserted.
- Dashboard lights dim intermittently and other electrical systems like cruise control and air conditioning stop working without warning.
- Vehicles have caught fire while parked, with the cause listed as undetermined by investigators.
- Airbag warning lights stay on or flash, and in one case the entire electrical system, including the speedometer and climate controls, briefly shut off while driving.
- A steering seizure lasting several seconds occurred during a turn, accompanied by a brake pedal that traveled to the floor.
When 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint May 12, 2012, latest Feb 9, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- NHTSA 14V827000Dec 30, 2014Electrical System84,192 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Electrical System complaints by Silverado 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- NHTSA lists 31 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Silverado 1500, which is 11% of the 284 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to electrical problems on the 2012 Silverado 1500?
- Yes. Recall 14V827000 covers the ignition lock housing on 2011-2012 Silverado and related GM models; dealers inspect and replace the housing as needed at no charge.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on this model year is 75,000 miles.
- Have electrical issues caused crashes or fires on the 2012 Silverado 1500?
- NHTSA data tied to this component shows 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury reported for the 2012 Silverado 1500.