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: other or unspecified
53 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2019
MY WIPERS STARTED DOING INTERMITTENT OPERATING AND IT WAS RAINING AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY WIPERS FELL APART AND THE WIPER TRANSMISSION STOP WORK AND I HAD NO WIPERS AT ALL. I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED OF 60 MILES AN HOUR DURING A WINTER STORM. I HAD NO VISIBILITY AT ALL. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER WHO WAS TRAILING ME FROM BEHIND.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2019
KEY LOCKED IN KEYSWITCH.. CAN'T PUT THE VEHICLE IN ANY GEAR.. STUCK IN PARK..
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2019
AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS TIRED PRESSURE IS OFF THEN A SENSOR THEN THE CAR STARTS TURNING OFF ON ME AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 23, 2019
AT THE START OF VEHICLE IS FINE BUT ONCE PUT IN GEAR REVERSE AND GO TO PUT BACK UP IT CUTS OFF IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT'S OK THEN WHILE DRIVING IT IS OK ONCE STOP AT RED LIGHT OR JUST STOP IN TRAFFIC IT CUTS OFF ONCE IT'S CUTS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND HARD TO PUT BACK IN PARK ONCE IT STOPS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONCE CAR IS BACK ON ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES BACK OUT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THE TOLD ME TO CONTACT MANUFACTURE BECAUSE ALL CODES ARE GOOD
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2019
MY 2012 EQUINOX JUST DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT STOP LIGHTS I HAVE TO SOMETIMES JUST PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID IT DYING. SOMETIMES IT STILL DOES. THEN IT TAKES FOREVER FOR IT TO GET BACK TO NORMAL ONLY TO EVENTUALLY DO IT AGAIN.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2019
TODAY 08/9/2019 MY WIFE SHOWED ME WHERE SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE GLOVE BOX IT DID MELT THE PLASTIC COVER,NO ONE WILL HELP ME WITH LIFT GATE GOES UP 1/4 WAY DOWN,UP THE ALL THE WAY DOWN HAVE GOTTEN IT 3 TIMES IN THE HEAD I HAVE TOLD CATALANO MOTORS ABOUT IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEVER GOT FIXED.REAR WINDOW ON PASS SIDE NEVER WORKED AND LIGHT DON'T GO ON WHEN YOU OPEN REAR DOOR,MANUAL TRANSMISSION NEVER WORKED,NO OFFENCE BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE MY 75 DELTA 88 I'M JUST NOT PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLES.MISS HAVING MY 97 F150 THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME,ALSO THE LIFT GATE WOULD GO UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF WITH KEYS IN MY HAND I REALLY WISH I COULD AFFORD TO GET NEW OR DIFF KIND OF VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2019
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BACK IN 2015. IT WAS A USED CAR AT THIS TIME. I DONT KNOW IF THE RECALLS WERE EVER DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I NEED THE RECALLS TO BE REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2019
TAKARA RECALL, TIMING CHAIN IS LOOSE CAUSING A LOT OF NOISES AND SHAKING IN MY CAR. RECENTLY THE CAR HAD STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHEN BARELY MOVING OR SITTING STILL (WHILE PARKED, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN) AND THE ENGINE WANTS TO KEEP GOING.
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2019
CHEVROLET HAS SINCE FIXED THE ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE HOWEVER I TRULY FEEL THE ISSUE I HAD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN & WOULD CERTAINLY HATE THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN DEC. 2015 & IT OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I CONTACTED OUR NEAREST CHEVROLET DELEARSHIP A FEW TIMES AND THEY NEVER FOUND ANY ISSUES. I THEN SUBMITTED A BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINT BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF & MY FAMILY. I EMAILED GM DIRECTLY ON 12/23/15. GM THEN GOT INVOLVED AND SENT A GM PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN TO INVESTIGATE OUR VEHICLE. THE GM TECHNICIAN THEN CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH OUR VEHICLE AND REPLACED SOME PARTS. SINCE THEN WE NO LONGER HAD THAT ISSUE. ONCE WE WERE ON A RED LIGHT OUR VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. WE HAD TO TURN OUR KEY TO REMOVE IT, PUT IT BACK IN. NOW I DON'T REMEMBER IF WE PUT THE GEAR ON PARK DURING THIS TIME. BUT ONCE WE PUT THE KEY BACK IN, OUR VEHICLE THEN STARTED BACK UP. I CONTACTED COLONIAL CHEVROLET, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. LEFT & HOPING IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. SECOND TIME WE PUT THE VEHICLE ON REAR, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. WE THEN DID THE SAME THING BY TURNING THE KEY TO REMOVE IT AND THEN PUTTING IT BACK IN. IT THEN STARTED AFTERWARDS. FROM THOSE 2 INCIDENTS THAT IS WHEN I HAD TO SUBMIT A BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS SAFETY CONCERN. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH OUR YOUNG CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE SO SAFETY IS MY CONCERN. I HOPE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ANY ONE ELSE BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE OTHER'S TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO FORWARD THE EMAILS I EMAILED GM PRIOR ABOUT THIS RECALL & THE COMPLAINT. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NOT LOCATE THE PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP OF WHAT WAS THE ISSUE AND WHAT PARTS THEY REPLACED BUT I AM VERY SURE GM & THE DEALERSHIP HAS A COPY OF THIS.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 14, 2019
HAD FUSES CHECKED BECAUSE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT DON'T WORK WINDOW DON'T GO DOWN MANUEL SHIFT DON'T WORK AND REAR LIFTGATE GOES UP THEN QUARTER WAYS DOWN THEN BACK UP THEN COMES DOWN ON YOU NOW IT GOES UP BY IT'S SELF ALSO IT WON'T LOCK.IT WILL GO UP WHEN IT'S STATIONARY
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 6, 2019
FROZEN PVC SYSTEM FORCING REAR MAIN SEALS TO BLOW OUT. THE CAR STARTED FINE BUT SOON STARTED TRYING TO CUT OFF...BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. CAR SOON CUT OFF. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 84,596 MILES ON IT.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 31, 2019
THE TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 140,000 MILES. ($2,000) [OCCURRED JAN. 2018] THEIR IS AN ISSUE CAUSING WITH LEAKY PISTONS CAUSING OIL TO EVAPORATE. MY CAR WAS LOW ON OIL (THOUGH THE "LOW OIL" INDICATOR HAD NOT GONE OFF) AND THE PRESSURE INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BREAK. (REPLACEMENT OF REFURBISHED ENGINE + LABOR EST. $4,000) [OCCURRED JAN 2018 AT 170,000 MILES) NOT TO MENTION THAT THE BACK,LEFT DOOR IS CLOSED, THOUGH A SENSOR SAYS IT IS AJAR. THE SENSORS IN THE TIRES ARE ALWAYS WAY OFF, TEMPTING ME TO OVER-INFLATE TIRES. [INFINITY.]
