2012 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th-worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 54% of its 685 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 87,264 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 685
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2012 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine372 (54%)
- Visibility & Wipers127 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain84 (12%)
- Electrical System74 (11%)
- Other58 (8%)
- Fuel System54 (8%)
- Brakes38 (6%)
- Steering36 (5%)
- Structure & Body31 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked or driving at low speed, with owners describing smoke and flames coming from underneath the car.
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and intersection collisions, even in impacts hard enough to total the vehicle.
- One owner reported the front suspension dropping suddenly at low speed, followed by unresponsive brakes and steering before a crash.
- Fuel system failures included stalling with the check engine light on, later diagnosed as a failed fuel pump.
- Brakes reportedly went hard and unresponsive during a stop, resulting in a collision.
- Seats broke loose from floor brackets during a rear-end collision.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
- NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
- NHTSA 11V511000Oct 19, 2011Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,964 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles, manufactured from july 18, 2011, through september 6, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 138, "tire pressure monitoring system" (tpms). The tire pressure monitoring system is designed to illuminate the tire pressure warning light when the pressure in a tire is 25% below the recommended cold tire pressure. On these vehicles, the light will not illuminate until the tire pressure is more than 25% below the recommended cold tire pressure.
Risk: Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash. The resulting crash could cause serious injury. Underinflated tires can also result in premature or irregular wear, poor handling, and poor fuel economy.
Remedy: Gm dealers will update the body control module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 9, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 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 Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- Compared to other Equinox model years, the 2012 ranks 6th-worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems account for 54% of its 685 NHTSA complaints.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 54% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 87,264 miles. Visibility/wiper issues and transmission problems follow at 19% and 12% of complaints.
- Does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Equinox, covering structure/body height adjuster bolts, a body control module update, and an electrical system issue shared with other GM models. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Equinox compare to 2010 and 2011 model years?
- The 2010 and 2011 Equinox both rank worse, with complaint indexes of 90 and 95 and Avoid verdicts, versus 75 for 2012. Later years like 2016 and 2017 score much lower, at 40 and 25.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
- EPA rates the 2012 Equinox at 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.