What year Chevrolet Captiva should I avoid?

Avoid the 2013 and 2014 Captiva. They have Complaint Indexes of 75 and 100, the two highest of the five model years covered, with 97 and 138 total complaints respectively.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva reliable?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Captiva has the worst record in the lineup, with a Complaint Index of 100, 138 complaints, 8 crashes, and 15 injuries.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Captiva?

The 2015 Captiva has the lowest Complaint Index at 25 and only 14 complaints, making it the strongest year based on NHTSA data.

What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Captiva?

Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 44% of the 315 total complaints, followed by Engine issues at 33%, Brakes at 11%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 11%.

Does the Chevrolet Captiva have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across all Captiva model years, tied to the 2011 model, which also shows a Transmission & Powertrain complaint at 12,000 miles.

Chevrolet Captiva Best and Worst Years (2011–2015)

Avoid the 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Captiva, which carry Complaint Indexes of 75 and 100, the two highest in the lineup. The 2014 model also shows 8 crashes and 15 injuries reported. The 2015 Captiva, with an index of 25, is the strongest year.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2013 Avoid 2014

Model years: 5; 2011–2015
NHTSA complaints: 315
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 8
Top problem area: Electrical System

Captiva Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Captiva problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	No verdict	0	1	0	0	1	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2012	Caution	50	65	0	2	0	Electrical System	19	—
2013	Avoid	75	97	1	4	0	Engine	19	—
2014	Avoid	100	138	8	2	0	Electrical System	19	3★
2015	Good	25	14	1	0	0	Electrical System	23	3★

Captiva years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Chevrolet Captiva Index 100 · 138 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2014 Captiva has the highest Complaint Index in the lineup at 100, with 138 complaints. Electrical System issues make up 44% of complaints at a median mileage of 62,200, and Engine issues make up 23% at a median mileage of 80,000. NHTSA data shows 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 15 injuries for this year, the highest injury count of any Captiva model year. Sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and seatbelts not locking properly.

2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →

2013 Chevrolet Captiva Index 75 · 97 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2013 Captiva has a Complaint Index of 75 and 97 total complaints, with engine problems making up 51% of them at a median mileage of 90,000. Electrical System complaints account for 32%, with a median mileage of 76,000, and owners describe engine stalling, smoke, and oil leaking near the tailpipe. Some electrical complaints involve fires, including one where the interior was destroyed while parked. NHTSA also lists 4 fires and 1 crash with 2 injuries for this model year.

2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →

Most common Chevy Captiva problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System140 (44%)
Engine103 (33%)
Other58 (18%)
Brakes36 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain34 (11%)
Steering19 (6%)
Structure & Body15 (5%)
Airbags14 (4%)
Fuel System12 (4%)
Visibility & Wipers8 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Chevrolet Captiva should I avoid?: Avoid the 2013 and 2014 Captiva. They have Complaint Indexes of 75 and 100, the two highest of the five model years covered, with 97 and 138 total complaints respectively.
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva reliable?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Captiva has the worst record in the lineup, with a Complaint Index of 100, 138 complaints, 8 crashes, and 15 injuries.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Captiva?: The 2015 Captiva has the lowest Complaint Index at 25 and only 14 complaints, making it the strongest year based on NHTSA data.
What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Captiva?: Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 44% of the 315 total complaints, followed by Engine issues at 33%, Brakes at 11%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 11%.
Does the Chevrolet Captiva have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across all Captiva model years, tied to the 2011 model, which also shows a Transmission & Powertrain complaint at 12,000 miles.