NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Exposed wiring and connectors for an optional rear heating and air-conditioning system can corrode and overheat when the blower motor circuit is left unused.
The 2012 GMC Savana has 8 recalls, the most serious being a steering shaft that can fracture and cause a complete loss of steering control, along with multiple fire risks from electrical and fuel system defects.
Three of those fire risks involve the compressed natural gas fuel system and electrical wiring. On CNG-equipped vans, connectors at the underbody fuel tank shutoff solenoids can corrode and short, and a separate connector issue in the CNG system can overheat, both raising the risk of a vehicle fire. On Cutaway models wired for an optional rear HVAC system, unused blower motor connectors left exposed can corrode and overheat, also creating a fire risk.
On the occupant safety side, the front passenger dual-stage airbag may not fully deploy in a severe frontal crash, leaving the occupant with less protection than the system is designed to provide. A separate recall covers a scenario where a crash falls below the airbag deployment threshold, meaning an unbelted front passenger relies entirely on the seatbelt and has a higher risk of injury without the airbag as a backup.
There is also a recall covering certain fire extinguishers installed in these vehicles that may fail to function properly when needed.
At a glance
What can fail
Exposed wiring and connectors for an optional rear heating and air-conditioning system can corrode and overheat when the blower motor circuit is left unused.
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What the fix does
Dealers will seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left B-pillar to prevent corrosion and overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to discharge, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may detach forcefully, potentially causing injury and making the extinguisher inoperable.
What the fix does
GM will provide a free replacement fire extinguisher from Kidde. Contact your vehicle manufacturer's customer service to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a frontal crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger's head may strike the instrument panel above the passenger air bag. The panel may not absorb this impact adequately, increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel at no cost to improve impact absorption and occupant protection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corroded connectors on the CNG fuel tank shut-off solenoid can develop high-resistance shorts, potentially causing a vehicle fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the solenoid and regulator, install a lower-amp fuel pump fuse, adjust wiring routing if needed, and add anti-corrosion sealing plugs to the valve.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel shut-off solenoid connector on the CNG tank can corrode and create an electrical short.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses, and adjust the wiring routing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering gear pitman shaft may not be adequately hardened and could fracture, potentially affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering gear and replace the pitman shaft if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The second stage of the front passenger dual-stage air bag may not inflate during a severe frontal crash, reducing occupant protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag with a new one at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The second stage of the front passenger airbag may fail to deploy during a severe frontal crash, increasing injury risk to the passenger.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
