2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems and recalls

52% of owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox related to the Engine (354 of 683).

683
Complaints
3
Recalls
16
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
13
Injuries
33.8
Severity index

Severity index 33.8 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 33.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 127 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 2% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 354 complaints (51.8%)354 52%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 121 complaints (17.7%)121 18%Power TrainPower Train: 84 complaints (12.3%)84 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 70 complaints (10.2%)70 10%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 54 complaints (7.9%)54 8%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 53 complaints (7.8%)53 8%SteeringSteering: 36 complaints (5.3%)36 5%StructureStructure: 26 complaints (3.8%)26 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE35451.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER12117.7%
POWER TRAIN8412.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7010.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM547.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER537.8%
STEERING365.3%
STRUCTURE263.8%

Complaints filed per year

0601202011: 22012: 172013: 162014: 312015: 382016: 392017: 862018: 1172019: 1122020: 832021: 542022: 302023: 192024: 212025: 142026: 4 (partial year)11121314151617181171920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20112
201217
201316
201431
201538
201639
201786
2018117
2019112
202083
202154
202230
202319
202421
202514
2026 (year to date)4
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (54 against 167).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral 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, 2013-20
14V44700023/07/2014SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTGeneral 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
11V51100019/10/2011TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSGENERAL 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 MONITO

Other Chevrolet Equinox model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-06. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.