Problems · by component

2012 Chevrolet Equinox structure problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox cite structure, 4% of all 685 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
26
4% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The trailing arm bracket rotten through the frame. This is due to premature rusting/rotting of the frame. Apparently Chevy has had this problem, every I spoke to kept saying "check with Chevy for recall" The dealer tried to fix the problem by (modifying the trailer arm? not sure what that means) but approximately two weeks later it went through the frame again. Took it back to dealer but they were unable to fix this problem and sent me on my way. It was a very good thing that while driving this vehicle nothing major happened. I found a body shop that tackled this and fixed the frame. It was very expensive and I feel Chevy should be responsible. I have attached pictures that the R&M Auto Body gave us.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2022Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11456850
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rocker panel of the vehicle had been rusting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side outer and inner rocker panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2021StructureODI 11420824
“I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN LEXINGTON KY 6K AND UNDER. I HAD TO CHANGE THE BREAKS AND I WAS UNABLE TO JACK THE CAR UP. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE AUTO SHOP THE FRAME AND ROCKER PANELS ARE RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS MADE IN CANADA AND I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME IS WEAK. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND IS THE RECALL STILL VALID?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2021StructureODI 11414088
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR AN INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME COULD RECEIVE A TEMPORARY REPAIR HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT FIX THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL AND ALSO THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,515.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2020StructureODI 11322808
“I HAVE RECENTLY WENT TO A GARAGE FOR A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AND TO SEE IF I COULD INSTALL A HITCH KIT. COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME ITSELF IS ROTTING INTERNALLY TO EXTERNALLY. THIS STIRRED UP SOME CONCERN BECAUSE I NEED AN INSPECTION COME JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE ROT. MY CHEVY EQUINOX IS ONLY A 2012. BEING THAT I'VE ONLY PERSONALLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR, AND IT IS ONLY 8 TO 9 YEARS OLD, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS KIND OF ROT THAT EXISTS IS BAD. I FOUND THIS OUT JUST THIS PAST WEEK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2020Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11322812
“HAD FUSES CHECKED BECAUSE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LIGHT DON'T WORK WINDOW DON'T GO DOWN MANUEL SHIFT DON'T WORK AND REAR LIFTGATE GOES UP THEN QUARTER WAYS DOWN THEN BACK UP THEN COMES DOWN ON YOU NOW IT GOES UP BY IT'S SELF ALSO IT WON'T LOCK.IT WILL GO UP WHEN IT'S STATIONARY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2019Exterior lighting, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11207609

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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