2012 Chevrolet Captiva Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution 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.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #3 of 5 Captiva years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 65
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Chevy Captiva problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System43 (66%)
- Engine18 (28%)
- Brakes10 (15%)
- Other8 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (6%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
- Steering3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
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 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
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."