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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2016
THE MY LINK RADIO GOES OUT AT AROUND 40,000 TO 50,000 MILES. WITH THE LOSS OF THE RADIO YOU LOSE BACKUP CAMERA AND ALL THE INFO ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING WARNINGS SUCH AS TURN INDICATOR NOISES, HAZARD NOISES, AND ALL THE OTHER SMART FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 16, 2016
JULY 10, 2015: I TOOK MY 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX LT (2.4 L 4 CYL) TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN KY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT 100,505 MILES AND I WANTED IT CHECKED BEFORE DRIVING ON VACATION DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE, A ROUGH IDLE AND BECAUSE IT HAD RECENTLY SHUT OFF WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. A GM GOODWRENCH MULTI-POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. I WAS TOLD THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGN OF ANY ISSUES BUT I WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES BEFORE WINTER. BY DEC 2015 THE ROUGH IDLE HAD GOTTEN MUCH WORSE, THE VEHICLE WAS LOUD (ALMOST SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL), WOULD JERK AND FELT LIKE IT MAY SHUT OFF ANY TIME I HAD TO STOP OR DRIVE SLOWER SPEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WOULD "SLIP" AS IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC 8, 2015. THE CAR WAS AT 115,720 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION, #2 CYLINDER, SPARK PLUG AND COIL WERE REPLACED AND A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS IDLED HIGH REVVING TO 4,000+RPM AT TIMES BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS (PARTICULARLY WHEN DRIVING 70+MPH ON THE INTERSTATE). DOWNSHIFTING TO LOWER GEARS DOESN'T ALWAYS GO SMOOTH EITHER. THE ROUGH IDLE HAS RETURNED AND PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. THE CAR ALMOST SHUT OFF WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ON FEB 13, 2016. YESTERDAY (FEB 15, 2016), THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING! THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO IT SHUTTING OFF. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RE-STARTED THE CAR AND FINISHED THE FINAL (~3) MILES TO WORK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM WORK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK (THE OIL LIFE SENSOR SHOWED ~25% LIFE LEFT ON OIL) AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS 2 QTS LOW ON OIL. THE CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP AS OF TODAY, FEB 16, 2016. THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON WWW.ARFC.ORG. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES!
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2014
VEHICLE LOUDLY IDLES WHEN STARTING. WHEN STOPPED VEHICLE IDLES IN A JUMPING MOTION.