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, Mar 6, 2020
CONSUMMING ENGINE OIL CUNSUMS OIL WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS OIL IS NOT LEAKING OUT THE BOTTOM BUT OIL IS FOUND AROUND THE THROTEL BODY
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
MY CAR IN CONSUMING OIL IT'S BEEN CONSUMING OIL FOR A WHILE CAR CONSUMES OIL WHEN BEING DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS
Engine, Mar 5, 2020
BURNING OIL FAST. JUST CHANGED OIL AND HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES AND IS A QUART LOW. NOT THE FIRST TIME IT'S DONE THIS. CHECKED OIL SATURDAY WENT OUT OF TOWN ABOUT 3 HOURS ONE WAY GOT BACK HOME AND THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW. NO OIL SPOTS BENEATH THE CAR NOTICED AT THIS TIME.
Engine, Mar 4, 2020
RECALL NEEDS TO BE INITIATED AS PER CHEVY SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN 14882 IN WHICH THE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL AND PCV MANIFOLD AND ASSOCIATED PARTS ARE FAULTY RENDERING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, LEAK EXCESSIVE OIL AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 29, 2020
I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH FUMES COMING INTO THE CAB OF MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT VENTS WHEN SET TO DEFROSTER OR CIRCULATING AIR FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FUMES SMELL OF GAS OR EXHAUST AND ARE VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN SITTING STILL WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS IS NOTICEABLE MAINLY WHEN SITTING STILL IN VEHICLE WITH ENGINE RUNNING. THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING. I HAVE DEVELOPED BREATHING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA AND AM HAVING TO TAKE BREATHING TREATMENTS. I HAD THE FIRST ASTHMA ATTACK IN DECEMBER 2019. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. WHEEL INFORMATION IS ALSO INCORRECT. INFORMATION SYSTEM MAY INDICATE THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL PRESSURE IS LOW, WHEN IN FACT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
LEAVING HOME THIS MORNING FOR WORK AND WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD NOT COME ON! YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH IN A YEAR..
Engine, Feb 24, 2020
IN JANUARY OF 2019, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX. SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND DIED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT IT CONTINUED RUNNING ROUGH SO SHE PULLED INTO A NEAR BY PARKING LOT. THE CAR STALLED AGAIN BUT SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT. SHE CALLED ME AND WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR USUAL MECHANIC. HE CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SEAL HAD FAILED AND THE ENGINE LOST A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. HE ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT GM WAS AWARE OF AND THAT WE SHOULD TAKE TO VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIR. WE ULTIMATELY PAID $2022.00 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
Engine, Feb 23, 2020
ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2020 I DROVE ME AND MY FAMILY TO COLUMBUS OHIO FROM CANTON. ONCE IN COLUMBUS MY CAR STALLED AT A RED LIGHT. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. MY CAR WHEN IT WORKED WAS MAKING A METAL GRINDING NOISE. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO A GARAGE IN CANTON. WHERE A MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. I NEVER HAVE NOTICED LEAKING OIL BEFORE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR BURN OIL REALLY FAST. THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS ISSUE. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I AGAIN STALLED BEFORE PARKING MY CAR IN THEIR LOT. THE SERVICE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED MY PISTONS AND RINGS NEEDED REPLACED AND MY TIMING CHAIN WAS OUT OF SYNC. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT THAT CHEVY WANTS ME TO DRIVE 1000 MILES BEFORE GM CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEIR HIGH OIL BURN ISSUE IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I HAVE CALLED GM MULTIPLE TIMES VOICE MY ISSUE DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR WITH MY SON WHO'S ONE TODAY IN IT. WHY WOULD GM INSIST I DRIVE A CAR THAT THEIR OWN DEALERSHIP SAYS IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE? MULTIPLE PEOPLE AT SPITZER IN NORTH CANTON HAVE SAID IT TO ME. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING TO INVESTIGATE .
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2020
THE BLOCK PCV VALVE IS LEAKING AND HAS OVER POWERING BAD FUMES ARE COMING INSIDE OF MY CAR AND SMOKE DETECTION AND OIL SPOTS IN MY GARAGE.
Engine, Feb 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW AND NEEDED TO BE TOPPED OFF. THE OIL LEVEL WAS TOPPED OFF HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SPITZER CHEVY NORTH CANTON LOCATED AT 7111 SUNSET STRIP AVE NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PISTON RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 20, 2020
DRIVING AND LOST ALL THE OIL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HAS A RECALL THAT DOESNT INCLUDE MY VIN. THIS IS AN ISSUE AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS THIS IS HAPPENING TOO. GM REFUSES TO FIX IT. THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE ONLY REASON IT ISNT COVERED IS BECAUSE IT DIDNT COME FROM THE RIGHT PLANT.
