10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,325 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #53

Apr 232023

Equinox

  • miles
In 2023, I purchased my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox from a private seller. It was in excellent condition, inside and out with only 75,000 miles on it. She had purchased it brand new. The vehicle was serviced and maintained regularly. She gave me all the receipts and service records when I signed the title. Everything was fine until it hit 76,000 miles. Without any type of warning, the motor went in limp mode and wouldn't accelerate over 24 mph and the valves were rattling very loudly. I immediately pulled over and called triple A and got towed to an auto repair shop. The triple A dispatcher told me what the problem was as soon as I told him it was a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. There was NO OIL in it. Sure enough, the mechanic added 5 quarts of oil and it thankfully, I had pulled over immediately before it blew the engine. I'm a [XXX] so I really don't know how mechanicals and motors work but the gist of it, as explained to me by Chevrolet dealers and mechanics have, the 2012 Chevrolet equinoxes are notoriously famous for excessive oil consumption due to faulty Pistons. CHEVROLET SHOULD'VE INCLUDED THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL IN THE RECALLS! I will NEVER purchase another Chevy or GMC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fargo, GA, USA

problem #52

Feb 172025

Equinox

  • miles
My Vehicle had an open Recall N192268180 TAILPIPE EMISSIONS - OXYGEN SENSOR. I made an appt for the recall for 1/20/2025 at Capital Chevrolet in Wake Forest, NC. The appt was cancelled and rescheduled for 2/10/2025 due to them needing to order parts for the recall. On 2/10/2025 my vehicle was dropped off and i was told it should be finished by end of day 2/10 or early morning 2/11/2025. On 2/11/2025 I called the dealership to see when my vehicle would be ready and was told the recalled part caused damage to my Catalytic Converter and they would need to replace it but this would be covered under the recall. At that time I asked about a Loaner car from the dealership because they were estimating 3 additional days and I do not have another vehicle to use to get to work or transport my children. The dealership reached back out to me on 2/12/2025 to say I did not qualify for a loaner because it is outside my vehicles extended warranty but they would have the part in hopefully that day or the next. I followed up on 2/13/2025 and was told they did not have the part yet. On 2/14/2025 I contacted the dealership to see when they were estimating I would have my vehicle done and was told that I could pickup my vehicle that day even though the repair was not complete because it was drivable and they just were waiting on a harness. i was scheduled to bring my vehicle back the following Monday for the harness to be installed. On Monday, [XXX] when I went to start my vehicle to take it to the dealership it made unusual noises then cut off and will not turn back on. I have left voicemails for the dealership and the manager, and I have contact my insurance to have it towed to the dealership but at this point I have missed a week of work causing me to lose income and do not have the $168 needed to tow the vehicle to the dealership. I have attempted to get assistance from the dealership and the manufacturer with no solution offered other than to pay out of pocket to tow it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #51

Nov 082024

Equinox

  • miles
My drivers side wiper blade stopped working while the passenger side is still working. I saw a recall for this linkage on the site but it-??s not for my specific VIN. Additionally, my catalytic converter has damage due to excessive oil consumption. Halfway through my regular oil changes the oil is almost completely empty. Again, there-??s a recall on this for my specific make, model and year but not for my VIN. I feel these should be covered to be fixed by manufacture due to symptoms equivalent to recall.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #50

Sep 222024

Equinox

  • miles
In May 2024 there was an open recall regarding o2 sensor which was "fixed" by the dealer in July 2024. On September 22, 2024 the check engine light was triggered and diagnostics revealed o2 sensor failure. It could be a safety issue.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #49

Jun 172024

Equinox

  • miles
Bought in May 2024 and at that time had a open recall post catalytic converter o2 sensor which led to the discovery of a cracked exhaust manifold and according to service advisor would release toxic fumes in the cab of the vehicle.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #48

Aug 162024

Equinox

  • miles
I have owned this car for over 3 years. I have ALWAYS started the car, closed the doors, gotten the kids in the car, and then got in the car myself and went on with my day. On [XXX], I put my 6 month old baby in the car, closed the door, and when I tried to get into the car, all the doors were locked. NEVER in my time of owning this car have the locks EVER locked itself after just starting it and letting it "warm up". Needless to say, thank God my air was already on so my baby was at least "safe" until the police could arrive and get the car opened. But they unfortunately broke my driver side window trying to get in, and so this safety malfunction could have literally killed my child, but it also did cause me damages that I have to get repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Pitman, NJ, USA

problem #47

Nov 202021

Equinox

  • miles
I own a 2012 Chevy equinox 2.4 eco-tech all wheel drive I purchased it three years ago and a little over 90,000 miles on it asked the dealer if it was part of the class action oil consumption lawsuit. They said they knew nothing about it Shortly after I purchased vehicle I noticed I was having to add to 4 quarts of oil every two months I saw oil puddles under my car and not sure where it was coming from. I have driven less than 10,000 miles in three years and have had my serpentine belt snap off due to excessive oil leakage, I have added myself to the class action lawsuit but I-??ve heard nothing. I am still adding at least 3 quarts of oil a month and I don-??t even drive 400 miles a month. I believe this is putting my life in Jeopardy and passengers in my car. There is never been a check oil light come on yet. I have checked my oil and it has been almost completely bone dry..

