2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (247) · Visibility/Wiper (120) · Power Train (65)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Equinox model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
499 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: 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 lever
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.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2011-10-19 · campaign 11V511000 · 33,964 vehicles
Defect: 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 LIG
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.
Service bulletins (1,847)
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 1,847 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-20 · Air Bags“ we would like to know what kind of airbag is mounted in the 2012 chevrolet equinox ? pertaining to the detroit news article ,september 5 2026 page 3b = 11th death tied to chinese air bag made by jillin province detiannuo automotive system co ltd, known as dtn . 3 people were killed in a hyundai ,10 faital general motors crashes. gen…”
2026-09-18 · Engine · 156,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. while the contact's daughter was driving 70 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine shut off. the contact's daughter attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with several unknown warning lights illuminated. the contact stated t…”
2026-09-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint.…”
2026-05-03 · Visibility/Wiper“wipers do not work seems to not recognize when idling and starts to shake if stopped at a red light. randomly will go through 2 quarts of oil in one day…”
2026-03-14 · Service Brakes“the abs braking and stability control light came on and has stayed on and took to mechanic shop and was told to repair would be $4000 .that's more than what the car is worth!changed motor oil many times since i owned the car and it uses oil quite much.ihe oil gauge can say i have 70 percent oil and the dipstick reads no oil so i must put 2 -3 quart…”
2026-01-30 · Engine“the vehicles oil needs to be checked every day to make sure the levels are not low. the vehicle has no visible oil leaks on the ground or inside, but the oil levels will drop. with that i have to constantly have oil on hand to make sure i refill it or the engine would be dry. it’s becoming a hassle because i have to constantly monitor and make sure…”
2025-12-04 · Suspension“abs stabilizer light on dash shows abs malfunction.took it to certified mechanic to check the problem and was told the system had to be replaced at the cost of $4000.…”
2025-11-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“recently got an oil change, and in a month i’ve had to “top-off” my oil. constantly have to make sure i carry a few quarts of oil to make sure my oil is filled. one day, i forgot to check the oil and my car was stalling on a busy road. had to pull over to make sure i put the oil in there. everyone that i’ve asked said they have the same issue. i st…”
2025-11-07 · Suspension“1. what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the rear suspension trailing arm and subframe assembly rusted completely through, causing the suspension to separate from the frame. the corroded and broken components are still attached to the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request.…”
2025-10-17 · Engine“i had the excessive oil consumption recall repair done when it was recalled originally, however the problem has returned and from my research it appears that the piston rings were not the proper size to stop the oil from blowing back out the exhaust. is there anything i can do about that as far as having those repairs covered again? …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.