2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 15 electrical system complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, 10% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 55,500. One crash and one fire are linked to this area, and a related recall (14V827000) covers the ignition lock housing.
- Electrical System complaints
- 15
- 10% of 146
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 55,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of electrical power while driving, sometimes with dashboard warning lights illuminating and, in one case, causing a front-end collision.
- Turn signals, seat belt chime, and radio have stopped working simultaneously at highway speed, with the vehicle reportedly veering to the side.
- Rodents chewing through wiring insulation (attributed by some owners to soy or peanut-based coating) has triggered check engine lights and affected sensors.
- The ignition switch has reportedly turned off on its own while the truck was moving in drive, causing loss of power steering and power brakes and locking the steering wheel.
- Intermittent starting problems have been reported, where the engine sometimes fails to start or shuts off right after starting, with dealers unable to pinpoint the cause.
- One owner reported a brief 30-second loss of electrical power at highway speed accompanied by traction warning and other unknown warning lights.
When 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 17, 2012, latest Aug 11, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra 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 Sierra 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 15 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Sierra 1500, which is 10% of the 146 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Yes, recall 14V827000 covers the electrical system and addresses the ignition lock housing; GM notified owners and had dealers inspect and replace it as necessary at no charge.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2012 Sierra 1500?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on this model year is 55,500 miles.
- Did the 2012 Sierra 1500's electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data links one crash and one fire to this problem area for the 2012 Sierra 1500, though no injuries were reported.
- How does the 2012 Sierra 1500 compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2012 model's 10% share of complaints tied to electrical issues is lower than the 2014 (39%) and 2015 (27%) model years, which show much higher shares.