2012 Chevrolet Express Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Express years
- About as many complaints as other years 19th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Express. That ranks 19th out of 31 Express model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes (4 complaints, 31%), typically at around 14,500 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 13owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Express problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 | 31% | 14,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 23% | 129,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 15% | 47,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 15% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 8% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 8% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 8% | 4,750 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 8% | 14,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | 14,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Chevrolet Express recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Fuel system, other
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
Fuel system, other
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Risk: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
Steering:gear box:shaft pitman
Problem: General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and suburban vehicles, and gmc savana and yukon xl heavy duty vehicles. The steering gear pitman shaft may not have been adequately hardened and could fracture.
Risk: If this condition occurs, a loss of steering could result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear and, if necessary, replace the steering gear pitman shaft. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on april 4, 2012.
Air bags
Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet express and gmc savana vehicles manufactured from june 2, 2011, through october 17, 2011. The second stage of the dual-stage air bag will not inflate in a severe frontal impact. Accordingly, the air bags fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk: An improperly deployed air bag will increase the risk of injury to the occupant.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a new front passenger air bag free of charge. The safety recall began on november 29, 2011. Owners may contact gmc at 1-800-462-8782 or chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
ABS Valve Body / Pump Harness chafed through brake hydraulic line near transmission crossmember. This resulted in a hydraulic leak and loss of brake pedal feel / partial loss of brakes. Fortunately failure occurred in the driveway--I had 4500 Lbs of sailboat trailer hitched to the van and was about…
About 6:45 in the morning on November 10th, the vehicle was in a high-speed. Front end collision with adult cow elk at 70 miles an hour on the freeway, and the airbags failed to deploy in the Van on both front seats and the vehicle was severely damaged. Injuries were sustained.
Vehicle is upfitted as a school bus. Forward fuel tank strap failed in operation. Our company operates more than 100 of these vehicles and we experience a failure of fuel tank straps at a rate of about one vehicle per month. If the 2nd strap would also fail the gasoline tank would become dislodged…
Vehicle is upfitted as a school bus. Forward fuel tank strap failed in operation. Our company operates more than 100 of these vehicles and we experience a failure of fuel tank straps at a rate of about one vehicle per month. If the 2nd strap would also fail the gasoline tank would become dislodged…
UNKNOWN...THE VEHICLE VEARED OFF ROAD AN INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. Did not seam like steering was working properly. The final out come there were 2 deceased operators. In 2 different vehicles. I'm not sure if the recalls were ever repaired.
Other Chevrolet Express years
← 2011 Express · 2013 Express →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Express | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 Express | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 Express | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 Express | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 Express | 13 | 2 |
| 2020 Express | 17 | 1 |
| 2019 Express | 8 | 4 |
| 2018 Express | 11 | 6 |
| 2017 Express | 21 | 6 |
| 2016 Express | 15 | 6 |
| 2015 Express | 8 | 3 |
| 2014 Express | 14 | 7 |
| 2013 Express | 22 | 8 |
| 2012 | 13 | 6 |
| 2011 Express | 12 | 5 |
| 2010 Express | 15 | 5 |
| 2009 Express | 10 | 7 |
| 2008 Express | 14 | 10 |
| 2007 Express | 17 | 4 |
| 2006 Express | 12 | 16 |
| 2005 Express | 23 | 8 |
| 2004 Express | 21 | 6 |
| 2003 Express | 59 | 10 |
| 2002 Express | 55 | 0 |
| 2001 Express | 45 | 2 |
| 2000 Express | 84 | 1 |
| 1999 Express | 68 | 1 |
| 1998 Express | 23 | 1 |
| 1997 Express | 29 | 1 |
| 1996 Express | 15 | 2 |
| 1995 Express | 1 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Express problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Express?
Owners most often report service brakes, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Express?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 Chevrolet Express a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Express model years, the 2012 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.