2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG
Across its 9 EPA-rated gasoline versions, the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 returns 12–15 mpg city, 18–22 highway and 14–18 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 5.3-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 18 mpg combined. At the other end, the 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive manages 14 mpg combined, 4 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 21 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2011 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD | 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD | 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 XFE 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 · 635 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 · 635 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 costs about $3,630 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (18 mpg combined), or roughly 24 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (14 mpg combined) comes to about $4,670 a year, $1,040 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 specs
The EPA lists 5 engine choices for the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500: 5.3 L 8-cyl, 4.3 L 6-cyl, 4.8 L 8-cyl, 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid and 6.2 L 8-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 4.3 L | 6 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 4.8 L | 8 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.0 L hybrid | 8 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.2 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 216 owner complaints about the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500.
Air bags are the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by structure (13%) and engine (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 14 complaints a year: fewer than the 2011 (35 a year) and the 2013 (21 a year).
It has the fewest complaints per year on sale of any Chevy Silverado 1500 model year from 2008 to 2024.
Of the 216, 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 5 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 73 | 26% |
| Air bags | 59 | 21% |
| Structure | 36 | 13% |
| Engine | 25 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 8% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 10 | 4% |
| Power train | 10 | 4% |
| Suspension | 9 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 2% |
| Steering | 4 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | <1% |
| Child seat | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Wheels | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her son was driving at low speeds during snow weather, the driver-side air bag deployed on its own without a crash or impact with an object. …
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was significantly rusted, and the contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. …
Engine power reduced warning keeps coming on. As well as stabilitrak and traction control turns off. Code p2138 pops up. I’ve spent over $1,000 trying to get this fixed because it is unsafe to drive it like that. …
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 recalls
The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 has been the subject of 2 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 21V054000 from February 2021, concerns air bags.
21V051000 · February 5, 2021 · Air bags
Problem: These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Silverado 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V054000 | February 5, 2021 | Air bags | 2010–2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 8 versions of the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/RC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hybrid PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hybrid PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Silverado 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2012 Ford F-150 (19 mpg) and 2012 Ram 1500 (16 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 21 | 444 | 25 | 3 |
| 2010 | 22 | 363 | 21 | 3 |
| 2011 | 21 | 563 | 35 | 4 |
| 2012 | 21 | 216 | 14 | 2 |
| 2013 | 21 | 301 | 21 | 2 |
| 2014 | 20 | 1,436 | 110 | 6 |
| 2015 | 20 | 1,110 | 92 | 11 |
Every Chevy Silverado 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2012 models
FAQ
Is the 2012 Silverado 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 14 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the fewest of its 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 21 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 Silverado 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (59), structure (36) and engine (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Silverado 1500 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 14–18 mpg combined (12–15 city, 18–22 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 21 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Silverado 1500 per year?
About $3,630 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,670 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).