NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Chevrolet Express Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Chevrolet Express has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Chevrolet Express. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Chevrolet Express owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Express, describing incidents dated September 22, 2012 to August 4, 2026.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 13 complaints, owners report 2 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11755204 · Filed August 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…
ODI #11704917 · Filed December 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.
ODI #11656226 · Filed April 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…

Read all 13 complaints

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #18V267000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 6,154 vehicles

Repair completion: 14.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18146 · Owners notified June 11, 2018 · Vehicles built September 9, 2008 – March 23, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

CNG Regulator Leaking Natural Gas

NHTSA #14V500000 · Fuel System, Other · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,345 vehicles

Repair completion: 92.5% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14321 / 14758 · Owners notified February 13, 2015 · Vehicles built August 17, 2011 – July 13, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Head Impact/FMVSS 201

NHTSA #14V117000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 303,013 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14082 · Owners notified May 19, 2014 · Vehicles built May 31, 2011 – July 13, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

CNG Solenoid May Melt, Possibly Leading to a Fire

NHTSA #13V225000 · Fuel System, Other · NHTSA notice

Reported May 15, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,791 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13139/FA13GM001 · Owners notified August 5, 2013 · Vehicles built February 14, 2011 – February 20, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT

NHTSA #12V112000 · Steering — Gear Box — Shaft Pitman · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 6,159 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12055 · Owners notified April 4, 2012 · Vehicles built January 27, 2012 – February 27, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GMS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12055. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MALFUNCTIONING OF THE DUAL-STAGE AIR BAG

NHTSA #11V543000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported November 8, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 1,798 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11302 · Owners notified November 29, 2011 · Vehicles built June 2, 2011 – October 17, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIR BAG WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11302.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Express. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Express.

Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #11755204

Incident: August 4, 2026 · Filed: August 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11704917

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: November 10, 2025 · Filed: December 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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11656226

Incident: April 22, 2025 · Filed: April 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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11649646

Incident: February 18, 2025 · Filed: March 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).

Steering; Unknown or Other; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11538233

Crash 2 deaths

Incident: April 24, 2023 · Filed: August 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11216933

Incident: May 28, 2019 · Filed: May 30, 2019

VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE IN PARK

Service Brakes

ODI #10970667

Incident: April 4, 2017 · Filed: April 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.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #10778557

Incident: September 1, 2015 · Filed: September 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.

Electrical System

ODI #10763324

Incident: June 26, 2015 · Filed: September 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.

Steering; Electrical System

ODI #10725751

Incident: August 7, 2014 · Filed: June 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.

Other Chevrolet Express model years

Check your 2012 Chevrolet Express VIN

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