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.
Engine, Nov 15, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION....ONE QUART EVERY 500 MILES AND LOW OIL LAMP DOES NOT COME ON EVEN IF THREE QUARTS LOW. POOR ENGINE DESIGN HAS BEEN NOTED BUT NO RECALL. I WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE ENGINES HAVE DIE AS A RESULT OF NO OIL? WHAT ARE WE TO DO? THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY OTHERS.
Structure, Nov 2, 2016
CONTACTED CHEVY/GM FOR MY DOORS RUSTING OUT ON THE BOTTOM SEAMS, THE LOCAL DEALER SAID GM WOULD NOT COVER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE RUSTING IS "NOT THROUGH" THE METAL, WHAT DO THEY WANT! A VEHICLE WITH HOLES IN THE DOORS!!! HOW "SAFE" IS THAT GM!??? THIS VETERAN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND A PUBLIC TAXPAYER BAILOUT AND THIS IS HOW THEY WANT THE VEHICLE THAT YOU OWN TO BE!??? SHAME ON GM AND CHEVROLET!!!!!!!!!
Wheels, Oct 29, 2016
TIRE INFLATOR MONITOR IS STILL ACTING UP WON'T KEEP ACCURATE READING OR HOLD INFORMATION FOR LONGER THAN A FEW HOURS, VEHICLE IS STATIONARY!!!
Steering, Oct 28, 2016
ON 3/31/15, CHEVY DEALER THAT SOLD US THE CAR REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR SUBJECT TO BULLETIN 14232, BECAUSE WE GOT A LETTER FROM GM ADVISING US TO GET IT DONE. ON 10/17/16, POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN ON CITY STREET, CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND NEAR MISS. THE POWER STEERING FROZE UP, AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. ON 10/18/16, THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AT THIS TIME TO THE SAME DEALER. ON 10/25/16, DEALER RETURNED CAR TO US UN-REPAIRED, SAYING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A NEW ONE. THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR $400. WE TOLD THE DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR THAT IS CURRENTLY FAILING, AND THAT THERE IS A TEN YEAR NON-WARRANTY WINDOW ON THIS TYPE OF SAFETY REPAIR. ON 10/26/16 WE CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN. THEY GOT BACK TO US ON 10/27/16 AND OFFERED TO FIX THE CAR FOR $400. THIS IS A DANGEROUS IF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO GM, AND THEY ARE OBLIGED TO FIX IT. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER CASE (NHTSA ID #10689932) OF STEERING FAILING AFTER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT PURSUANT TO BULLETIN 14232.
Structure, Oct 27, 2016
THE DOORS ON MY CHEVY EQUINOX ARE RUSTING/ BUBBLING OUT ALONG THE BOTTOM SEAM, IT IS NOT MOVING!!! *TR
Engine, Oct 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE OIL WAS CHANGED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Engine, Oct 9, 2016
MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIEND WERE DRIVING BACK TO SCHOOL FOR A FORGOTTEN ITEM. THEY STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR STALLED OUT. MY SON (18), TOLD CAR BEHIND TO GO AROUND (LUCKILY, THEY DID NOT GET REAR ENDED). HE PUT CAR IN PARK, TURNED CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED IT, AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION. FAST FORWARD APPROX A WEEK LATER, THE CAR IS HESITATING, AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MY SON TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE ATTENDANT SAID THAT WHEN CHECKING THE DIP STICK BEFORE STARTING, THE DIP STICK WAS BONE DRY! THAT'S WEIRD...WE HAVE HAD NO OIL LEAKS ON OUR DRIVEWAY, TO BE ALERTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. WHY WOULD THE CAR BE BURNING UP OIL THAT THERE WOULD BE NONE IN THE RESEVOIR? SO NOW, I GUESS WE WILL NEED TO MONITOR IT, BUT I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DOCUMENTED SIMILAR ISSUES. MY SON (18) USES THIS CAR A LOT. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS AN ABNORMAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GM HASN'T LOOKED INTO THIS ALREADY. I HOPE IT DOES NOT TAKE SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE IT IS LOOKED INTO. IT IS SCARY ENOUGH TO BE AT A RED LIGHT AND HAVE YOUR CAR STOP WORKING. PLEASE, SOMEONE TAKE NOTICE. CONSUMERS PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. DON'T TURN A BLIND EYE TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. WHAT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE, LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM AND FIXING IT OR LAWSUITS AFTER THE FACT. BE PROACTIVE....PLEASE.
Engine, Oct 5, 2016
THIS CAR USES EXCESSIVE OIL. I DRIVE SEVERAL MILES A DAY. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME A LIST OF ITEMS TO "FIX" WHICH COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I HAVE TO MONITOR MY OWN OIL BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN IT IS REAL LOW. IT DOES COME ON WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THE OIL TO BE CHANGED. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CHEVROLET VEHICLES BUT THIS ONE HAS CAUSED ME THE MOST PROBLEMS. I HAVE CALLED AND THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECALL OR LEGITIMATE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE CAR USES SO MUCH OIL. I DO NOT HAVE A LEAK ON THE GROUND.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Engine, Sep 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
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.
