YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#3 most-complained of 5 Captiva years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva has 65 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 3rd worst of 5 model years and earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other Captiva years. Electrical System issues dominate, making up 66% of complaints.

Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 24 hwy

Top 2012 Chevy Captiva problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System43 (66%)
  2. Engine18 (28%)
  3. Brakes10 (15%)
  4. Other8 (12%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain5 (8%)
  6. Fuel System4 (6%)
  7. Airbags3 (5%)
  8. Steering3 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Instrument cluster lights up abnormally and the radio, heat, and vehicle start all fail at once, sometimes mid-drive.
  • Key gets stuck in the ignition and will not release, in one case for about two weeks before the car would not start at all.
  • Vehicle loses power gradually and stalls in traffic, sometimes requiring a jump start or battery disconnect to reset.
  • Radio cuts out when using the turn signal, headlights dim when windows open or close, and dashboard lights flicker.
  • Transmission jerks and lags at low speed, with a torque-converter-like shudder between 30 and 45 mph.
  • Front passenger airbag warning light stays on with an occupant present, later diagnosed as a faulty airbag sensor.
2012 Chevrolet Captiva complaints: complaints filed per month9Aug 2014Oct 2015Jul 2016Jun 2017Dec 2017Jun 2018Nov 2018
95 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2014 to Dec 2019; peak Oct 2017 (9).

2012 Chevrolet Captiva recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2012 Chevrolet Captiva fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Captiva years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011No verdict011—
2012Caution5065019
2013Avoid7597019
2014Avoid100138019

All Chevrolet Captiva years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva reliable?
Compared with other Captiva model years, the 2012 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 3rd worst of 5 years tracked, earning a "Caution" verdict. It is not the worst year, but electrical problems are common.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
Electrical System complaints make up 66% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 58,000 miles. Owners describe stalling, dead batteries, and keys stuck in the ignition.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2012 Captiva, though it has 65 owner complaints on file.
How does the 2012 Captiva compare to the 2013 and 2014 models?
The 2012 has a complaint index of 50, lower than the 2013 (75) and 2014 (100), both rated "Avoid." The 2015 model, with an index of 25, is rated "Good."

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.