Worse than most Equinox years
Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Equinox year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2017 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Equinox years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 685 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (361, 53% of complaints), followed by the lights, wipers and visibility and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 2nd of 13 Equinox years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox before you buy.
Engine and cooling
361 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While the contact's daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine shut off. The contact's daughter attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 156,000 miles
The vehicles oil needs to be checked every day to make sure the levels are not low. The vehicle has no visible oil leaks on the ground or inside, but the oil levels will drop. With that I have to constantly have oil on hand to make sure I refill it or the engine would be dry. It’s becoming a hassle because I have to constantly monitor…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
133 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 91,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
While operating my vehicle today, it began to rain and I went to turn on my wipers, and they would not turn on. I had to pull over several times due to poor visibility ecause of the rain. I had to wait for traffic to slow down or pass me by to avoid an accident. This has never happened to me and I was scared out of my mind.Owner complaint, filed 2024
A light sprinkle happen and I turned on wipers and they immediately stopped. Fuse looks fine. I'm a Single father and can't afford to fix and this shouldn't have happen.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
84 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the front-end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered that the front axle bracket had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 62,000 miles
2012 equinox has been using more oil than it should. Took it in for a recall this week, catalytic converters, replaced the exhaust manifold. Engine would lose power when I slowed down or tried to accelerate. Took it back in, service department said I my timing chains are stretched, the chains, guides and actuators need to be replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 89,400 miles
Electrical system
70 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear tailgate. Borrowed vehicle from a friend for a trip. When opening the tailgate with the external switch it opens all the way and immediately comes back down about 12 inches or so then it immediately goes back up and immediately comes all the way down. My wife was almost trapped between the bottom of the tailgate and the floor of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while performing a daily oil check, the contact became aware that the oil level was low while checking the dipstick. The contact added oil and contacted the dealer and was advised that oil should be added. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 24,500 miles
Fuel system
54 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Recently got an oil change, and in a month I’ve had to “top-off” my oil. Constantly have to make sure I carry a few quarts of oil to make sure my oil is filled. One day, I forgot to check the oil and my car was stalling on a busy road. Had to pull over to make sure I put the oil in there. Everyone that I’ve asked said they have the same…Owner complaint, filed 2025
So I know of atleast 4 Chevrolet equinox's all haveing the exact same issue doesn't matter milage all in the same area which have a issue saying engine power system low then it starts to studder and often stalls out or then over revs and trys to take off like it's been slingshotted which is unsafe even after repairing many issues it is…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
38 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Service stabilitrak system warning message appears with associated ABS and traction control lights. Occurring randomly when hitting bumps in the road while highway and city driving, the lights will illuminate with dinging alert. Duration of the message varies from a couple of seconds to minutes before all lights extinguish. Various…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles
Service stabilitrak system warning message appears with associated ABS and traction control lights. Occurring randomly, though seemingly associated with weight in the rear cargo area of the vehicle and when hitting larger bumps in the road while highway and city driving, the lights will illuminate with dinging alert. Duration of the…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Steering
36 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
When in-motion at my power steering fails, the wheel seems to grab and my control of the vehicle is momentarily not in my control. It happens on straight aways and most often in slow speed turns. My concerns are the incidents that might happens in busy traffic and on wet & iced roadways. This has been happening in the last 1000plus miles…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 180,105 miles
Went to drive the car this morning and notice the car said to 'service power steering'. After researching there is an open investigation into the 2010 - 2015 chevrolet equinox power steering as there have been other issues reported of people having the same problem.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 150,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
27 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (22).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rocker panel of the vehicle had been rusting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side outer and inner rocker panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2021
I purchased the vehicle from a dealership in lexington ky 6k and under. I had to change the breaks and I was unable to jack the car up. After taking it to the auto shop the frame and rocker panels are rusted out. The vehicle was made in canada and I seen there was a recall on the vehicle. It is dangerous to drive because the frame is…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 93,000 miles
Air bags
19 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
We would like to know what kind of Airbag is mounted in the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox ? pertaining to the Detroit News Article ,September 5 2026 Page 3B = 11th Death tied to Chinese Air Bag made by Jillin Province Detiannuo Automotive System Co Ltd, known as DTN . 3 People were killed in a Hyundai ,10 faital General Motors Crashes. General…Owner complaint, filed 2026
About six months ago, my steering wheel would get hot in the middle of it, but I kind of didn’t know what that was but then now my airbag sensor came on and then went off. I’m not really sure but I feel like something’s not right with it. Gonna go get it fixed, but I don’t feel like it should be something that was not recalled because…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
18 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My vehicle has been jerking and it feels like it is being held back. I can hear/feel it shifting. It down shifts causing the car to noticeably jerk the entire car. My car just stalled, died three times yesterday. I have children and this is not ok. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5…Owner complaint, filed 2015
I went to slow down my vehicle to exit off of freeway. Upon touching the brake, the care [VIN] and stcu until I hit the brake. I phoned gm via onstar as this scared me. I thought it was a fluke however I still wanted it documented. This past week, july 28th 2014, I once again was traveling and went to slow down to take off cruise control…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 52,000 miles
Wheels and tires
15 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the vehicle was handling poorly, after which the tire pressure system service light illuminated. Upon parking the vehicle, the contact smelled a burning odor around the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 78,000 miles
Tire inflator monitor is still acting up won't keep accurate reading or hold information for longer than a few hours, vehicle is stationary!!!Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 69,758 miles
Suspension
12 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear suspension trailing arm and subframe assembly rusted completely through, causing the suspension to separate from the frame. The corroded and broken components are still attached to the vehicle and are available for inspection…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While hauling the vehicle with a road master all terrain tow bar, the vehicle wobbled out of control. The vehicle wobbled at any speed. The contact had the road master all terrain tow bar inspected at an unknown authorized road master location and the vehicle's front end was also aligned at an…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 54,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The seatbelt tensioner I believe is what is called is broke. I am not sure how it happened but when it was noticed I took it to dealership in the town we were in and he looked up the part for me and explained there was 10 yr kansas seat belt warranty on it. Well come to find out my warranty expired Feb. And no dealership or even GM will…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the power operated driver's seat moved back and forth independently. The contact stated that the power operated driver's seat pressed the driver against the steering wheel and moved backwards, which made it difficult for the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 111,200 miles
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have noticed my car does not signal to me when I'm getting to close to something in my backup camera. In other words I backed into someone's garbage bin while reversing. I was going very slow. This is a problem for me as I don't feel the camera is very accurate. I was watching the camera and listening for a beep with no music or air…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while she was at the stop light, the vehicle temporarily stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact also stated that the ignition switch of the vehicle would not turn all the way to the locking…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Chevrolet Equinox complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Equinox | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 5 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | About average | 3 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | One of the better years | 15 |
2012 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
Electrical system Ignition
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Seats Power adjust
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
- Risk
- Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
- Fix
- Gm dealers will update the body control module free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox are the engine and cooling (361 complaints), the lights, wipers and visibility (133 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (84 complaints).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox a good year to buy?
Worse than most Equinox years. Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Equinox year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2017 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Equinox years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recent, from Jul 2016, covers the ignition. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 89,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 91,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Equinox years should I avoid?
The Equinox years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2017 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
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