GMC Truck›Savana AWD›2012›Overview/gmc-truck/savana-awd/2012/base/

2012 GMC Truck Savana AWD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Savana AWD.

The 2012 GMC Savana AWD arrives with a 4.5-quart oil capacity spec'd for 5W-30 viscosity, a routine detail that underscores the workhorse nature of this full-size van line. Its model year falls inside a complaint database spanning 1994 through 2026, a period whose peaks and valleys are defined by 1999's 54 reports and 1994's single entry — bookends that suggest the platform's trouble spots are concentrated in specific generations rather than scattered evenly. Without a dedicated 2012 complaint figure in the record, the year sits quietly between those extremes, neither flagged as a high-water mark nor singled out as a low point. That positioning implies the 2012 AWD variant inherits a platform whose reliability narrative is already written, leaving its own chapter to be measured against a known baseline rather than an open question.

Model year2013 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT245-75R17; LT265-70R17; LTT265-70R18; LT265-60R20OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12690386 alt 12731175
Engine air filter	22909882
Spark plug	12680072 alt 12681664
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	19210691 alt 12637204
Thermostat	89018168 alt 12632948

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 75W · SYNTHETIC in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SAE 75W · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Differential Gear Oil	SAE 75W · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	8.0 qt
Differential Gear Oil	SAE 75W · SYNTHETIC

Engine torques

Cylinder Head Steps	Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 2nd
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	42.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	103.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	107.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	66.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	66.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	78
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	770 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs / 129 ft-lbs / 221 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.142 in / 1.181 in / 1.496 in / 1.575 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.142 in / 1.181 in / 1.496 in / 1.575 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.102 in / 1.14 in / 1.457 in / 1.535 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Installation, 110 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees., step 3: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 125 degrees, install new bolt.

110 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 100 degrees., step 3: 90 degrees., install new bolt.

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; M8 Bolts:	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts 1-10:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; M8 Bolts 11-15:	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts 1-10:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; M8 Bolts 11-15:	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

all bolts

22 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 45,000 mi	Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’25 ’26

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V267000EquipmentReported 26/04/2018

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… 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…

14V500000Fuel System, OtherReported 13/08/2014

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… 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…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Savana AWD. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12690386 Engine air filter 22909882 Spark plug 12680072 Front wiper blades 15214346

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Savana AWD take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Savana AWD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

2012 GMC Truck Savana AWD

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked