2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500, 11% of that year's 146 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 23,500. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 16
- 11% of 146
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 23,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report unexplained idle vibration and inconsistent idle speed that fluctuates between roughly 700 and 900 RPM without driver input.
- Some describe sudden loss of power or deceleration while driving at highway speed, with warning lights illuminating and the vehicle unable to accelerate past 35 mph.
- Several report a ticking noise traced by dealers to lifter or camshaft wear, tied by owners to the engine's active fuel management/cylinder deactivation system.
- One owner reported a fuel injection pump failure at high mileage that caused loss of power steering and braking assistance.
- A hesitation while driving around 50 mph was linked by a dealer to camshaft and lifter wear at high mileage.
When 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 12, 2012, latest Apr 3, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine 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 engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
- NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 Sierra 1500, which is 11% of the 146 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for engine problems on the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine problem area on this model year.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2012 Sierra 1500?
- The median mileage at failure among engine complaints is 23,500 miles.
- What are the most common engine complaints for the 2012 Sierra 1500?
- Owners describe idle vibration, sudden loss of power or deceleration at speed, and lifter/camshaft ticking noises linked to the active fuel management system.