2012 GMC Savana reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 GMC Savana has 0 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 0 per year. That is about even with the other Savana years here. Their median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Wiring, Equipment, and Fuel system, other.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

Next to 2013

The 2013 Savana has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 GMC Savana. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (7)

Recall electrical system, wiring 2023-04-06 · NHTSA campaign 23V247000

Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Remedy Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Recall Equipment 2018-04-26 · NHTSA campaign 18V267000

Summary 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

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.

Recall Fuel system, other 2014-08-13 · NHTSA campaign 14V500000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall air bags, frontal 2014-03-17 · NHTSA campaign 14V117000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall Fuel system, other 2013-05-15 · NHTSA campaign 13V225000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall steering, steering gear box, Pitman shaft 2012-03-22 · NHTSA campaign 12V112000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Air bags 2011-11-08 · NHTSA campaign 11V543000

Summary 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."

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.

Complaints by component (0 total)

No complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 GMC Savana Cargo G13405 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Cargo G23405 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Cargo G23705 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Cargo G33405 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Cargo G33705 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Cargo H13405 VAN AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 GMC Savana Passenger 1500 VAN AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	3 stars
2012 GMC Savana Passenger 1500 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	3 stars
2012 GMC Savana Passenger 2500 VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	3 stars
2012 GMC Savana Passenger 3500 12 PASS VAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	3 stars
2012 GMC Savana Passenger 3500 15 PASSVAN RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Savana 1500 all-wheel drive (cargo)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	All-wheel drive	13	17	14 MPG	$4650
Savana 1500 all-wheel drive Conversion (cargo)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	All-wheel drive	13	17	14 MPG	$4650
Savana 1500 two-wheel drive (Passenger)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	Rear-wheel drive	13	17	14 MPG	$4650
Savana 1500 two-wheel drive (cargo)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	Rear-wheel drive	13	18	15 MPG	$4300
Savana 1500 two-wheel drive (cargo)	4.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	20	17 MPG	$3800
Savana 1500 two-wheel drive Conversion (cargo)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	Rear-wheel drive	13	17	14 MPG	$4650
Savana 1500 all-wheel drive (Passenger)	5.3L, 8-cyl	Automatic 4-speed	All-wheel drive	13	17	14 MPG	$4650
Savana 2500 two-wheel drive (Passenger)	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	11	17	13 MPG	$5000
Savana 2500 two-wheel drive (Passenger)	6L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	11	16	13 MPG	$5000
Savana 2500 two-wheel drive (cargo)	6L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	10	15	12 MPG	$5400
Savana 2500 two-wheel drive Conversion (cargo)	6L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	10	15	12 MPG	$5400
Savana 3500 two-wheel drive (Passenger)	4.8L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	11	17	13 MPG	$5000
Savana 3500 two-wheel drive (Passenger)	6L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	10	15	12 MPG	$5400
Savana 3500 two-wheel drive (cargo)	6L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	10	14	12 MPG	$5400

Specs and fitment

GMT610 generation, 2012–present

Body styles Cargo van, Passenger van, Cutaway

Oil 5W-30 (dexos1; gasoline engines) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 245/75R16 (common US cargo/passenger fitments)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V-387 covers certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles: one or both rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass, which fails to meet FMVSS 226 ejection-mitigation requirements. Dealers replace tempered glass with laminated glass as needed. Recall 18V-509 covers certain 2018 Express and Savana vans whose tire-pressure monitoring system may be calibrated to warn at 37 PSI instead of 41 PSI; dealers check and reprogram the remote control door lock receiver when the placard and module disagree. Recall 18V-295 covers certain 2014-2017 Express and Savana vans with power windows where liquid can corrode the driver-side window switch and raise fire risk; dealers replace that switch. Recall 23V-247 covers certain 2003-2023 Express and Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles with unused rear HVAC blower wiring that can corrode and overheat; dealers seal the circuit at the left B-pillar.

Compare

Next year 2013 GMC Savana See every GMC Savana model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 GMC Savana reliable?

Is the 2012 GMC Savana more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Savana has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

Has the 2012 GMC Savana been recalled?

The 2012 GMC Savana has 7 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 GMC Savana?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2012 GMC Savana with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 GMC Savana get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 GMC Savana is 13.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Savana use?

The 2018 US Savana owner manual specifies SAE 5W-30 oil meeting dexos1 for gasoline engines, about 6.0 qt with filter.

What engine oil does a US GMC Savana use?

5W-30 (dexos1; gasoline engines) With filter, about 6.0 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US GMC Savana?

Published US specs commonly list front 245/75R16 (common US cargo/passenger fitments) and rear 245/75R16 (common US cargo/passenger fitments); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.