NHTSA lists 685 complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 16 of them mention a crash and 6 mention a fire. 11 complaints mention an injury, with 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHEVROLET EQUINOX.
At a glance
Complaints
685
With crash
16
With fire
6
With injury (complaints)
11
Injuries
13
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
414,333
Investigations
3
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,846
Complaints per 100k sold: 289.675. Units sold: 236,472; sales year: 2012; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.
Where the complaints are
Top systems
System
Complaints
Share of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE
355
51.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER
121
17.7%
POWER TRAIN
84
12.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
70
10.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
54
7.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
53
7.7%
STEERING
36
5.3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
26
3.8%
STRUCTURE
26
3.8%
AIR BAGS
19
2.8%
Top subsystems
System
Subsystem
Complaints
STRUCTURE
BODY
23
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXHAUST SYSTEM
4
TIRES
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION
2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2
BACK OVER PREVENTION
CAMERA SYSTEM
1
BACK OVER PREVENTION
REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
1
BACK OVER PREVENTION
WARNINGS
1
One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Date: 2016-07-05. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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 T (excerpt)
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491. (excerpt)
Defect: 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 s (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14 (excerpt)
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
PE20009
Opened: 2020-06-01. Closed: 2022-06-03.
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the d
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA19005
Opened: 2019-12-13. Closed: 2022-11-28.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball jo
Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
1,846 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system
System
Count
EQUIPMENT
759
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
352
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
228
ENGINE
164
POWER TRAIN
120
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
115
VISIBILITY
80
STRUCTURE
72
11037253
Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11032947
Date: 2026-05-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an origi
11030974
Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
11030091
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11030092
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
11027601
Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11025755
Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If
11023091
Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
11022084
Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11021792
Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/o
Notes on this record
Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.