2012 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 685 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 16 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, power adjustJul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Campaign 14V447000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsOct 19, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Campaign 11V511000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Dec 4, 2025
ABS stabilizer light on dash shows ABS malfunction.took it to certified mechanic to check the problem and was told the system had to be replaced at the cost of $4000.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Apr 16, 2025
the abs light came on the dash and traction control.i was driving in a rain storm and went around a corner and front end started to slide.was only going 35 mph so I didn't lose control.this happened on.04/15/2025 .if I would have been going any faster I would have lost control.this is very dangerous as I realized. it should be fixed by GM for safety concerns.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 18, 2022
the camshaft actuators continue creating difficultdriving conditions. The POO11 and POO13 Codes continually show Faulty even after replacement. the Vehicle {2012 Chevrolet Equinox} Lurches and Bucks,creating difficulty for the safe operations of this vehicle. This creates Adverse reactions from other motorists by just acting up ,even after repairs. This is my 3rd time replacing these components to no avail. The OBD does kick out the engine light, but its Definately Manufacturer POOR DESIGNing. This problem while driving in traffic is Concerning. Is there any remedy? parrybruce57@gmail.com August 18,2022 Thank You B A Parry
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 20, 2021
Sterring wheel harden and wheels to moving
Steering, Nov 24, 2020
WHEN IN-MOTION AT MY POWER STEERING FAILS, THE WHEEL SEEMS TO GRAB AND MY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS MOMENTARILY NOT IN MY CONTROL. IT HAPPENS ON STRAIGHT AWAYS AND MOST OFTEN IN SLOW SPEED TURNS. MY CONCERNS ARE THE INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT HAPPENS IN BUSY TRAFFIC AND ON WET & ICED ROADWAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE LAST 1000PLUS MILES AND MY SERVICE POWER STEERING NOTICE HAS FLASHED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. I AM SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE TODAY.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 2, 2020
I WAS OUT AND ABOUT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DESTINATION, TURNED OFF AS I DO BEFORE GOING IN TO ANY PLACE. I CAN OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MESSING WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IT STARTED. ACTED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT STANDED ME FOR ABOUT 45 MINS. NOW THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AND WHILE DRIVING IF I TURN TO THE RIGHT THE RADIO GOES OUT AND POWER STEERING CUTS OUT THEN ONCE OUT OF THE TURN IT WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TURNING, NOW IN EITHER DIRECTION THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.
Steering, Sep 17, 2020
WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS MORNING AND NOTICE THE CAR SAID TO 'SERVICE POWER STEERING'. AFTER RESEARCHING THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2010 - 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX POWER STEERING AS THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ISSUES REPORTED OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Jun 29, 2020
DRIVING NORMALLY ABOUT 35 MPH ON SUBURBAN ROAD WHEN DASHBOARD SUDDENLY INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING." THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTANCE AND WAS STRENUOUS, EVEN DANGEROUSLY RESISTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEEDING TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ARRIVED HOME AND CHECK THE POWER STEERING FUSE, WHICH WAS OKAY. NEXT DAY STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL POWER-ASSIST AND DASHBOARD INDICATOR MESSAGE WAS GONE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 5, 2019
VEHICLE WILL STOP WHILE DRIVING, SITTING AT LIGHT, AND DRIVEWAY.. I HAVE TO CONTINUE PUTTING OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE OR ROLL WINDOWS UP. DOESN'T WANT TO START NOW.
Steering, Engine, Apr 1, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 3/29/2019 AND ON 4/1/2019 FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS SUUSEPTABLE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING ENGINE TO WEAR OUT AND COULD STOP RUNNING ON THE ROAD MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO THAT THE STEERING CAUSES RESISTANCE TO STEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES CAUSING A HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD. AM I INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS?
Steering, Wheels, Engine, Nov 21, 2018
THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL AND THE GAS PEDAL OCCASIONALLY STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET DOWNTOWN IN A CITY AND THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN.
Steering, Aug 21, 2018
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE SOON.WHEN I GO TO TURN ON IGNITION CAR WONT START OR EVEN TURN OVER.
Steering, Power train, Jun 27, 2018
THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND HE STATED THAT THE CAR ISN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK EITHER BECAUSE THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PUSHED IN WHILE THE CAR IS TURN OFF AND IN PARK.
Steering, Mar 17, 2018
RUBBING SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED. DEALER DIAGNOSE IT AS LOW SPEED SHUDDER AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE THAT WILL LAST. VERY ANNOYING SOUND AND I AM VERY UNCONFORTABLE DRIVING WITH THIS.
Steering, Wheels, Engine, Feb 20, 2018
I PURCHASED A 2012 GM EQUINOX ON SEPT. 6, 2017 SEPT 9 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS LOW ON OIL ' WE ADDED OIL SEPT 13 I HAD A TIRE CLAIM DUE TO TIRES BEING 'DRY ROTTED' PER DEALERSHIP. OCT 19 CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY, STALLING ' STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND MY 8 YEAR OLD DISABLED DAUGHTER. HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME. WHEN CHECKED VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO OIL IN IT AGAIN. OCT 29 ' BRINGING DISABLED DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CHECKED AND THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN IT. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD OIL TO VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE JUST TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T BREAK DOWN TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. WE DID THIS EVERY MONDAY JUST AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR. FEB 6 ' EVEN AFTER KEEPING OIL IN VEHICLE WEEKLY MY CAR WOULDN'T START THIS MORNING. CHECKED OIL ETC. IT FINALLY STARTED UP LATER THAT DAY AND I WENT TO GET MY STEP DAUGHTERS. WHEN WE GOT READY TO LEAVE AND TRIED TO CRANK CAR IT MADE A LOUD WHINY KIND OF SOUND AND IT SMELLED LIKE WIRES OR SOMETHING BURNING. STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER AGAIN AND I COULDN'T REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T CRANK BACK. CALLED SOMEONE TO COME. THEY CHECKED BATTERY, FUSES, ETC. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR WHERE IT WAS OVERNIGHT BELIEVING IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. FEB 7 ' MECHANIC WAS CALLED TO CHECK CAR. REAR MAIN SEALED WAS BUSTED, TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND SEVERELY DAMAGED ENTIRE MOTOR. ENTIRE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SHOT AND HAD NUMEROUS BROKEN PIECES! I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THIS AND DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH DETAILS VERY SIMILAR TO MY OWN AND END RESULTS THE SAME AS MY OWN.
