Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
683 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 356, 10× a quiet Equinox year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 67k and 112k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Equinox owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 89,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 356 (52%) | 67k–112k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 127 (19%) | 70k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 54 (8%) | 42k–90k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 83 (12%) | 50k–112k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 70 (10%) | 34k–106k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 36 (5%) | 12k–102k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 26 (4%) | 26k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 26 (4%) | 51k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 19 (3%) | 33k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 18 (3%) | 37k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (2%) | 21k–89k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Suspension | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 89,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 683 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The car started glitching and all of the warning lights were going on and off while I was driving. The wipers and turn signals were flashing as well.
I was driving on the freeway on a very cold morning. All of a sudden I heard a pop sound and my car would not work.
The engine has been serviced multiple times with no long-term fixes.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 89,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox: 3
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 527
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
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…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2011 Equinox: 782 complaints, consider selling · 2013 Equinox: 749 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Equinox years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
683 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 356, 10× a quiet Equinox year. At 89,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 67k and 112k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (356), visibility and wipers (127), fuel system (54), transmission and drivetrain (83), electrical system (70). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 67k–112k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Tires (NHTSA 11V-511). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.