Engine, Feb 20, 2020
ON THE EVENING OF JAN 27, 2020, WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM OUR SON AFTER THE CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE HE WAS DRIVING, JUST ABOUT A MILE FROM OUR HOUSE. HE HEARD A POP AND WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE BLEW UP. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, HE TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ELCO CHEVROLET ($120) THE NEXT MORNING. THEY CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT A PISTON BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THE CAR WOULD REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE WITH A ESTIMATED COST OF $8,000. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREVIOUS 'FIXES' AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP NOR GM WOULD COVER THIS. ON JULY 25, 2018 WE TOOK THE CAR TO BOMMARITO GMAC (LOCATED IN ELLISVILLE, MO). BOMMARITO TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD WATCH THE OIL AND BRING IT BACK EVERY 1,000 MILES FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION CHECK IF IT CONTINUED TO BURN OIL QUICKLY. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK 3 TIMES MORE BEFORE THEY AGREED TO CHANGE THE PISTONS. BOMMARITO REPLACED THE PISTONS AT GMS COST, ON 10/28/18. THE CAR HAD 58,017 MILES AT THIS TIME. WE WENT BACK FOR 3 MORE OIL CHANGES IN THE NEXT YEAR. ON NOV 29, 2019 WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO FIRESTONE BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND REFERRED US TO ELCO CHEVROLET (LOCATED IN BALLWIN, MO) TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ELCO CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON 12/9/19 ($808.51 AND 70,883 MILES). WE CONTACTED 7 MECHANICS (3 OF THEM ARE OTHER CHEVY/GM DEALERSHIPS) IN ADDITION TO THE 2 CHEVY/GM DEALERS THAT 'FIXED' THE PISTONS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WE FOUND OUT THIS WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH EQUINOX AND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS REASON. ALL 7 SAID THAT THE PISTONS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES DEFINITELY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE BLOWING.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 17, 2020
MY VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CHOKING. WHEN WE GOT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP IT STALLED OUT AND WHEN THE SHOP DID SHOVE INVESTIGATION THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO WARNING ABOUT OIL BEING LOW OR LIGHTS ON. AS WE WERE BRINGING VEHICLE TO SHOP IT SMELLED OF BURNING. VEHICLE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING WHEN STATIONARY AND BECAME WORSE WHEN IN MOTION.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2020
ON JANUARY 10, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY. 97 TO BEND, OR, IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN THE WIPERS SUDDEN STOPPED. THEY WERE IN THE FULL WIPE POSITION, AND THEY WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. I TURNED THEM ON AND OFF, AND MOVED THEM BACK TO THE REST POSITION, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE RAIN WAS TOO INTENSE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THEM, SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THIS WAS A RATHER DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS HAD I STILL BEEN TRAVELING IN HEAVY SNOW THROUGH THE MT. HOOD PASSES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER IN BEND THE FOLLOWING MORNING, AND THEY REPAIRED IT, STATING THAT THE MOTOR HAD FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR, THOUGH IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH WIPERS IN THESE VEHICLES, SOMETHING I ONLY LEARNED ABOUT AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE. IT SEEMS LIKE CHEVROLET MAY BE PUTTING THE OWNERS OF ITS VEHICLES AT RISK. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING.
Power train, Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2020
FRONT TRANSMISSION ALL WHEEL DRIVE HAS NOISE SIMILAR TO BAD BEARING. AT AROUND 40 TO SIXTY MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERKS . HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. 2 YEARS AGO
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2020
I USE MY WIPERS ON LOW WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I HAD TO TURN ON HIGH WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE FIRST SWIPE THEY STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR CAN BE HEARD BUT THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE
Engine, Feb 9, 2020
ENGINE LIGHT CAME DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION REPLACE INTAKE & EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVES
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2020, fire
ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2020 1:09PM MY 2012 EQUINOX VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE 10 MINUTES AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, AND LOCKED WITH THE KEY BEFORE ENTERING THE RESIDENCE. SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY WITH FLAMES. MY CONCERNS: 1) I HAD MY PASTOR WITH ME AND THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING; 2) MY NEXT DESTINATION WAS PARKING IN MY GARAGE AND I WOULD HAVE HAD A HOUSE FIRE. GOD WAS WATCHING OVER US.
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2020
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRAILER LIGHTING MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MODULITE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.*JS
Engine, Jan 26, 2020
USING OIL. NOT LEAKING FROM CAR. CONTINUOUSLY PUTTING IN OIL EVERY 500 MILES
Engine, Jan 24, 2020
BURNING LOTS OF OIL AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP ME
Engine, Jan 23, 2020
AT APPROXIMATELY, 92000 MILES ON MY EQUINOX, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE PCV VALVE CLOGGED/FROZE AND EXERTED TO MUCH PRESSURE TO MY ENGINE CAUSING THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BLOW AND SPILL ALL OF THE ENGINE'S OIL ALL OVER THE GROUND. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP AND STALL. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID ANY ACCIDENT. THIS EXACT ISSUE IS DETAILED UNDER GM'S SERVICE BULLETIN 14882 WHICH LISTS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MY VIN# IS NOT COVERED FOR SOME REASON. THIS RECALL HAS TO BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VIN #'S. I CURRENTLY HAVE MY CAR SITTING AT A CHEVY REPAIR SHOP AWAITING SERVICE TOTALING OVER $1800 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE RECALL. GM HAS NOT HANDLED THIS RECALL PROPERLY.
Engine, Jan 21, 2020
THE PCV VALVE BUILD UP CONDENSATION WHILE RUNNING, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FROZE. UPON STARTING THE VESICLE AGAIN, IT BUILT PRESSURE TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT THEN BLEW OUT MY REAR MAIN SEAL. IT IS EXACTLY THE SCENARIO DESCRIBED IN GM'S SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #14882 OR DOCUMENT ID 4098165. SOMEHOW MY VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS KNOWN DEFECT! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE WARNING I HAD WAS A POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASH, THEN LATER A OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASH (ALL WENT OUT). THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON SURFACE STREETS. THIS BECAME WORSE WHEN BREAKING.
Engine, Jan 21, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. IT HAS BURNED OIL SINCE I OWNED IT. I HAVE 83,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED ON ME. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $6700. I HAVE HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 2,000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVY AGAIN.
Power train, Engine, Jan 17, 2020
DONE A OIL CHANGE AND ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER NO OIL. HAD TO CHANGE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND NOW THROWING THE CODE 420. RUNS SLUGGISH AND EXHAUST IS NOW BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS.