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2012 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 15 Pass

Recalls, consumer complaints and crash ratings from NHTSA

Recalls6

  • EquipmentApr 26, 2018, Campaign 18V267000

    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.

    Remedy

    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, otherAug 13, 2014, Campaign 14V500000

    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.

    Remedy

    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 bagsFrontalMar 17, 2014, Campaign 14V117000

    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.

    Remedy

    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, otherMay 15, 2013, Campaign 13V225000

    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.

    Remedy

    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.

  • SteeringGear box, shaft pitmanMar 22, 2012, Campaign 12V112000

    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.

    Remedy

    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 bagsNov 8, 2011, Campaign 11V543000

    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.

    Remedy

    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.

All recalls issued for this model year. To see whether any are still unrepaired on a specific vehicle, check its VIN at NHTSA.

Recent complaints18 total

Most reported, across all 18 complaints

  • Fuel/propulsion system28%
  • Service brakes22%
  • Electrical system17%
  • Electrical system, service brakesFiled Aug 6, 2026

    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 to go on a long trip. Design issue. Wiring harness should not be located so as to chafe on hydraulic lines. This is not the first chafe related failure on this vehicle.

    Incident Aug 4, 2026

  • Air bagsCrash2 injuredFiled Dec 14, 2025

    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.

    Incident Nov 10, 2025

  • Fuel/propulsion systemFiled Apr 23, 2025

    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 and present a re hazard. This is even more critical as these vehicles are carrying students as a school bus. We perform visual inspections of the straps at 6 month intervals (per Pennsylvania these vehicles are subject to Semi-Annual State Inspection). There were no symptoms of the problem before this failure. There are never symptoms of the problem.

    Incident Apr 22, 2025

  • Fuel/propulsion systemFiled Mar 21, 2025

    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 and present a fire hazard. This is even more critical as these vehicles are carrying students as a school bus. We perform visual inspections of the straps at 6 month intervals (per Pennsylvania these vehicles are subject to Semi-Annual State Inspection). There were no symptoms of the problem before this failure. There are never symptoms of the problem before any failure. Failed fuel tank straps on this were repaired by GM Dealer (Faulkner GMC, 705 Auto Park Blvd, West Chester, PA 19382) (Invoice #677658 - Invoice Date Feb 25 2025).

    Incident Feb 18, 2025

  • Steering, forward collision avoidanceCrash2 deathsFiled Aug 13, 2023

    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.

    Incident Apr 24, 2023

  • Unknown or otherFiled May 30, 2019

    VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE IN PARK

    Incident May 28, 2019

  • Fuel/propulsion systemFiled Feb 13, 2018

    THE VAN IS A 2012 CUT AWAY SCHOOL BUS. ON 1-20-2018 DEVELOPED A GASOLINE LEAK ON THE VENT SIDE OF THE FUEL MODULE ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.TOOK TO CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL MODULE INTHE TANK. THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE TANK TO PERFORM REPAIRS. AT A COST OF 1188.39$.

    Incident Jan 20, 2018

  • Fuel/propulsion systemFiled Feb 13, 2018

    HAVE A 2012 CHEVROLET CUT AWAY VAN FOR A SCHOOL BUS USE. STARTED LEAKING GASOLINE OUT OF THE PRESSURE SIDE LINE ON THE FURL MODULE. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY HAD TO REMOVE FUEL TANK TO MAKE REPAIRS . THEY REPLACED FUEL MODULE IN THE TANK. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS 1166.41$.

    Incident Jan 24, 2018

  • Fuel/propulsion systemFiled Jan 25, 2018

    HAVE 2 2012 CHEVY CUT AWAY VAN SCHOOL BUSES WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE START LEAKING. 1 LEAKED ON THE PRESSURE LINE,THE OTHER ON THE VENT LINE. BOTH BUSES HAVE LESS THAN 150000 MILES.

    Incident Jan 20, 2018

  • Service brakesFiled Apr 5, 2017

    I MANAGE A FLEET OF 53 SCHOOL BUSES, MODEL YEARS RANGING FROM 2008 TO 2015. I HAVE NOTICED A TREND WITH THE HYDRO BOOSTERS AND MASTER CYLINDERS, THEY TEND TO LEAK INTERNALLY ON THESE GM VEHICLES SOME HAVE BEGUN TO LEAK AS EARLY AS 30,000 MILES. I EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS, ON EVERY BUS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AS THE FLEET AGES THE TREND IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I AM VIGILANT WITH KEEPING UP ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER I AM NOT SURE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE SAME UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE DANGER OF THIS DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE HAD BUSES COME IN BLEEDING BRAKE FLUID OR HYDRAULIC FLUID.

