Research · Vans, Cargo Type

2012 GMC Savana 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2012 GMC Savana 1500. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (1). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
1
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2019 – Jul 2019
  1. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Savana 1500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20105
20121
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“ON MY SECOND GMC SAVANNA 1500 VAN, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FUEL IS LEAKING OUT THE SIDE OF MY FUEL FILLER PIPE, SLOWLY THEN HEAVILY WHEN I FUEL IT UP. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE I HAD WITH MY OLD 2003 GMC SAVANNA 1500 VAN. THERE WAS A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE 2003 GMC SAVANNA, YET THERE IS NOT ONE FOR MY 2012. I DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FILLER TUBE UNTIL I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, TO CHECK THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. A MONTH AGO, THE ERROR CODE WAS A SMALL EVAP LEAK. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE FILLER TUBE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT IS RUSTED OUT OF THE SIDES. I AM A WHEELCHAIR USER, WHERE I NORMALLY DON'T HAVE TO FILL UP MY TANK. YET, AFTER GETTING THE DIAGNOSIS, I HAD TO FILL UP MY TANK SINCE IT WAS ON EMPTY. WHILE FILLING IT UP, I SMELLED GAS. I THEN NOTICED A PUDDLE FORMING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT ABOUT STOPPING, YET I WENT SLOWER. THIS DID NOT SLOW DOWN THE RAPID DRIPPINGS. SO I CONTINUED AS USUAL. IT WAS GETTING BIGGER WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO EXTEND BEYOND THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEN IT WAS NEARLY FILLED UP WHEN I HEAR THE GAS SPILLING OUT ONTO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE NOZZLE, AND WIPED UP THE EXCESS FUEL OFF THE TIRE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11233332
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans, Cargo Type, Vans, Passenger Type
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Savana 1500 2WD (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Savana 1500 2WD (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,300592
Savana 1500 AWD (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Savana 1500 AWD Conversion (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Savana 1500 2WD (Passenger)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Savana 1500 2WD Conversion (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Savana 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 GMC Savana 1500 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026