Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Owners filed 685 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (355).

Complaints
685
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine355
  2. Visibility/wiper121
  3. Power train84
  4. Electrical system70
  5. Fuel/propulsion system54
  6. Steering36
  7. Structure26
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)26
  9. Air bags19
  10. Vehicle speed control18
  11. Service brakes12
  12. Suspension12
  13. Wheels11
  14. Engine and engine cooling8

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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20112
201217
201316
201431
201538
201639
201786
2018117
2019112
202083
202154
202230
202319
202421
202514
20266

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

355 reports3 crashes3 fires
“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 that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that the oil was topped off every two days. The failure occurred while minor children were inside the vehicle. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure and timing chain failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026EngineODI 11765306

Visibility/wiper

121 reports
“My drivers side wiper blade stopped working while the passenger side is still working. I saw a recall for this linkage on the site but it’s not for my specific VIN. Additionally, my catalytic converter has damage due to excessive oil consumption. Halfway through my regular oil changes the oil is almost completely empty. Again, there’s a recall on this for my specific make, model and year but not for my VIN. I feel these should be covered to be fixed by manufacture due to symptoms equivalent to recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2024Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11624644

Power train

84 reports1 crash1 fire
“2012 Chevrolet equinox burns/leaks oil which cause the serpentine belt to pop off & I had to replace it. Having problems with the MAT & IAT codes, just replaced the fuel pump, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, & spark plugs... Car still will not crank. They're saying there's no recall but why are all the Chevrolet equinox malfunctioning with the same problems with no help from the manufacturer?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11618744

Electrical system

70 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“Rear tailgate. Borrowed vehicle from a friend for a trip. When opening the tailgate with the external switch it opens all the way and immediately comes back down about 12 inches or so then it immediately goes back up and immediately comes all the way down. My wife was almost trapped between the bottom of the tailgate and the floor of the storage compartment. When I tried it, I tried to hold it up when it started down for the second time and it was impossible for me to stop the tailgate from closing. It substantially overpowered me. There is a PROBABILITY that it could have broken her back or strangled her. Even more so if she was packing the car by herself. I exerted all my strength trying to stop the tailgate as I indicated before. I have not contacted anyone about this situation. The vehicle has a little over 84K miles and is in excellent condition. When I called my friend about the problem she said she was aware of it and is living with it because it would cost over $1,000.00 to fix it. I know she bought it used from Ferman Chevrolet in Tampa a few years ago. I was hoping to get it fixed for her before returning the car to her.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2025Electrical systemODI 11692749

Fuel/propulsion system

54 reports1 fire
“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 stopped asking people after the 10th person. My uncle is a mechanic and he said the same thing about the oil. He said he wasn’t sure where is goes but it just disappears.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11699902

Steering

36 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2025Steering, SuspensionODI 11703120
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.