    Incident Apr 4, 2017

  • Show all 18 complaints
    • Exterior lightingFiled Feb 27, 2017

      VEHICLE HAD NO RUNNING LIGHTS. CHECKED BULBS AND FUSES OK .VAN WENT TO CHEVY DEALER WAS CHARGED 100.00 CHECKOUT FEE. THE DEALER FOUND NO GROUND FROM BCM . THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 752 55 TO THIS POINT FOR THEM TO RUN AN AUXILIARY CIRCUIT TO FIX OR IT WOULD COST 1200.00 -1500.00 TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR. I WENT WITH THE CHEAPER OPTION. I DO BELIEVE NO RUNNING LIGHTS ON A VEHICLE WOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY CONCERN.

      Incident Dec 19, 2016

    • Power train, engineFiled Sep 29, 2015

      THE ENGINE WILL GO TO LOW POWER AND NOT GO MORE THAN 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS AN AMBULANCE CHASSIS AND IS A KNOW PROBLEM GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED YET IN THE 2012 AND 2013 CHASSIS. IT CAN DO THIS ON HWYS WITH SPEED LIMITS OF 55, 65, 70 MPH SUDDENLY WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS NO STOP LIGHTS GIVE ANY WARNING AND YOU CAN'T SPEED UP ANYTIME IN POOR VISIBILITY OR AT ANYTIME. NOT ONLY IS IT BAD FOR THE INJURED OR ILL PATIENT IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY OTHERS. GM HAS FIXED THIS ON THE 2014 AND NEWER MODELS BUT NOT 12 &13. THIS IS NOT JUST OUR ONE UNIT THIS IS 2012 AND 2013 CHEVY DIESELS AMBULANCE ALL OVER THE US. WE HAVE FOUR UNITS THAT IT CAN HAPPEN TO AND TWO THAT IS HAS WITH PATIENTS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE EPA, GM, AND OUR INDIANA STATE SENATORS TRYING TO GET THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION TAKEN CARE OF IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. I AM ASKING ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO HELP PUSH GM FOR A FIX.

      Incident Sep 1, 2015

    • Electrical systemFiled Sep 12, 2015

      ENGINE WAS AT IDLE HAD PULLED INTO GAS STATION . ALARMS WENT OFF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STABLE TRACK ERROR, MULTIPLE TONES. AFTER 20 SECONDS ENGINE STALLED. WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE AND COUPLE TRIES FIX TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SHORTED. I HAD GONE THRU RAIN EARLIER AND A COUPLE STORMS PASSED THRU WHILE AT STATION AND EATING. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND PROGRAMMED IT. THIS COULD OF HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD OF LOST ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING. SINCE JUST MODULE REPLACED AND BEN TOLD IT IS KNOW TO SHORT OUT WHEN WET IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

      Incident Jun 26, 2015

    • Seat beltsFiled Jul 14, 2015

      DRIVER'S SETABELT LOCKS UP, PREVENTING THE BELT FROM BEING DRAWN OFF THE REEL. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM USING THE SEAT BELT. THE ISSUE OCCURS WHILE THE VAN IS PARKED AND STATIONARY, REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GIVE SLACK ON THE REEL AND EXTEND IT ARE UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS IS THE THIRD CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN MY COMPANY OWNS THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.

      Incident Jul 14, 2015

    • Steering, electrical systemFiled Jun 17, 2015

      TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STABILITRAK ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER BEING TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

      Incident Aug 7, 2014

    • Seat beltsFiled Oct 21, 2014

      DRIVER'S SEAT BELT REEL SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SO THE BELT COULD NOT BE EXTENDED AND BUCKLED. THE OPERATOR WAS NOT ABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT AS REQUIRED BY LAW. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER TSB 05-09-40-002G TODAY, A SECOND VEHICLE OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL 2014 MODEL YEAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.

      Incident Sep 5, 2013

    • Suspension, structure, service brakesFiled Apr 22, 2013

      PARKING BRAKE CABLE FOUND RUBBING ON THE HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE LINE, FORWARD OF THE REAR AXLE ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CHASSIS. WEAR IS EVIDENT ON HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE LINE AND PARKING CABLE, ALONG WITH COMPONENT PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS STUCK UNDER. *TR

      Incident Apr 20, 2013

    • Service brakesFiled Jan 12, 2013

      VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. *TR

      Incident Sep 22, 2012

NHTSA crash ratings

2012 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 15 Pass VAN RWD

Overall
Not Rated
Front crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
3 out of 5 stars

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