NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to a chemical breakdown of its propellant after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
This page covers 4 recalls and 101 owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban.
For the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, structure complaints dominate the report pile, driven heavily by dashboard cracking. Owners widely describe the dash deteriorating over time, splitting, cracking, and shedding hard plastic fragments, typically within a few years of the vehicle's manufacture date. The concern is that in a crash, a severely cracked dash could send plastic shards toward occupants. Airbag complaints are the second most-reported system, with owners describing situations where airbags did not deploy as expected, along with parts availability problems when seeking repairs at dealerships. Engine complaints round out the top three, though at lower volume. The dashboard cracking pattern is by far the most consistent theme across this model year, with owners reporting it progressively worsening rather than stabilizing.
101
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban has 4 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, with the potential for serious injury or death.
This airbag inflator defect is the subject of multiple recall filings, all pointing to the same hazard: a rupture that turns the inflator housing into a source of shrapnel directed at the front passenger and anyone nearby. The recalls were filed with geographic scope in mind, targeting vehicles originally sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Louisiana, among others, where moisture accelerates the conditions that make the inflator dangerous. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple filings exist for this single problem.
The remaining recall involves the ignition lock actuator, which can bind when turning the key. If the key gets stuck in the "Start" position and then snaps back suddenly to the "Accessory" position, the engine shuts off while driving, taking power steering and power brakes with it. Losing those systems at road speed makes the vehicle significantly harder to control and raises the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to a chemical breakdown of its propellant after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition lock actuator may bind, making the key difficult to turn or causing the ignition to stick in the Start position.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.