2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems
NHTSA has received 947 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, and 38% of them involve engine. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (14%) and drivetrain & axles (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 947 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 38% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 16 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 674 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 63 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 60 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 78 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 136 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 108 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 111 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 62 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 33 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 16 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 674 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 89,000 miles (252 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 16 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 85% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 22 model years of the Chevrolet Equinox with enough data (360 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
I was traveling south as another car was traveling north. The car traveling north made a rapid left turn directly in my traveling path. We collided and my car was totaled. I hit the steering wheel pretty hard because the airbag did not deploy. How should I proceed?
I was stopped behind another vehicle making a turn. I was then rear ended by another vehicle at approx. 30MPH. This cause me to be pushed into the vehicle in front of me. There is extensive damage front and rear of my vehicle. The airbags never deployed. Right after the accident, onstar call me to as if I need medical attention, because there system alerted them of a an accident. Now both my front seatbelts are locked in place and the service airbag light is on.
This vehicle frequently loses charge on battery battery and alternator are new. Vehicle has less than 70k miles also throws up computer codes radio turns on and off when it wants to. I purchased it used with 40k miles and has been a problem since. I have quotes for over 2k in repairs and was told at time of purchase all recalls were cared for. Was purchased certified preowned from a dealership. Every time I fix something there's another problem.
1.excessive oil consumption from day 1 - was told it was normal, 2.fluttering sound in the engine when cranked. 3.idling rough for a looooonnnng time. 4. Replaced both intake & exhaust cam sensors 5. Removed and replaced fan drive belt. 6.car started shifting roughly. 7. Started idling so low that I had to keep my foot on the gas so it wouldn't shake violently and cut off. Mostly when I was stopped but started shaking and cutting off when I just slow down. Same thing when I back up.