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2019
OIL LIGHT DON'T COME ON WHEN THERE IS KNOW OIL IN THE ENGINE THE P V C FROZE AND BLOWN OUT THE BACK SEAL . THE OIL SYSTEM DO NOT WORK RIGHT. THEY SAY IN 2013 THEY FIX THE OIL SYSTEM BUT WE NEVER TOOK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SO HOW THEY FIX IT. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2012 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE. MY WIFE BROUGHT THE EQUINOXE FROM KELLEY COURTESY MOTORS IN DECATUR IN 46733 . THEY SOLD MY WIFE A LEMON.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 15, 2018
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH UNDER 76,000 MILES ON IT TELL ME IT NEED A NEW TIMING CHAIN. THE CRAMSHAFT POSITION HAS ISSUES. I TURNED THE CAR ON ONE DAY TO GO TO WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAN ON I'M BEING TOLD THAT'S THE ISSUE. I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW A CAR 6 YEARS OLD NEEDS ENGINE WORK TO THIS EXTENT!?
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2018
STARTS OCCASIONALLY
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
THE WIPER BLADE MOTOR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN. IT CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, FIRST TIME WE HAD IT REPAIRED WAS IN 2015 AND NOW AGAIN IN 2018.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2018
I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED MOVING. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED 10 OTHER VEHICLES OLDER THAN THIS VEHICLE THAT IS 6 YEARS OLD AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.
Other or unspecified, May 11, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" WENT TO GO SOMEWHERE GOT IN STARTED THE CAR, WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE IT STALLED. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED IT AGAIN, IT STALLED WHILE STILL IN PARK. WAITED A MINUTE OR SO STARTED CAR AGAIN IT WAS OK UNTIL I PUT IT IN REVERSE. STALLED AGAIN. IT WILL START BUT STALLS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 26, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. VEHICLE OFTEN STALLS UPON STOPPING AND AT TIMES HAS AN EXTREMELY HARD DECEL, WHICH CONTINUES AFTER THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. VEHICLE IDLES HARD. UPON PARKING, VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY REPORTED REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND " CHECK STABILI TRAK" NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER 40 MPH.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2018
WAS ALL DAY WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING THEN I WENT TO THE MOVIES AT NIGHT TIME AND WHEN I WAS LEAVING IT STARTED POURING AND MY WI DAGWOOD WIPERS WORKED FOR 20 SECONDS THEN CUT OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE 20 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHILE IT WAS PORING DOWN RAIN.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 30, 2017
CAR ENGINE STUMBLED 5 TIMES THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY WHILE IN MOTION 35-45 MPH. WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. FEELS LIKE IT STAYS STUCK AND WONT MOVE. LAST INCIDENT 1 NOV 2017.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2017
MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING PARTS TO BREAK IN VEHICLE AND ENGINE TO GO. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT WHEN IT GOES YOU CAN BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE AS IT WILL NOT RUN AT ALL. SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLES ONLY GOOD FOR VEHICLES UNDER 120,000 MILES, BUT MANY PEOPLE RECEIVED LETTERS AFTER THAT MILEAGE. WAS TOLD TODAY BY A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IT WAS UNSAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNLESS IT WAS FIXED. FIX IS OVER 1200 UNLESS IT TOTALLY RUINS YOUR VEHICLE OR GETS YOU KILLED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN LONG BEFORE PROBLEMS ACTUALLY OCCURRED, BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT WAS A LITTLE OVER MILEAGE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 14, 2017
MY APP SENSOR GOING OUT AND WHEN I DRIVE I HEAR A NOSE AND MY CAR FEEL LIKE SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TIRES. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION HAS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. 2012 EQUINOX 130K MILES CAR SHUTS OFF AT STOP SIGNS OR PULLING OUT. I'M NOW REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS TAKEN SERIOULY. NOTHING BUT ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED 3 YEARS AGO!