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2012 Chevrolet Captiva Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva, most often about the electrical (66% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Captiva model year since 2000.

Complaints65
Recalls0
Crashes reported0
Fires reported2
Injuries reported0

Most common 2012 Chevrolet Captiva problems

  1. Electrical

    43 complaints · 66%

    Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, starter assembly, ignition.

    At rush hour , the dash lights come on and the car stops dead. No power at all. We were able to get it off the road, but it was dark and with no electrical working, could not use the flashers. Was almost hit several times by uncaring drivers. Even yelled at. No power to the car at all.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 58,000 miles
    Vehicle driven in high traffic area when without warning slowly lost all power and stalled in the middle of the street. Initial attempt to start vehicle failed. After several more attempts the vehicle started only to gradually lose power and stalled again. Able to roll vehicle off main street onto side street and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 58,480 miles

  2. Engine

    16 complaints · 25%

    Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles.

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. While driving 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (martin Chevrolet, 8800 gratiot rd, sagninaw mi 48609) where it was diagnosed on december 3, 2016 that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 87,390 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. While starting the vehicle, the key failed to release from the ignition switch and the turn signal lights failed to make a clicking noise when activated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start occasionally and the service vehicle and brake warning indicators were…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 84,000 miles

  3. Other or unspecified

    8 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.

    Problems started with radio going off. Then lights dimming when using the window switch. Then while using the turning signal, the cruse would shut off. Then driving at night the lights started flickering then seemed to turn off. The car seemed to loose power. The break light would come on then go off. The seat belt…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 55,000 miles
    Parking light comes on and radio turns off except for the clock, then turns back on. Check engine light came one, went off when high beams turned on. Using the turning signal disables the cruise control. Today on the way to work, the battery light comes on after the check engine light goes off. Checking the volts on…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 56,000 miles

  4. Stability control

    8 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.

    My Captiva did not want to start. The key was locked in the ignition. All the lights were off and there was no lights on the instrument panel. I disconnected the negative battery cable for a minute and then plugged it back on to the battery. When I went to open the door the horn started honking and all the lights came…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 64,000 miles
    I have read several complaints about chevy captivas online today as I was searching for an answer for why my car died on me twice while driving home this evening. Once was on a hill turning onto the road before my home and the second time was pulling into my apartment complex. If I was on the highway or there was a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 60,000 miles

  5. Transmission

    5 complaints · 8%

    Car was driving fine went into a store came out keyless entry would not work, opened door with key and car would not start. Called for a jump but before the person came the car started out of the blue. I never attempted to start the car again but had inadvertently left the switch to the on position. I took the car…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 35,083 miles
    This car is having transmission problems. Driving steady between 30-45mph the transmission will jerk like the torque converter is having problems. During slow speed driving such as a traffic jam < 20mph the car will jerk into gears. During slow speeds of about 10mph if I step on the gas the car lags, nosedives a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 50,000 miles

  6. Fuel system

    4 complaints · 6%

    I have read several complaints about chevy captivas online today as I was searching for an answer for why my car died on me twice while driving home this evening. Once was on a hill turning onto the road before my home and the second time was pulling into my apartment complex. If I was on the highway or there was a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 60,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. After a few attempts, the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred a number of times in the past and the vehicle would…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 48,000 miles

  7. Speed control

    3 complaints · 5%

    Car was driving fine went into a store came out keyless entry would not work, opened door with key and car would not start. Called for a jump but before the person came the car started out of the blue. I never attempted to start the car again but had inadvertently left the switch to the on position. I took the car…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 35,083 miles
    Problems started with radio going off. Then lights dimming when using the window switch. Then while using the turning signal, the cruse would shut off. Then driving at night the lights started flickering then seemed to turn off. The car seemed to loose power. The break light would come on then go off. The seat belt…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 55,000 miles

  8. Air bags

    3 complaints · 5%

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag off warning indicator illuminated with an occupant present. The vehicle was driven; however, the failure persisted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 45,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. While the vehicle was stationary, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the air bag indicator displayed "service air bag". The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 81,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2012 Chevrolet Captiva recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (43 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (16 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); other or unspecified (8 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2012 a bad year for the Chevrolet Captiva?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Captiva model year since 2000, with 65 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Captiva years

Chevrolet Captiva problems by year