Steering, Feb 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL WITH MY CHILDREN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 11, 2017
FIRST ONE WEEK AGO, THE CAR WAS SLOW TO TURN ON WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LITE UP WITH THE MESSAGE CHECK POWER STEERING. TONIGHT 8/11/17 THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, BUT IT STILL HAS A WORKING HORN, LIGHTS. AND RADIO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE STABILTRACK MESSAGE, ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER AND BACK, AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE ELECTRIC PANEL ARE ON. ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON.
Steering, Apr 2, 2017
WHILE TOWING 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTOR HOME...TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON I-75 IN TENNESSEE WITHIN 100 MILES OF THE TENNESSEE GEORGIA BORDER I HIT A VERY ROUGH PATCH OF THE INTERSTATE GOING 64 MPH. MY 2012 4 CYLINDER CHEVROLET EQUINOX STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE MY MOTORHOME, WHEN I GLANCED AT MY REARVIEW MONITOR THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR WAS WHIPPING BACK AND FORTH. FORCING ME TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE OUTSIDE BERM, THIS WAS AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, SO I WAS LUCKY. WHEN MY SPEED DROPPED TO 5 TO 10 MPH IT STOPPED AND IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER SOME THOUGHT THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED AND AROUND THE PART OF I-75 NORTH BOUND ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.
Steering, Feb 19, 2017
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN APRIL 2016, I GOT A ERROR READING LAST NIGHT SAYING SERVICE YOUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED
Steering, Wheels, Engine, Jan 3, 2017
TIRE PRESSURE( EVERY WEEK NEED AIR PRESSURE),POWER STEERING( LIGHT ON SAY CHECK) , COD#P0010 (ING LIGHT ON) ING OFF ALONE...
Steering, Oct 28, 2016
ON 3/31/15, CHEVY DEALER THAT SOLD US THE CAR REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR SUBJECT TO BULLETIN 14232, BECAUSE WE GOT A LETTER FROM GM ADVISING US TO GET IT DONE. ON 10/17/16, POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN ON CITY STREET, CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND NEAR MISS. THE POWER STEERING FROZE UP, AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. ON 10/18/16, THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AT THIS TIME TO THE SAME DEALER. ON 10/25/16, DEALER RETURNED CAR TO US UN-REPAIRED, SAYING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A NEW ONE. THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR $400. WE TOLD THE DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR THAT IS CURRENTLY FAILING, AND THAT THERE IS A TEN YEAR NON-WARRANTY WINDOW ON THIS TYPE OF SAFETY REPAIR. ON 10/26/16 WE CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN. THEY GOT BACK TO US ON 10/27/16 AND OFFERED TO FIX THE CAR FOR $400. THIS IS A DANGEROUS IF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO GM, AND THEY ARE OBLIGED TO FIX IT. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER CASE (NHTSA ID #10689932) OF STEERING FAILING AFTER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT PURSUANT TO BULLETIN 14232.
Steering, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2016
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SIDE PILLARS ARE SO WIDE NEAR THE SIDE MIRRORS THAT IT CAUSES A FOOT WIDE BLIND SPOT WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST SEVERAL OTHER ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS. THIS BLIND SPOT CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE WHILE TURNING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING AREA.
Steering, Apr 19, 2016
FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WHILE TOWING VEHICLE 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTORHOME. LOCK UP OCCURRED TWICE, ONCE WHILE TURNING ON CORNER ENTERING I40 AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING OVER BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR ON UNEVEN LANE SURFACE ON I40.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2016
WHEN OPENING THE STORAGE IN THE FRONT SEAT THE LIGHT BURNS SO HOT THAT IT BURNS THE RIGHT HIP/LEG OF THE DRIVER BADLY. STEERING MAKES A SUPER LOUD RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT THAT DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEEM TO FIX.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 23, 2015
AFTER 36K MILES, THE CAR STEERING WOULD STICK AND SLIP. PA DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE AS THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEED 65MPH. BUT, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REPORT ABOUT STEERING STICKING/SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND CAME BACK AFTER 36K MORE MILES ON THE NEW STEERING RACK. CAR IS AT VA DEALER TODAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS I MOVED. CAR ALSO HESITATES AND JERKS BACK WHEN ACCELERATING AND HAS DONE THAT SINCE A YEAR AFTER OWNED VEHICLE. LOVE THE CAR DESIGN BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER STEERING. AT TIMES STEERING FEELS LOOSE CAR HAS SLIPPED ON ICE AND CANNOT CONTROL STEERING. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FEEL THE STEERING DESIGN IS POOR. STEERING RACK DESIGN IS A SIMPLE CONCEPT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING. *TR