2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (16) · Engine (13) · Steering (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Captiva Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
56 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Parking Brake 2012-06-28 · campaign 12V301000 · 2,070 vehicles
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS LLC (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 26, 2012, THROUGH MAY 17, 2012. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PARK BRAKE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "LIGHT VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARK BRAKE CABLE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED IN ITS CONNECTOR AND MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PARK BRAKE WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.
Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE PARK BRAKE CABLES ARE CONNECTED AND SECURE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid 2011-12-19 · campaign 11V591000 · 3,150 vehicles
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE AND IN FIRST GEAR CAUSES THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO OPERATE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN IS TYPICAL. INCREASED PUMP SPEED GENERATES HEAT THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAN RESULT IN POWER STEERING FLUID TEMPERATURES THAT APPROACH THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIRS MEL
Risk: AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED FLUID TEMPERATURES, THE RESERVOIR MAY LEAK. LEAKING FLUID, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION, FREE OF CHARGE. AN ADVISORY LETTER TO CUSTOMERS, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 2012. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER ASKING CUSTOMER TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. GM ANTICIPATES PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Service bulletins (648)
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 2026-04-01 · 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.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 648 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-14 · Unknown Or Other“i bought my car used a year ago. i had this same issue about 8 months ago for a short time but now it keeps happening everything i turn my ignition key off. my key won't come out it gets stuck on the acc, i think that's what it's called, its been about 7 or 8 weeks now but its getting worse. and when i was trying to turn my car off and get my key o…”
2026-03-30 · Unknown Or Other“my shifter doesn't recognize that its in park and won't let me remove my keys. it gets stuck on acc and i can't turn my key/ignition to the off position. and for the 3rd time it's like popped outta gear. i bought it used. this started 2 months ago but for the 10 days its continually gotten worse. 8 outta 10 times i go to put it in park and i can't…”
2024-05-31 · Engine“the car will stall and shut off, the radio quits working and the key will get stuck in the ignition.…”
2024-02-17 · Unknown Or Other“the component that has failed has been the transmission and the ac. my safety was at risk because the car wouldn’t drive forward whilst on the road. it has been confirmed by independent service. yes the problem has been inspected by representatives. there was a warning that was said “check transmission engine” …”
2023-11-02 · Service Brakes“on my 2012 cheverolet captiva lt .i had the emergency brakes on with the car in drive an i went to open my gates the car jumps out of the parking brakes if the engine idles go up just a little when the air conditioning comes on .or if you are in drive with the emergency brakes up and just revs the engine the brakes jumps out really easy. no safety …”
2023-09-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“unknown, car will shut off while driving and turn back on while flashing service traction control. in some cases it will completely turn off and i will have to put transmission in park and re crank it in the middle of traffic. power steering goes out while driving aswell as other issues. locks go in and out while driving. no known cause to this as …”
2023-06-10 · Power Train“while driving on an interstate, the voltage suddenly began to decrease. within a few minutes, the car died on the highway. we were able to get it to the shoulder. no electrical equipment worked, including the emergency lights. after taking it to a garage, the mechanic said the alternator was working fine, but the battery was drained. he was abl…”
2023-04-14 · Unknown Or Other“the battery cables are faulty and overheat causing the car to shut off and lock key in the ignition with complete loss of power this is happening to nearly every chevy captiva and is a wide spread issue this is also a serious fire hazard as the cables over heating is enough to boil water car shuts off and locks key in ignition without warning …”
2022-04-19 · Vehicle Speed Control“engine light came on lost compressions. engine wouldn't turn off. steering was loose like we were on water. traction control and stabilitrac were disabled and unable to turn bsvjninuihas to press breaks to the floor. if i was going any faster i could have lost control. the repair shop replaced the fuse box and bcm not even 3 miles engine light ca…”
2022-04-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am not sure what component could be one could be several. when i pulled into my driveway and put it in park. the engine light came on and the stereo went off. when checking the stereo would not turn back on and nothing on the instrument panel would work, heater/air conditioning, rear wipers, heated seats, hazard lights, the parking/emergency br…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.