UsedScore

2012 Chevrolet Equinox: Solid

Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 59 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (33% of complaints, median 51,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Equinox year
Rank
7th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
126
first five years; 59 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
3
campaigns
2nd generation, 2010–2017 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine33% · 41 complaints · median 51,000 miles
  2. Air bags6% · 8 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  3. Powertrain16% · 20 complaints · median 38,000 miles
  4. Electrical13% · 17 complaints · median 25,000 miles
  5. Steering12% · 15 complaints · median 6,000 miles
  6. Brakes8% · 10 complaints · median 51,000 miles
  7. Fuel and propulsion11% · 14 complaints · median 33,000 miles
  8. Body and structure10% · 12 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  9. Speed control10% · 12 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  10. Seats and belts4% · 5 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners describe air bags that didn't deploy during collisions, sometimes leading to injuries, along with unexplained service airbag warning lights and sensor problems. Some had trouble getting sensors diagnosed or repaired, occasionally at their own cost.

Warning signs:
Owners report the service airbag light coming on, passenger airbag showing off, warm steering wheels, or fumes noticed before failures were found.
What shops did:
Some owners had dealers diagnose a faulty airbag sensor needing replacement, often at owner expense after warranty had expired.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 100,000 miles, among 15 complaints that give it

“The airbags never deployed”

“Suddenly, "service airbag" light started to appear when someone sat in front passenger seat and the overhead display showed the passenger airbag as off”

Engine

Owners of this Equinox commonly describe the engine burning through oil faster than expected, sometimes without warning lights, leading to knocking noises, stalling, or timing chain and seal failures. Many say dealers performed oil-consumption tests or repairs, but some report repeated issues or costs after warranty coverage ended.

Warning signs:
Many report a knocking or rattling noise, rough idle, check engine or oil warning lights, jerking, or stalling before the failure occurred.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the timing chain, piston rings, gaskets, or seals, performed oil-consumption tests, or in some cases replaced the entire engine; several owners say repairs were denied once mileage or warranty limits passed.
Mileage:
most between 65,000 and 110,000 miles, among 249 complaints that give it

“My vehicle has an excessive oil consumption issue. It started around 60k miles”

Powertrain

Owners describe their Equinox burning oil quickly, which some say led to timing chain damage, stalling, or engine failure, sometimes without warning lights. Many say dealers replaced parts like timing chains or actuators, but some report repeat problems or repairs not covered once out of warranty.

Warning signs:
Many report rough idle, engine sputtering or knocking, hard or delayed gear shifts, sudden loss of power, or dashboard warnings like check engine or reduced power lights before failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced timing chains, actuators, solenoids, or fuel pumps, though some owners say the dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the problem, and some repairs were denied warranty coverage.
Mileage:
most between 50,000 and 110,000 miles, among 58 complaints that give it

“My 2012 equinox began burning excessive oil. I had to add oil between oil changes.”

“It started with a rough idle. Then when accelerating at low speeds the vehicle would stall out.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (3)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V502000July 20168,367 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition · Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V447000July 2014414,333 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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 11V511000October 201133,964 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.

    Fix: Gm dealers will update the body control module free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 1,844 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2012 Equinox. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
  • 25-NA-052 · March 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
  • 21-NA-043 · January 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
  • 22-NA-074 · January 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has…
  • 09-06-04-026Z · January 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
  • 04-06-01-029K · October 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
  • 24-NA-223 · October 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and…

All 2012 Equinox bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 59 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Equinox years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2012 Equinox problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (33%), the air bags (6%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (16%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent in July 2016 (electrical system). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox on NHTSA.gov · How we rate