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
685 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2019
LATE EVENING, I WAS DRIVING IN A BUSY SUBURBAN STREET WHER THE SPEED LIMIT IS 35MPH. IT WAS RAINING LIGHTLY, SOON AFTER START RAINING HAVILY. I SWITCHED THE WINSHIELD WIPER TO HIGH SPEED AND THE WINSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.I COULD NO LONGER SEE WHERE I WAS GOING AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I MANAGE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP.. PLASTIC BUSHING CAME OFF FROM WINDSHIELD WIPER RAILING. THE CAR HAS 61,000 MILES.
Engine, Sep 25, 2019
MY 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX MOTOR HAS BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED BY AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE... THE ENGINES HAVE BEEN BLOWING UP...THEY OIL SYSTEM NOTIFICATION LIGHTS ARE FAULTY AND HAS NEVER CAME ON... THEREFORE WE HAVE TO CHECK & PUT OIL IN OUR CAR BEFORE DRIVING EVERYDAY!! THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN OUR MOTOR SCRAPS OF METAL, TIMING CHAIN, PISTON N RINGS, STALLING CHOKING ETC..ON EVERY ROAD WE ARE..SCAREY WHILE ON HIGHWAY N CAR STALLS OUT!!! WE HAVE PUT 1000 $ INTO THIS CAR ALREADY GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND EVEN THOU THERE ARE 1000'S WITH SAME PROBLEM AND CLASS ACTIONS SUITS!! PLEASE HELP US BE SAFE ON THE ROAD AND HAVE GM STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THEM THAT'S ALL I WANT IS MY CAR FIXED...NOTHING MORE I AM WITHIN THE MILES AND THE TIME FRAME BEEN PUTTING MY OWN MONEY INTO THIS SINCE APRIL OF 2019 THANK YOU
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAD THE WIPERS IN THE HIGHEST SPEED SETTING. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEXT TO US WHEN THIS HAPPENED - WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE STORM TO LIGHTEN AS VISIBILITY VERY QUICKLY WENT TO ZERO WITHOUT BOTH FRONT WIPERS WORKING. THE WIPER MOTOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT THE LINKAGE OR TRANSMISSION HAD DISCONNECTED AT ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS.
Engine, Aug 27, 2019
THE ENGINE HAS BEING REPLACE AND WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS ONE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CAME ON TWICE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AS WELL
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2019
BOTH WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN A HEAVY RAIN ON FREEWAY. I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNER ON CHEVY EQUINOX TOO
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
Visibility/wiper, Aug 21, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, GOING 60 MPH IN THE PNW. IT WAS DUMPING RAIN AND I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT AND ALL I COULD SEE WAS ALL THE CARS AHEAD OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. MY WINDSHIELD WAS GLOWING RED FROM THE BREAK LIGHTS. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I DIDN'T CRASH MY CAR OR HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SO CLOSE TO THEM. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND HAD TO LITERALLY STICK HALF THE UPPER PORTION OF MY BODY OUT THE WINDOW TO SEE A LITTLE BIT. THANK GOODNESS, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER 4 LANES (AFTER FORCING MY WAY THROUGH, I HAD NO CHOICE BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE). EVERYONE WAS HONKING AT ME LIKE I WAS THE BIGGEST JERK, BUT IF I DIDN'T MOVE OVER I WAS GOING TO KILL US OR SOMEONE ELSE WHO WAS DRIVING. I AM SERIOUSLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. NOT SHOCKING, I LOOKUP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING. NOTHING! THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME CHEVY HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS EQUINOX HAVING PROBLEMS. IT ALSO HAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND NOW IT DIDN'T JUST GIVE ME A HUGE MECHANICAL BILL, IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE AND MY SONS. I'M SO DEFEATED AT THIS POINT. THIS CAR IS NOT RELIABLE FOR SOMEONE WITH CHILDREN OR ANYONE WHO IS LIVING IN THE PNW WHERE IT RAINS CONSTANTLY. SUPER THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 21, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TIME DURING LIGHT RAIN. WITHOUT WARNING, BOTH WIPERS STOPPED IN THE UP POSITION. I TRIED TURNING THE WIPERS OFF AND BACK ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I TURNED THE WIPERS OFF AND GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT AND PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION TO GET UNDER SOME LIGHT. I TRIED TO MOVE THE WIPERS AND THEY WENT INTO THEIR RESTING POSITION. I THEN TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND COULD HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING BUT THE WIPERS WERE NOT MOVING. FORTUNATELY, THE RAIN STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TRIP HOME. JUST A FEW DAYS EARLIER, I DROVE THROUGH A VERY HEAVY RAIN STORM AND THANK THE LORD THAT THE WIPERS DIDN'T QUIT AT THAT TIME. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS GOING.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2019
AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK DURING A THUNDERSTORM, MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THEY WORKED MAYBE FOR 2 SECONDS AND STOPPED RIGHT IN MY LINE OF SIGHT. MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT THIS TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2019
IT STARTED TO RAIN HEAVILY I TURNED ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY CAME ON WENT TO THE LEFT SIDE AND STOPPED WORKING LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS TERRIFYING. DURING RESEARCH IT SEEMS THE SAME COMPLAINT OVER AND OVER WIPERS STOP WORKING LEAVING YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A DOWNPOUR
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.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 9, 2019
2012 CHEVY EQUINOX, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGNS OR ISSUES, DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROADWAY APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN THE RAIN. THE WIPER REMAINED IN THE UP POSITION. DEALER CHARGED $320 PARTS AND LABOR FOR "WIPER MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION FOUND TO BE BROKEN REPLACED ALL".
Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD THAT HAS A LOT OF HILLS AND TURNS, DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING CAUSING MY VISION TO BE IMPAIRED WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO SEE IF IT WOULD START WORKING AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND TRIED TO SEE IF THE WIPERS MAY HAVE GOTTEN STUCK ON SOMETHING BUT THEY WERE NOT.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 28, 2019
HAD FRONT WIPERS ON "INTERMITTENT" IN A LIGHT RAIN, WHICH QUICKLY BECAME A HEAVY SUMMER RAINSTORM. UPON SWITCHING THE WIPERS TO HIGH SPEED, THE WIPERS MADE ONE UPWARD PASS AND COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION. THE RAIN WAS SO HEAVY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HAD TO STOP IN THE TRAFFIC LANE WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ME DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY, WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THE WIPERS WORKED FINE WITHOUT ANY UNUSUAL NOISES, ETC. I BROUGHT MY EQUINOX TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY COMPLETED THE REPAIR.
Engine, Jul 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A 2012 EQUNIOX, THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPED AND BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE,I AM A GM MAN BY HEART, OWN ALL GM PRODUCTS, MY SILVERODO HAS 329000 MILES, AND STILL GOING, MY YUKON ,266000 STILL GOING, WHY DO I HAVE A 2012 EQUNIOX WITH 138000 MILES AND A CHAIN BREAKS AND DESTROYS MY ENGINE, I WAS TOLD THAT GM WAS SENDING RECALL WARRANTYS FOR THIS 2012 EQUNIOX FOR THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE ADVICE, (XXXXX) IS MY NAME, (XXXX) IS MY NUMBER, (XXXX) IS MY EMAIL ADDRESS. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2019
I HAD MY WIPERS ON DURING A DOWNPOUR RAIN. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 7:30 AM, MONDAY, JULY, 22, 2019, ON A HIGHWAY AT A SLIGHTLY REDUCED SPEED (50MPH IN A 65MPH ZONE) MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE EXTENDED POSITION DIRECTLY IN MY LINE OF SITE. THIS WAS A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD AS I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Engine, Jul 16, 2019
THE EQUINOX BURNS EXCESSIVE OIL AND MAKE LOUD NOISE IF THE OIL GET LOW. NO LOW OIL LIGHT INDICATOR DOES NOT WORK. AFTER MONITORING THE ENGINE CONSUMPTIONS FOR 2 MONTHS, I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF OIL EVERY 300/400 MILES WHICH IS EVERY TWO WEEKS.
Engine, Jul 12, 2019
OIL CONSUMPTION IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY 750 MILES, CAR MAKES TICKING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED AND LUNGES WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. SLUGGISH WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE.
Engine, Jul 12, 2019, fire
GM NOTIFIED US OF A KNOWN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. OUR VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY LOSING OIL. WE COMPLETED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS BEFORE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD REPLACE THE PISTON AND RINGS, WHICH WERE REPLACED IN JUNE 2018. JULY 1ST 2019, AFTER 10,000 MILES, THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE STREET. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS SERIOUS HARMED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 6 LANE STREET IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 8, 2019
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO WINDOW. CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. DEFROSTER WAS DEACTIVATED. WEATHER: SUNNY AND 90-95 DEG F.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2019
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME IN A DOWNPOUR WITH THE WIPERS ON HIGH, THEY STOPPED WORKING IN MID-CYCLE. SHE CAUTIOUSLY MADE IT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE LINKAGE ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION LINKAGE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5328759761. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.