Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Chevrolet Captiva problems
Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2015 Chevrolet Captiva with NHTSA between Oct 2016 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (5).
Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system5
- Engine4
- Power train2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Air bags2
- Steering2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Structure1
- Other / unknown3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
5 reports
“The Chevy Captiva I have has been in multiple shops and NOBODY knows why it randomly has electrical problems and all the locks go on and off while driving and the RPM speeds up and slows down all by itself. The engine and transmission has been replaced among other things in the vehicle. This is a hazard to myself and anybody on the road. It has been to multiple mechanics in my city and not one person can figure out why the car does this. The engine misfires while driving and I’ve almost been in multiple wrecks because the car genuinely has a mind of its own! How many more times does this need to happen before a serious accident. This vehicle needs to be recalled before a serious accident happens at only the fault of a vehicle that should have been recalled years ago!”
Engine
4 reports
“My car was functioning normally. But on or about Jan 7, I was simply moving the car to another parking area in my driveway. The car stopped and would not restart. It was towed to a local dealer. I was told the problem was a drive chain, resulting in a repair that could cost thousands. Now the car rests in my yard with a future as a flower pot. There had been no warning of trouble, no smell, no sound etc. It the car had been at speed on a highway this could have been catastrophic to me and other motorists. I spent thousands to buy this car and now it is gone. My insurance refused a claim, citing the engine failure. What options do I have? I am 77 years old.”
Power train
2 reports
“CAPTIVA WILL STUTTER AND STALL UP CURVED HILLS AT 2000RPM IN DANGEROUS UNEXPECTED PLACES. WILL NOT THROW A CODE!!! IN ECO MODE AND AUTOMATIC DURING THE INCIDENTS. TOOK OUT OF ECO MODE AND RAISED TO 3000RPM TO PULL UP THE HILL. GAUGES FLAT LINED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE INCIDENTS.”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports
Air bags
2 reports1 crash
“The service airbag light came on.”
Steering
2 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD, THE CAR BEGAN SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE ,UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND RAN INTO THE DITCH WITH TOTAL DAMAGE TO CAR AND INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.