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
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
Owner complaints by component
1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2019 – Jul 2019
- Fuel/propulsion system1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savana 1500 2WD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Savana 1500 2WD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 AWD Conversion (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 2WD (Passenger) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 2WD Conversion (cargo) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger) Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
- 17mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
- 14mpg comb.
- 14mpg comb.
- 14mpg comb.
- 14mpg comb.
- 14mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
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
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
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