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, 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
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 13, 2020
WHEN I LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE IGNITION IS OFF AND IN PARK. MY CAR SOMETIMES MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT IS TRYING TO START THE ENGINE/CAR OR CAR WITH THE CAR BEING OFF AND NO ONE SWITCHING THE KEY OVER. MAKING THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE ELECTRICAL FALIURE BUT HE WOULDNT BE SURE WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT...HOWEVER MY REMOTE START DOESNT WORK ANYMORE AND NIETHER DOES MY BLUETOOTH CAPABILITY.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2020
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2020
VIN# MISMATCH TECHNICIAN REPORTS ECU/PCM CAN'T BE FLASHED AND IS ACTUALLY MISSING THE VIN NUMBER. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON AND CANNOT BE CLEARED. VEHICLE DRIVES AND OPERATES FINE. I HAVE NO MORE INFORMATION OR PROBABLE CAUSES.
Steering, Jun 29, 2020
DRIVING NORMALLY ABOUT 35 MPH ON SUBURBAN ROAD WHEN DASHBOARD SUDDENLY INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING." THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTANCE AND WAS STRENUOUS, EVEN DANGEROUSLY RESISTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEEDING TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ARRIVED HOME AND CHECK THE POWER STEERING FUSE, WHICH WAS OKAY. NEXT DAY STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL POWER-ASSIST AND DASHBOARD INDICATOR MESSAGE WAS GONE. *TR
Engine, Jun 24, 2020
WHEN DRIVING STOPPED IN DRIVE AND PLACED INTO REVERSE THE TRUCK IDLES THEN SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY LEAVING ME TO PLACE THE TRUCK IN PARK AND START IT UP ALL OVER AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE REVERSING STOPS ONLY WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR PARKING. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH THAT INDICATE WHAT THE ISSUE COULD ACTUALLY BE. WHICH MEANS SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND LOTS OF MONEY SPENT TO SEE WHAT COULD FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Jun 23, 2020
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019, AND I'VE REALIZED THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN BURNING OIL LIKE CRAZY. I'VE HAD TO ADD ALMOST A QUART PER WEEK ON TOP OF VERY FREQUENT OIL CHANGES. MY CAR MAKES THIS TICKING NOISE WHEN IT STARTS AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, YET THE COMPANY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT'S UNDER 125K MILES. MINE IS AT 150K. I DON'T DRIVE ROUGH OR IN CRAZY CLIMATES. *TR
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?
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2020
CAR SHAKES PRETTY ROUGH WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT TAKES ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS FOR THE MOTOR TO COMPLETELY STOP AFTER THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR 2 AND WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN IN TO BE SERVICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND NO CODE CAN BE GENERATED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 18, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, HE SUFFERED A MEDICAL CONDITION AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO A THREE FEET HIGH CEMENT BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HAD THEIR SEAT BELTS LATCHED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2020
I OWN A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX (PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2011) THAT HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED GMC DEALERSHIP (CARL BLACK GMC ROSWELL, GA) WITH THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS AS GMC SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 12313D ' SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT ' ENGINE BALANCE CHAIN AND FUEL PUMP. WHILE MY 2012 MODEL IS NOT LISTED AS COVERED, I AM REQUESTING SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS SCA GIVEN THE EXACT MATCH IN VEHICLE SYMPTOMS AND VERY CLOSE CHRONOLOGICAL PROXIMITY TO THE COVERED VEHICLES. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO COPIES OF THE BULLETINS, 1 FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND 1 FROM GM. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Jun 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2020
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT(STATIONARY). *TR
Engine, Jun 2, 2020
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WHEN IT SHUT DOWN. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT THE ENGINE. AFTER CONTACTING THEM THEY SAID I MISSED THE DEADLINE WHEN WE NEVER RECEIVED THE CLAIM FORM IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. IT FELT LIKE I WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN THE ENGINE TOO FREQUENTLY. *TR
Engine, May 28, 2020
I PURCHASED A 2012 EQUINOX ON 6/22/2019. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS I NOTICED MY OIL CONSUMPTION WAS A POSSIBLE ISSUE. AFTER HAVING IT DIAGNOSED AT OUR GM DEALER I NEED TO HAVE THE OIL ISSUE REPAIRED. I REPLACED PISTONS,RINGS,TIMING CHAIN,WATER PUMP, AND SPENT $3532.13. I MISSED A RECALL BY JUST A FEW WEEKS. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AS THIS IS NOW MY 3RD BUT POSSIBLY MY LAST EQUINOX. I WANT GM TO HONOR THIS . II PURCHASED THIS SUV ON 6/22/2019.*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2020
I HAVE RECENTLY WENT TO A GARAGE FOR A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AND TO SEE IF I COULD INSTALL A HITCH KIT. COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME ITSELF IS ROTTING INTERNALLY TO EXTERNALLY. THIS STIRRED UP SOME CONCERN BECAUSE I NEED AN INSPECTION COME JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE ROT. MY CHEVY EQUINOX IS ONLY A 2012. BEING THAT I'VE ONLY PERSONALLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR, AND IT IS ONLY 8 TO 9 YEARS OLD, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS KIND OF ROT THAT EXISTS IS BAD. I FOUND THIS OUT JUST THIS PAST WEEK.
Structure, Apr 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR AN INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME COULD RECEIVE A TEMPORARY REPAIR HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT FIX THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL AND ALSO THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,515.
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.
Engine, Apr 23, 2020
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WHILE I AM DRIVING
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 21, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THE INTERSECTION I TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. MADE IT HOME AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR MY CAR RATTLES AND MORE SO WHEN IN REVERSE
Electrical system, Wheels, Engine, Mar 30, 2020
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, THE RADIO GOES OFF AND READS 'LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TELEMATICS CONTROL MODULE'. DURING THIS TIME, THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING IN MOTION, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME BACK ON, BUT THE GAUGES ARE AT 0. THE RADIO TURNS OFF COMPLETELY, THE HEATING/AIR SHUTS OFF, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND MY HEADLIGHTS START TO FLICKER GOING ON AND OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. AFTER MINUTES, EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON, BUT LIKELY GOES OUT AGAIN. I'VE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN EVERY TRIP TO AND FROM. ALSO, I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CLOG MY MOTOR IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY, AND FIRST HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT METAL PIECES ARE RUBBING. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DOES NOT PROPERLY READ THE ACTUAL TIRE PRESSURE. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 29, 2020
WIPERS STOPPED WHEN IT WAS RAINING BAD
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND THE CAR IS USING A LOT OF OIL
Engine, Mar 23, 2020
HAVING TO ADD OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD IT CHECKED. PER CODE LOW OIL AND CAN ONLY BE RESET AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND A FEW DAYS LATER THE DEALER CALLED STATING I NEED TO GET NEW PISTON RINGS BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE OR I WILL LOSE OIL. THE DEALER STATED THE GM WILL GO 50/50 WITH ME ON THE FIX SINCE THE RECALL EXPIRED. I DID NOT GET A RECALL NOTICE OR HAVE THE 50% OF THE COST TO FIX THE VEHICLE, I AM THE 2ND OWNER.
Engine, Mar 11, 2020
RECEIVED A SETTLEMENT PAPER FOR EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. A REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM WAS MADE TO PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS REPAIR MADE TO CAR. WE COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY UP FRONT FIRST. SPOKE TO SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR AND HE SAID GM SHOULD DO A RECALL.