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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 685 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, most often about the engine (53% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is 6th of 23 Equinox model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Engine
361 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump and fuel control module, and cleared the failure code; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was…
Massive oil consumption especially in cold weather I have used a quart in 356 miles oil light never comes on even with it being 2 1/2 quarts low running out of oil can cause the engine to seize loosing all power and possibly causing an accident
Visibility and wipers
127 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, rear window wiper/washer.
In a heavy rainstorm, driving on the highway, I turned my windshield wiper speed to max. The wiper's stopped working. I lost complete visibility. I could hear the motor for the wipers moving but nothing worked. In an incredible panic, I tried to turn them on/off, to no avail. This incredibly dangerous situation was…
On the highway in high speed lane in a pouring rain when the wilndshield wipers stopped working. I felt this was life threatening as I could not see. By thee grace of god I was able to make it to the breakdown lane without getting killed. I noticed there was a recall for this problem in canada but not in the US. I…
Transmission
84 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, driveline.
Driving my car home, started losing power. Pulled over and had it towed to my mechanic. Found out my timing chain went and ruined my engine. I have 75000 miles on it and have maintained the oil changes in it regularly.
I have only had my car for 3 years and there is only 70,000 miles on the vehicle. I get regular maintenance done as needed from the dealership. When I took my car to a different mechanic to do a transmission flush, I was told that my transmission had a bad leak and that it was leaking all inside the axle etc. The…
Electrical
70 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
Purchased this vehicle 2 years ago. It has under 50k miles and seemed to be in good condition. Currently it is at 65k miles and has experienced these issues: -stalling at intersections or stop signs a total of 6 times. Taken in multiple times for this issue. - wheel grinding and bucking when stoping of turning right.…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving in rainy weather, the windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The following day, the vehicle was driven to wilsonville Chevrolet (26051 south west boones ferry road, wilsonville, or 97070, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the…
Fuel system
54 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
I purchased a 2012 chevy Equinox in december 2016 every 4 months I have had to return to the dealer for problems with the engine. They have completed oil consumption test ..replace things and assured me the problem was gone. I told the dealer representative how I smelled gas and fumes and she stated there were no…
When my vehicle is in motion I am not getting the amount of power I should be receiving once I press on the gas. I believe the timing is off and I have a code: p0013 issue, actuator circuit, cam shaft position. I have seen a recall to the 2011 model for the same reasons and I'm sure my vehicle is having the same…
Other or unspecified
53 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
Frozen pvc system forcing rear main seals to blow out. The car started fine but soon started trying to cut off...battery light came on. Car soon cut off. This car only has 84,596 miles on it.
Takara recall, timing chain is loose causing a lot of noises and shaking in my car. Recently the car had started shutting off when barely moving or sitting still (while parked, while at a stop sign) and the engine wants to keep going.
Steering
36 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
After 36k miles, the car steering would stick and slip. Pa dealer could not replicate as this would happen at higher speed 65mph. But, under extended warranty, the dealer replaced the steering rack due to a technical bulletin report about steering sticking/slipping. The problem went away and came back after 36k more…
Front wheels locked while towing vehicle 4 wheels down behind motorhome. Lock up occurred twice, once while turning on corner entering i40 and once while driving over bridge under repair on uneven lane surface on i40.
Body and structure
26 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
All four doors the paint is bubbling and the drivers door there is rust all the way along it. Took it to the dealer, the service rep and the head of the body shop both looked at it and said they would not cover it under warranty. Car sits in the garage when not in use. I am the only driver, and it gets in town driving.
Contacted chevy/gm for my doors rusting out on the bottom seams, the local dealer said gm would not cover the warranty because the rusting is "not through" the metal, what do they want! A vehicle with holes in the doors!!! How "safe" is that gm!??? This veteran does not understand a public taxpayer bailout and this is…
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 Equinox recalls
Electrical: 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. 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.
Full defect 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. 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.
Full defect 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.
Wheels and 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. The resulting crash could cause serious injury. Underinflated tires can also result in premature or irregular wear, poor handling, and poor fuel economy.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Momentary increased steering effort
Summary
On june 1, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (my) 2010 through 2012 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain suvs.if the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 min
Front wiper transmission inoperative
Summary
On december 13, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded rq18-002 to an engineering analysis (ea19-005) to further assess the my2010-2016 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16v-582, addressing this issue in the my2013 subject vehicles, my2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, odi had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to wa
Windshield wiper transmission failure
Summary
On november 2, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a recall query (rq18-002) to assess the scope of recall 16v-582.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on
Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (361 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); visibility and wipers (127 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); transmission (84 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 5, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
- It is 6th of 23 Equinox model years by number of complaints, with 685 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.