Wheels, Sep 13, 2016
CONTINUE ISSUES WITH THE TIRE SENSORS AND FALSE READINGS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO SHOP AT LEAST 2 X A MONTH FOR THIS AND STILL SAME ISSUE. I SEE THAT IN 2011 THIS AS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT JULY 2012. LIGHT COMES ON AT 30LBS AND EVERYTIME THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH ANY OF THE TIRES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESS
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.
Engine, Sep 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, Aug 31, 2016
AROUND 60,000 MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. I TRACKED IT FOR A WHILE, ONLY TO FIND ITS USING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 800-1000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE EQUINOX. THAT IT IS THE PISTONS AND RINGS IN THE ENGINE THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COST IS ABOUT $2000. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT GM RECALLED 2010-2011 AND SOME 2012, UNFORTUNATELY MINE ISN'T ONE OF THE "SOME." I'VE CALLED GM TWICE ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE SECOND TIME, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP ASKED ME WHAT I WAS EXPECTING FROM THEM BECAUSE IF THERE'S NO RECALL, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. IF THERE'S A RECALL FOR SOME, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL. AS I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS PREDICAMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL INTIALLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 1200 MILES. THE OIL THEN ESCALATED TO NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EVERY 400-500 MILES. *JS
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2016
THIS MAY BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V502000. ON JULY 11, 2016, I WAS IN MY SON'S DRIVEWAY, PLACED MY CAR IN PARK, AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS STILL, AND MY KEYS WERE STILL IN THE IGNITION. WHILE I WAS BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, WHICH KNOCKED ME TO MY FEET AND UNDER THE CAR. THE CAR ROLLED UP ONTO MY RIBCAGE AND MY VISION STARTED TO GO DARK. A NEARBY PERSON MANAGED TO ROLL THE CAR OFF OF ME. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE I LEARNED I HAD FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND A SMALL PUNCTURE IN MY LUNG. MY LEG IS BRUISED FROM MY THIGH TO MY TOES. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I DEVELOPED AN INFECTION IN A WOUND ON MY ANKLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FOLLOW UP VISITS TO DOCTOR TO CHECK FOR PNEUMONIA AND BLOOD CLOTS. A VISITING NURSE COMES TO MY HOUSE TWICE PER WEEK. I CANNOT DRIVE AND HAVE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I HAVE MAILED A LETTER TO THE CEO AND GENERAL COUNSEL OF GM, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.
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.
Power train, Engine, Jun 28, 2016
OUT OF NOWHERE, I GET AN ALERT STATING 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND 'SERVICE STABILITRAK' OFF. I CANNOT GO OVER 30 MPH AND THE ENGINE HAS TROUBLE HOLDING POWER. SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS MESSAGE, I WOULD FEEL A LIGHT ENGINE SPUTTER, BT THE ENGINE WOULD THEN KICK BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON CITY STREETS. APPARENTLY THIS IS INCREDIBLY COMMON ON A LOT OF CHEVROLET VEHICLES AS EVIDENCE ON THE EQUINOXFORUM BLOG.
Engine, Jun 23, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. WIFE GOING TO WORK AND HER VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. GOT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT HAD NO OIL IN IT. WAS TOLD THOSE ENGINES USE OIL AND GM IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. BEING THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THERE 100000 MILE WARRANTY I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE FIXED NOW QUESTIONS ASKED BUT SAID IT WAS COVERED IN WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE GIVING VEHICLE COULD BREAK DOWN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND RUN THE RISK OF SOMEONE GETTING HURT
Engine, Jun 22, 2016
MY EQUINOX HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS. TODAY IT HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARK SPOT, IT STALLED ONCE AT A RED LIGHT. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T GET ME IN TILL NEXT WEEK. SOMETIMES A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, IT ALSO USING A LOT OF OIL!!! GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE IT ISN'T NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE OUT THERE.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ISSUE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,700. UPDATED 07/14/16*LJ *CN
Structure, May 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
Steering, Apr 19, 2016
FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WHILE TOWING VEHICLE 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTORHOME. LOCK UP OCCURRED TWICE, ONCE WHILE TURNING ON CORNER ENTERING I40 AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING OVER BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR ON UNEVEN LANE SURFACE ON I40.
Structure, Mar 30, 2016
MY INSIDE DOORS ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE. WE WERE SMELLING A MUSTY SMELL AND JUST DISMISSED IT UNTIL WE LOOKED AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL DOORS THAT ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEALS ARE DEFECTIVE ON THE DOORS WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO SIT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 27, 2016, crash
I OWNED TWO CHEVY EQUINOXES. THE STABILITRAK WENT ON BOTH VEHICLES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE I DROVE TO WORK I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STABILITRAK WENT AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED.