2012 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 372 engine complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 54% of all 685 complaints filed for the year. Owners report oil consumption, PCV valve clogging, and engine fires, with a median failure mileage of 87,263 miles. No related recall is listed in NHTSA data.
- Engine complaints
- 372
- 54% of 685
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 87,264 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the PCV valve clogging, which builds crankcase pressure and can blow a crankshaft seal, sometimes followed by fire.
- Multiple complaints describe high oil consumption that required repeated oil consumption tests before GM replaced pistons and rings.
- Some owners report the engine stalling repeatedly at low speeds, including while backing out of a garage, with rough idling and jerking beforehand.
- Several complaints describe smoke or flames coming from underneath the vehicle while driving, in some cases forcing the driver to pull over.
- One owner reported timing chain problems along with hard starting and oil residue at the tailpipe.
When 2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 15, 2011, latest Sep 18, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Equinox model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
- NHTSA lists 372 engine complaints for the 2012 Equinox, which is 54% of the 685 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine?
- No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data provided for this engine issue.
- At what mileage do 2012 Equinox engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 87,263.5 miles.
- Did the 2012 Equinox engine issues cause fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 3 fires and 3 crashes associated with engine complaints for the 2012 Equinox, with no reported injuries.