2012 Chevrolet Captiva problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (20) · Engine (9) · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Captiva model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
53 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (1,025)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,025 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 150,000 mi“going down road at 70mph and vehicle slows down to 40mph on its own and i almost was rear ended by the car behind me. this happened on a major highway.…”
2019-06-20 · Unknown Or Other · 85,000 mi“the vehicle is lightweight to the point where high winds push the car to the side while it is in motion. you can feel the wind moving it and feel the car move a lot when other vehicles are driving at high speeds next to it.…”
2019-06-18 · Electrical System:ignition · 47,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet captiva. the contact stated that she was unable to eject the key from the ignition. the contact had to restart the vehicle and manuever the steering wheel in order for the key to be removed. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. the approximate …”
2019-06-04 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal · 84,000 mi“tl* 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 illuminated. the local dealer was n…”
2019-04-10 · Service Brakes · 94,258 mi“the e-brake comes on by its self while driving down road. checked againest vin and stated not on recall list but others have been recalled for same thing.…”
2019-04-09 · Engine · 92,000 mi“check engine light continues to come on. had it tested and i needed to replace the camshaft and the crankshaft sensors. did that drove it for a week or two and the light came back on tested it again and got the same reading concerning bank 1 camshaft and crankshaft sensor. was told it could be the timing chain causing this problem and that this …”
2019-04-02 · Engine · 65,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet captiva. while driving 20 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and three quarts of oil were added. the contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil and it needed to be changed before eve…”
2019-01-24 · Unknown Or Other“one day my heat and air module just quit working and the dash board reads -40 for the outside temp. so now there is no heat no defrost or air.…”
2019-01-18 · Engine · 94,570 mi“on 1/2/19, i left work and traveled approximately 2 miles when i began hearing engine noise. upon pulling into convenience store, i checked dipstick and found no oil showing. since oil was changed about 400 prior and no leaks were found, i proceeded to add oil to engine. found oil leaking out as fast as putting in. after being towed back to whe…”
2018-11-27 · Engine“tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet captiva. the contact stated that the vehicle kept shutting off while driving and when cold started from a parked position. the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics to be diagnosed, but no failure could be found. when the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, all of the instrument panel indicat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.