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
Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2017
I WAS GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND MY WIPERS WENT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND STOPPED WORKING, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY THAT I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER. IT WAS DARK OUT IN POURING RAIN WITH SEMI TRUCKS ALL AROUND ME. THIS HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, SO MY CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR REPAIR.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAWKS CHEVROLET IN BEESVILE, ILLINOIS WHERE THE TRANS-MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN RELATION TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2017
ON MAY 21, 2017 WHILE DRIVING STRAING DOWN I-94 AT 70MPH IN DOWNPOUR THE BUSHING ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION GAVE WAY, CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION (WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS FLEW OFF TO THE SIDE OF MY CAR, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN MOVEMENT). MY VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED REQUIRING ME TO CAREFULLY NAVIGATE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD (HUSBAND & 2 SMALL CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS). I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED TO SAFELY DRIVE. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING IT WITH A BUSHING FROM AUTOZONE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REPLACEMENT BUSHING ALSO GAVE WAY & ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 THE EVENT OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON M-106. AGAIN, I HAD TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO CLEAR. WE HAD SERVICE REPAIR DONE AT NORM'S AUTOMOTIVE IN SOUTH LYON WHERE HE REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY ($400 IN REPAIRS). THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE IN CANADA, INCLUDING ONTARIO, WITH A WORK AROUND THAT ENTAILS PLUGGING A DRAIN HOLE & DRILLING A NEW DRAIN HOLE ABOVE THE CURRENT LOCATION TO PREVENT INCLEMENT WHETHER FROM CORRODING THE BUSHING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT "STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT" IN MICHIGAN.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 14, 2017
WHILE DRIVING HE VEHICLE IN A POURING RAIN THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I WAS TOTALLY BLINDED BY THE RAIN AND COULDN'T SEE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE WIPER LINKAGE TRANSMISSION AND IT COST OVER $300 TO REPLACE. THIS PART WAS RECALLED ON 2011 AND 2013 EQUINOXES AND NOT 2012. THE PIECE HAD CORRODED AND PART HAD FELL OFF. PLEASE REPORT THIS TO CHEVY AND RECALL FOR THE 2012'S PLEASE. VERY HARROWING EVENT WHEN THE WIPERS STOPPED.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 19, 2017
IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON HIGH. THE DRIVER WAS PULLING THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED MID-SWIPE. THE WIPER WAS LEFT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. THE DRIVER PARKED AND TRIED TO PUSH GENTLY TO GET THE WIPER "UNSTUCK", BUT EVENTUALLY JUST PUSHED IT TO THE WIPER RESTING POSITION. THE WIPERS NO LONGER MOVE AT ALL. WE ASSUME THAT THE WIPER GEARS BROKE OR BECAME SEIZED WHILE RUNNING, BUT WE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL A MECHANIC LOOKS AT THEM. WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL IT IS NOT RAINING TO DRIVE TO THE MECHANIC AND GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSY STREET, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. WE UNDERSTAND THERE IS ALREADY A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE EXTENDED TO THE 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX YEAR WE OWN.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 8, 2017
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY VEHICLE (VIN #2GNALDEK6C396483) STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE WIPERS WERE MOVED TO HIGH SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP (NORTHSTAR CHEVROLET IN CLIFTON PARK NY) REPLACED THE WIPER MODULE (PART #84241847) AND PLUG (PART # 15259076) ON 06/07/2017. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT WIT THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCE RECALL OF 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX VEHICLES WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER ISSUES. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE HEAVY RAIN.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2017
DURING A RAINSTORM, AND WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, MY FRONT WIPERS FAILED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, HAD CORRODED AND BROKEN WIPER MODULE REPAIRED/REPLACED. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY THE 2013 OR LATER MODELS WERE RECALLED EVEN THOUGH THIS EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED ON MY 2012 MODEL WHICH THE DEALER WAS AWARE IS THE SAME PART AND ISSUE. PAID FOR THE SERVICE BUT ASKING WHY THIS RECALL WAS NOT EXTENDED TO OTHER MODELS WHEN THE SAME FAILURE IS OCCURRING. FILED A REPORT WITH GM ON THIS ISSUE AS WELL BUT NO RESOLUTION ON REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. THE ISSUE NEARLY CAUSED A HIGHWAY SPEED ACCIDENT AND SIGNIFICANT COST DUE TO TRAVEL DELAYS.
Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. ONCE THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING, SHE HAD TO STOP FIVE TIMES DUE TO THE WIPER FAILURE BEFORE DRIVING TO A DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,697. UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ *CN
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BECAME LOOSE AND FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PERMANENTLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 28, 2017
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAIN STORM MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE NEXT EXIT AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP SO I COULD CLEARLY SEE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL BUT IT DID NOT INVOLVE MY VIN NUMBER. CAR HAS 90,000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 25, 2017
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING WIND AND RAIN STORM. THE MECHANISM THAT MOVES THE WIPER ARMS POPPED OFF THE BALL JOINT/SOCKET ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION. IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT NOW I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT IF I WAS ON A ROAD WITHOUT A SHOULDER OR IN A MIDDLE LANE IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP LINE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DEFROSTER BLOWER SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP. THE ISSUE HINDERED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BLOWER MODULE AND MOTOR WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 16, 2016
WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFFECTING ONE WIPER. SYMPTOMS SAME AS CURRENT 2013 RECALL. DRIVER WIPER DOES NOT WORK - PASSENGER WIPER DOES.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT 15 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VIEW TO BE OBSCURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2016
WNDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED DURING A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM, WIPERS WENT LIMP AND TURNING THE WIPER LEVER ON AND OFF DID NOT HELP. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE THIS ITEM IN STOCK, MUST BE A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR(?) THE REPAIR BILL AT VAN YORK CHEV WAS $340.83. COULD NOT PROCEED ON UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 1, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN STORM WIPERS QUIT WORKING WITH NO WARNING. I HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND TRY TO GET OFF THE ROAD, ALMOST WENT IN A DITCH. 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH 45000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 26, 2014
EVERY TIME A SMALL ROCK HITS MY WINDSHIELD IT CRACKS OR CHIPS. SMALL SAND OR GRAVEL EVEN PUTS CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD. CHEVY HAS A HISTORY OF USING INCORRECT PRIMER, SO I AM WONDERING IF IT IS STILL AN ISSUE. I CAN VISIBLY SEE OVER 10 CHIPS IN MY WINDSHIELD. *TR