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, Jan 10, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AND NEEDED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND ALMOST RUN INTO A BRICK WALL. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM GM ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENCE THAT STATED THE STEERING WILL LOCK IN PLACE. I CONTACTED GM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Dec 16, 2014
STEERING BECAME STICKY AND JERKY. SCARY. FEELING LIKE MAYBE I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL THEN WENT AWAY. HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS DRIVING THE HIGHWAY. HASN'T OCCURRED SINCE LAST YEAR AS I RECALL. DIDN'T TAKE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE PROBLEM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. BUT A FEW DAYS AGO I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ACKNOWLEDGING THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL/YEAR AND TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT IF THEY COULD NOT DRIVE IT AND DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND SINCE IT HASN'T HAPPENED RECENTLY, THEY TOLD ME TO JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. I AM MORE CONCERNED NOW THAT THEY APPARENTLY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND MUST KNOW THE PROPER REPAIR, BUT DO NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR. WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I AM NOT SO FORTUNATE IN MY ABILITY TO STEER PAST THE STICK AND JERK? *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000..UPDATED 09/ 30/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO BREAK FREE AND CONTINUED MOVING ABOUT TWO INCHES. AT THE SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/08/14
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2014
WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE WHEN GOING AROUND 30 MILES PER HOUR THERE IS A HESITATION THEN A SURGE. IT HAS BEEN DOING THAT SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2013
WHEN THE CAR IS EXCELLING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AROUND THE TIME THE CAR IS REACHING 10 MPH, BRAKING FOR A COMPLETE STOP THAN HAVING TO ACCELERATE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP; SUCH AS WHEN A STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, OR SLOWING DOWN FROM EXITING THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT HARD, MAKING A 'CLUNK' TYPE SOUND. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE SUDDEN SMALL JERKING MOTION. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, IN VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CRUISE HAS BEEN ON AND OFF WHEN THE STEERING ISSUE HAS OCCURRED; THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN ON AND OFF WHEN THE STEERING ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. I DRIVE IN 'ECO' MODE REGULARLY. AND I AM NOT INCLUDING SUDDEN STOPS IN THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 30, 2012, fire
THE NIGHT SANDY HIT ON THE EAST COAST, IT WAS WINDY IN MICHIGAN. OUR CITY WAS DOING LEAF PICKUP AROUND THAT TIME SO LEAVES WERE ACCUMULATED AT THE EDGES OF THE ROADS. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN THROUGH A SUBDIVISION ON A PAVED ROAD AND IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE. GM WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE. THEY SAY LEAVES BLEW UP UNDER THE CAR AND THEY ARE WHAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. HOW CAN VULNERABLE AREAS NOT BE SHIELDED FROM THIS? THE CAR WAS ABOUT A MONTH OLD!!! THE FIRE BURNT FOR ABOUT 7 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. A TEAM FROM GM INSPECTED THE CAR AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN LET US SEE THEIR REPORT. WE HAVEN'T HAD A CAR FOR OVER A MONTH AND I FOR ONE AM FURIOUS! THEY TELL US IF WE HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED WE LOSE ANY RIGHT TO PURSUE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.... WE HAVE TO PAY $500 (OUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE) TO START REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THEY WONT TELL US WHAT IS DAMAGED EVEN THOUGH WE PURCHASED ADDITIONAL INSURANCE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THROUGH THE DEALER TO COVER OUR DEDUCTIBLE IN THE EVENT OF DAMAGE... ALL THEY SAY IS THAT IT WAS OUR FAULT FOR NOT READING THE MANUAL REGARDING DRIVING OR PARKING OVER LEAVES... WE FOUND REFERENCE TO IT IN THE OFF ROAD PORTION OF THE MANUAL. THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. *TR
Steering, Aug 17, 2012
ADJUSTABLE TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK INTO POSITION UNLESS IT WAS MOVED UP AND DOWN IN AND OUT TO FIND GEAR. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SHOWED ME AN 2012 EQUINOX ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR THAT DID SAME THING. DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR EQUINOX? *TR
Steering, Aug 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXHIBITING A LOUD GROWLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO ABNORMALLY VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADDED THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING NOISE WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200. ..UPDATED 09-21-12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPED. UPDATED 09/25/12
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 9, 2012
WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT, AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STAY CRANKED. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A GM TERRAIN AND HERS DOES THE SAME THING. WHEN TURNING THERE IS A KNOCKING IN THE STEERING. THE SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLING SOUND LIKE THEY ARE BUSTED, BUT IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL OF THE TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER, BUT OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, THE CAR NOW HAS 23,000 AND IT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. (THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2011 WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR). *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GROANING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER IT WAS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. UPDATED 7/20/12 *CN UPDATED 07/30/12
Steering, Nov 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,177. UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ UPDATED 12/22/11