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: visibility/wiper
121 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2026
Wipers do not work Seems to not recognize when idling and starts to shake if stopped at a red light. Randomly will go through 2 quarts of oil in one day
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2024
My drivers side wiper blade stopped working while the passenger side is still working. I saw a recall for this linkage on the site but it’s not for my specific VIN. Additionally, my catalytic converter has damage due to excessive oil consumption. Halfway through my regular oil changes the oil is almost completely empty. Again, there’s a recall on this for my specific make, model and year but not for my VIN. I feel these should be covered to be fixed by manufacture due to symptoms equivalent to recall.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2024
Windshield wipers stopped working
Visibility/wiper, Jan 27, 2024
While operating my vehicle today, it began to rain and I went to turn on my wipers, and they would not turn on. I had to pull over several times due to poor visibility ecause of the rain. I had to wait for traffic to slow down or pass me by to avoid an accident. This has never happened to me and I was scared out of my mind.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2023
A light sprinkle happen and I turned on wipers and they immediately stopped. Fuse looks fine. I'm a Single father and can't afford to fix and this shouldn't have happen.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2023
Multiple ongoing issues with the vehicle (oil consumption - approximately 2 quarts consumed per oil life cycle with the updated oil life index monitor, clogged catalytic converter - likely due to the oil consumption) with the most recent being a windshield wiper linkage failure and the Special Coverage that expired 10 months ago based on time, but vehicle is still within the mileage limit of the Special Coverage. The Special Coverage, N192266180 Wiper Transmission Arm Linkage Failure, is good for 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. The subject vehicle coverage expired on 4/26/22 and it is now March 2023; the vehicle has 122,689 miles on it versus the 150,000 mile limit. The issue was discovered when my daughter attempted to use them to wipe some wet snow from the window but the wipers did not move...she thought the wipers were frozen. When I checked the wipers, you could hear the wiper motor attempting to actuate the wipers but there was not movement of the wiper blades. The wipers can be moved by hand with both wipers moving in unison when one wiper arm is pulled/pushed back and forth, so it appears this is the condition in the special coverage. Contacted a Chevrolet dealer as well as Chevrolet Customer Assistance and neither would offer any coverage since the Special Coverage expired by time (even though the vehicle is well within the mileage limit). Fortunately, the failed wiper system did not cause an accident, but this could easily be considered a safety issue that should have full coverage by Chevrolet, regardless of mileage and time, under a product safety recall.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2022
Was driving on the highway to work this morning while raining and wipers just stopped. Had to pull over to wait for rain to stop and caused me to be late for work
Visibility/wiper, Jul 27, 2022
I was driving home from work at approximately 6:45 pm, during a downpour with high winds. My wipers had been on their highest setting for about 30 seconds or so when they rotated beyond their usual stopping place, to the point where the driver-side wiper was actually off the windshield and resting on the body of the car, and then completely stopped working. Changing the interval settings did not have any effect. When I stopped on the side of the road I turned off the wipers, put them back onto the windshield, and tried turning on the wipers on again, but they still did not move. I did however hear the wiper motor activating at regular intervals like its trying to move the wipers(no grinding/clicking indicating resistance), and when I move one wiper manually the other moves in tandem, so I believe that one of the parts that connects the wiper motor to the wiper arm assembly (not just a single wiper) is what failed. While it wasn't dark out yet, it was raining hard enough that visibility was reduced even with the wipers on; so having them go out like they did in a high-traffic area at the end of rush-hour put the safety of myself and others at risk. Vehicle is a 2012 Equinox LTZ, 166,815 miles, nothing on the dash at the time of the failure, and no sounds/symptoms to indicate a pending failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet since it just happened today, but I am trying to see if I can visually locate the part that failed, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I don't know if any others have had this problem on a 2012 Equinox, but I am aware of a recall on components from the wiper systems on the 2014 Equinox that was just announced in May 2022, as well as a recall back in 2016 on the 2013 Equinox; both of which were due to part corrosion causing the wipers to fail.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2022
Yesterday I was driving home during a rain storm and my windshield wipers all of a sudden stopped working. I had to pull over on the highway and wait for the storm to pass which was very dangerous situation to be in on the side of the highway with low visibility due to the rain and wind. We took a look at it later that night and the linkage came apart. There were no warning signs it just all of a sudden stopped working. I did find a special coverage adjustment that is available for this vehicle but I have over the 150,000 miles which doesn't apply to this vehicle. Are there other options for those vehicles that are over the 150,000 mileage.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2022
Wiper assembly has had to be repaired twice and then replaced altogether due to plastic caps in wiper assembly. While driving in a heavy rain, the wipers just stop mid swipe, which nearly caused a wreck due to visibility reduction. The same problem has happened in other Equinox vehicles before and after my vehicle year, and had recalled for safety issue but not 2012.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 3, 2022
Windshield wiper malfunction Wipers stopped operating completely