- Walla Walla, WA, USA

problem #46

Jul 222024

Equinox

  • miles
My car just died, stopped, immediate dead car in full on rush hour traffic on the highway main road, me and my two grandchildren sitting in a car not able to move at all, not able to get restart. In review this is happening to 2012 and other years Chevrolet Equinox with no one knowing what the true actual engine problem is. it had to be pushed off the main hwy before we could have been injured or worse. When will the first death occur Chevrolet. This needs to be RECALLED, or BOUGHT BACK CARS BEFORE DEATH LAWSUITS BEGIN.

- Lavergne, TN, USA

problem #45

Nov 152023

Equinox

  • miles
A knocking nose fm the back passenger side it's heard every time I drive

- River Grove, IL, USA

problem #44

Oct 222022

Equinox

  • miles
Timing belt front cover is bad, the car is constantly leaking oil and fuming dark smoke. I had to stop driving immediately to avoid a fire. The oil was changed 3 weeks ago and today, there-??s no oil in the car.

- Homestead , FL, USA

problem #43

Nov 262021

Equinox

  • miles
The trailing arm bracket rotten through the frame. This is due to premature rusting/rotting of the frame. Apparently Chevy has had this problem, every I spoke to kept saying "check with Chevy for recall" The dealer tried to fix the problem by (modifying the trailer arm? not sure what that means) but approximately two weeks later it went through the frame again. Took it back to dealer but they were unable to fix this problem and sent me on my way. It was a very good thing that while driving this vehicle nothing major happened. I found a body shop that tackled this and fixed the frame. It was very expensive and I feel Chevy should be responsible. I have attached pictures that the R&M Auto Body gave us.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #42

Oct 122021

Equinox 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Equinox. Consumer writes in regards to a ticking sound coming from vehicle while driving.

- Saint Joseph, IL, USA

problem #41

Sep 082021

Equinox

  • miles
When the alternator stopped working everything on the car locked. The doors locked, the steering wheel locked, the key wouldn't come out of the ignition, the windows wouldn't come up or down. I couldn't even physically pull up the door locks. If the driver's door hadn't been slightly open(I was attempting to back out of my driveway on a dirt road where the visibility is poor) I would have been trapped inside with no way to get out without busting the window. I didn't have my phone with me and I was by myself in a very isolated location and no one would have missed me for over 48 hours since my husband works out of state. The temperature here was in excess of 95? even after 4 pm and the vehicle was under no shade. I'm a disabled person also so I truly am scared of the vehicle now. There was no warning about the alternator failing. The car never even showed a warning light. Even after replacing the alternator the battery will not stay charged and now the seatbelt and Airbag warning lights refuse to turn off. The way everything locked up and the fact that I couldn't even physically pull up the lock and the hatchback in the back wouldn't even come open when I pulled the handle is extremely dangerous and concerning

- Kosciusko, MS, USA

problem #40

May 172021

Equinox

  • miles
Car kept stalling when slowing down on the highway in traffic on beltway from Maryland to home in Virginia. Very dangerous situation. Car was also sluggish when accelerating. Had to drive with two feet one on brake and gas pedal when slowing down to avoid car shutting off completely on the road. Dropped car off at dealer this evening. I checked and did not see any recalls. Can-??t locate safety bulletins from Chevy as they are not published. Dealer said would look for any bulletins. Engine light is on. I read others with models from 2011 to 2015 having same issues for Chevy equinox.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #39

Dec 092020

Equinox

  • 28,600 miles
On Dec 9th I took my car to a certified Chevy dealer to have my catalytic converter recall done. As I was driving home, the car started to vibrate and it was driving ruff. I waited a while to see if it would get better and after a day or so it was back to normal. Then it started, it would vibrate while idle on a stop light, or even getting stuck on a stop light. First it was just ones while out, noe it happens quite a few times. I went back to the dealer for an oil change and talked about the problem. They analyzed the problem it seemed and did something to the car, what I do not know, but the attendant told me it seems like it is the air intake. It did not work. I have the feeling something happened while working on the converter?

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #38

Dec 312020

Equinox

  • 95,000 miles
The driver windshield wiper came off and motor broke by just turning them on. The driver wiper stopped working and the passenger one is the only one working.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #37

Dec 012020

Equinox

  • miles
The SUV sounds like its trying to start its self. We leave our keys in the rig. During the day we can hear this clicking sound. We go out to the rig and the headlights are on and music playing in the rig. The sound that it makes sounds like when a rig is already started and trys to start again. We are not sure what is causing this. Found no info online about other rigs having this problem.

- Salem, AR, USA

problem #36

Dec 212020

Equinox

  • miles
Vehicle had been stalling at least every other day for the past couple of months when stepping on the gas to go. It has turned off on several occasions when coming to a stop or red light at the point I step on the gas. Additionally, the vehicles engine sounds forced and trembles on it own on a daily basis, even when in park mode.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #35

Feb 162019

Equinox

  • miles
It has been burning oil since I have owned it. It also shakes real bad when applying the brakes. I have bought new rotors and pads and it still shakes no matter the speed I'm going.

- Troy, MO, USA

problem #34

Feb 222020

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
VIN# mismatch technician reports ECU/PCM can't be flashed and is actually missing the VIN number. Service engine light always on and cannot be cleared. Vehicle drives and operates fine. I have no more information or probable causes.

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »