2012 Chevrolet Express recalls and problems

The 2012 Chevrolet Express has 6 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
13
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Chevrolet Express vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Chevrolet Express recalls

Recall 18V-267: Equipment

Reported Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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.

Recall 14V-500: Fuel System, Other

Reported Aug 13, 2014 · 3,345 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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.

Recall 14V-117: Air Bags

Reported Mar 17, 2014 · 303,013 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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.

Recall 13V-225: Fuel System, Other

Reported May 15, 2013 · 1,791 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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.

Recall 12V-112: Steering

Reported Mar 22, 2012 · 6,159 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

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.

Recall 11V-543: Air Bags

Reported Nov 8, 2011 · 1,798 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

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.

2012 Chevrolet Express problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes4
Electrical System3
Steering2
Unknown or Other2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Structure1
Suspension1
Seat Belts1
Engine1
Power Train1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Air Bags1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 47,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Chevrolet Express complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported 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.
Air Bags · reported 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.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported 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…
Forward Collision Avoidance · reported 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.
Service Brakes · at 30,000 miles · reported 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.…

Other Chevrolet Express years

Compare all Chevrolet Express years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Express: 18V-267 (equipment), 14V-500 (fuel system, other), 14V-117 (air bags), 13V-225 (fuel system, other), 12V-112 (steering) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Express?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (4 reports), followed by electrical system (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 47,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.