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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AGAIN AND THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO BAD WIRING AND A FRACTURED TERMINAL ON THE FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Power train, Jul 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THREE SEPARATE SUDDEN ACCELERATION FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WERE UPDATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE REPAIRS WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT FOR THE PAST 100 MILES, THE FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,800.......UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF
Tires, Jun 19, 2012
SIDEWALL DAMAGE TO TIRE. PURCHASED 03/12 AND THE VEHICLE HAS 1200 MILES ON IT. NO WRECKS OR ACCIDENTS IN CAR. *JS
Structure, May 30, 2012
FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES THE REAR HATCH WAS OPEN AND HAS UNEXPECTEDLY COME DOWN AND HIT PEOPLE IN THE BACK. NO BUTTONS HAVE BEEN PUSHED TO START THIS ACTION. ONE TIME THE HATCH RAISED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS STUDIED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED TWO PARTS WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT GET MORE INFORMATION FROM GM CENTRAL ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM. A PERSON WITH A GM TERRAIN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DURING THE TIME I HAVE HAD MY EQUINOX PROBLEM. I BELIEVE HE IS IN PHILADELPHA, BUT I HAVE FOUND HIM ONLY BY AN INTERNET NAME OF "PHILLYTHEKID" AND DON'T KNOW IF HIS SUV GOT FIXED. I BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A GM ENGINEER WHO DESIGNED THE HATCH SYSTEM, (WHICH IS TERRIBLY COMPLICATED), AND THIS PERSON COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONTROL BOXES INVOLVED, AND NUMEROUS INTERLOCKS. BUT NO ONE CAN REACH THIS PERSON THROUGH CHEVROLET DEALERS AND CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PEOPLE, AND THAT AMAZES ME. THE ONLY REASON I FIND FOR SUCH A FIREWALL IS THAT GM DOESN'T WANT TO SPEND TIME AND MONEY ON A PROBLEM THAT IS NUMBERED IN TENS, NOT THOUSANDS. THEY WOULD JUST AS SOON WE FEW PEOPLE GO AWAY AND BUY ANOTHER BRAND. I CAN FIND SEVEN INSTANCES OF UNEXPECTED HATCH ACTIONS ON THE NET THAT ARE FROM VARIOUS GM SUVS. THE GM DEALERS HAVE FOUND NOTHING IN THEIR GM SITES. I WANT MY CAR FIXED SO NO ONE WILL BE HURT. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GROANING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER IT WAS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. UPDATED 7/20/12 *CN UPDATED 07/30/12
Structure, Mar 20, 2012
2012 CHEVY EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BLIND SPOT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE PEDESTRIANS WHEN THEY WALKED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BLIND SPOT WAS CAUSED BY THE SIDE MIRROR AND THE DOOR FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *JB
Equipment, Mar 8, 2012
CHEVY HAS KNOWN FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS THAT ANDROID AND BLACKBERRY PHONES DO NOT WORK WITH MANY NEW CHEVYS. THEY HAVE A SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT THEY CAN NOT REPAIR. THIS MEANS THAT OWNERS ARE NOT ABLE TO SAFELY USE THEIR PHONES WHILE IN THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD A BLUETOOTH IN IT. I MAKE AND RECEIVE A LOT OF CALLS WHILE IN MY CAR AND I CAN NOT DO THIS SAFELY WITH THE EQUINOX. *TR
Power train, Jan 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,048.
Steering, Nov 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,177. UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ UPDATED 12/22/11
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACTS ERRONEOUSLY BRUSHED AGAINST THE ROLLER BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, STATING THAT THE COMPONENT WAS POSITIONED AWKWARDLY ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE HIS HANDS WERE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH THE BUTTON IN THAT MANNER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD LOCK IN AT ANY SPEED IF THE CRUISE CONTROL ROLLER SWITCH WAS BRUSHED AGAINST ACCIDENTLY WHILE DRIVING.BUT, OFTEN AT TIMES THE SPEED THAT LOCKED IN WAS HIGHER THAN THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELLING.