YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 36 steering complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 5% of its 685 total complaints for the year. Owners report power steering malfunctions, growling or groaning noises, and steering that sticks, locks, or becomes hard to turn, with a median failure mileage of 36,000. No related recall is listed in this data.

Steering complaints
36
5% of 685
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
36,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering assist cuts out or becomes difficult to engage, especially while in reverse or at low speed.
  • A groaning or growling noise comes from the steering wheel when turning at low speeds or while stopped, sometimes with abnormal vibration.
  • The adjustable telescopic steering wheel fails to lock into position even after column replacement.
  • Steering becomes sticky, jerky, or hard to turn, in some cases nearly locking up while driving and almost causing a loss of control.
  • Steering sticking or slipping recurs at highway speed even after the steering rack is replaced under a technical bulletin repair.

When 2012 Chevrolet Equinox steering complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 16, 2011, latest Dec 4, 2025.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2011Jun 2014Jan 2016Feb 2017Jun 2018Jun 2020Aug 2022
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2011 to Dec 2025; peak Aug 2012 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200550 (8%)
  2. 200634 (5%)
  3. 200778 (11%)
  4. 200844 (12%)
  5. 20095 (5%)
  6. 201044 (6%)
  7. 201143 (5%)
  8. 201236 (5%)
  9. 201319 (3%)
  10. 201418 (3%)
  11. 201514 (2%)
  12. 20167 (2%)
  13. 20171 (0%)
  14. 201815 (4%)
  15. 20199 (3%)
  16. 202013 (4%)
  17. 20214 (4%)
  18. 20226 (3%)
  19. 20237 (7%)
  20. 20244 (5%)
  21. 202511 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 36 steering complaints for the 2012 Equinox, which is 5% of the 685 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data provided for this steering complaint category.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2012 Equinox?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2012 Equinox is 36,000 miles.
What kind of steering issues do 2012 Equinox owners report?
Owners describe power steering malfunctions, groaning or growling noises when turning, a telescopic wheel that won't lock, and steering that sticks or briefly locks up while driving.
How does the 2012 Equinox compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2012 model year had 36 steering complaints (5% share), lower than 2010's 44 complaints (6% share) and 2011's 43 complaints (5% share), but higher than most later model years.

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.