Visibility/wiper, Jan 18, 2022
Wipers stopped working while driving on highway in light rain. In heavy rain lost all visibility leaving me no choice but to pull over to shoulder. Motor and linkage had to be replaced. Other Equinox years affected, but no recall listed for this vehicle’s vin.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 22, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Wiper transmission linkage How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Loss of visibility while driving Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH in the rain with the windshield wipers activated, the windshield wipers became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2021
My wipers continues to not work. I changed the motor and the arms still work when they want to come on. They even do this in a down pour of rain which causes me not to be able to see
Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2021
Driving home in a heavy downpour, I engaged my wipers from medium speed to high. The driver side wipers extended over the edge of the car and got hung up. Turned off wipers. Pulled over and lifted the wipers back into position. Turned wipers back on. Wipers would not restart.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2021
THE DRIVER WINDSHIELD WIPER CAME OFF AND MOTOR BROKE BY JUST TURNING THEM ON. THE DRIVER WIPER STOPPED WORKING AND THE PASSENGER ONE IS THE ONLY ONE WORKING.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR THE FRONT QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS SNOWING AND AFTER CLEANING THE CAR AND WINDSHIELD, I WENT TO USE THE WIPERS TO FINISH CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. I WENT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK AND DISCOVERED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER SIDE WAS STATIONARY IN ITS HOME RESTING LOCATION, THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ABLE TO FREELY MOVE BY HAND, WITH NO RESISTANCE
Visibility/wiper, Dec 1, 2020
DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A MAIN ROUTE IN MODERATE RAIN TURNED THE WIPERS ON. THE DRIVER WIPER WENT UP STRONG ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER WENT OVER INTO THE DRIVERSIDE AND THE WIPER FROZE SO ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER WORKED TO COVER 85% OF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 23, 2020
FRONT WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. WIPER MOTOR WAS RUNNING, BUT THE WIPERS WERE NOT MOVING
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2020
ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND - WAS STOPPED IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OUT A PARKING LOT. THE RAINFALL INCREASED SUDDENLY AND I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM INTERMEDIATE TO HIGH SPEED. THE WORKED ONCE, THEN STOPPED IN THE UP POSITION. ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENGAGE THE WIPER CONTROL ON THE CAR, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT RESPOND. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY MOVED TO ARMS TO THE DOWN POSITION. WAITED 20 MINUTES FOR THE STORM TO CLEAR. TURNED ON HAZZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE SLOWLY HOME APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AWAY IN LIGHT RAIN. WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE AND WILL BE ASKING GM TO COVER THE COST IF THE REPAIRS AS I AM RATHER CONFIDENT THUS ISSUE IS SIMILAR (IF NOT EXACTLY LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE CONCERNING FAULTY WIPER LINKAGE IN THE WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. SHAME ON GM FOR PUTTING OUT A RECALL ON 2013 EQUINOX VEHICLES BUT NOT ON THE 2012 EQUINIX WHICH USES THE SAME PART FOR THE WIPER ASSEMBLY/MOTOR/TRANSMISSION/LINKAGE ARM. A $4 PLASTIC PART TH AAS T MAY COST ME OVER $300 TO FIX. ALREADY HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED EARLIER ON DUE TO EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION (THAT ISSUE WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY AT THE TIME). IF GM WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR (WHICH THEY KNOW IS AN ISSUE BUT IS APPARENTLY WAITING FOR A CASUALTY TO ISSUE A RECALL), I WILL BE BUYING A NON-GM VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. VEHICLE: EQUINOX SUV MODEL YEAR: 2012
Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2020
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2020
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, IN BUSY CITY TRAFFIC ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WIPERS STOPPED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AS I COULD BARELY SEE. I COULD STILL HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING BUT THE WIPER ARMS WERE NOT MOVING. I COULD NOT PROCEED SAFELY AND HAD TO PARK THE CAR 40 MILES FROM HOME & CALL FOR A RIDE HOME. NOW WITH IT HOME WE FIND THE LINKAGE FAILED - MOTOR RUNS BUT NO MOVEMENT. ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR EQUINOX, WHERE ONLY THE 2013 IS COVERED - BUT 2012 HAS THE EXACT SAME UNIT IN IT. TOLD REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE OVER $200, WHERE IT IS SUGGESTED THE PART IS $10 ONLINE. I SADLY HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR COSTLY REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL IF THE 2013S ARE. GM ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM FOR THE 2013S, AND MADE CHANGES FOR THE FUTURE ... SO WHY NOT COVER THE 2012S AND PRIOR THAT HAVE THE SAME UNIT IN THEM, EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE?
Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2020
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT(STATIONARY). *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2020
I WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN LIGHT RAIN WHEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AS I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO MY HOME SAFELY. I CHECKED THE GM WEBSITE BY ENTERING MY VIN BUT RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND AFTER THE REPAIR I WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THAT GM COVERED THE COST TO REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I AM ATTACHING A COPY OF THE INVOICE. I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT ONLY SO OTHERS WILL NOT END UP PAYING FOR SUCH A REPAIR WHEN MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR NOTICE OF SUCH COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.