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Chevrolet

2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT has 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 10.3x the segment average of 13. The most common issue is electrical problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: i bought the suv in dec. 2013. since this time the car has failed to start twice. each time i had the battery boost and the car started. i have taken the truck into munday cheverlot. chevy auto mechanics and others have said my battery is good and they do not know why this is happening. when the . There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 4 crash reports 9 injuries

134

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

10.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

46 complaints
34%
  • • I BOUGHT THE SUV IN DEC. 2013. SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. EACH TIME I HAD THE BATTERY BOOST AND THE CAR STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO MUNDAY CHEVERLOT. CHEVY AUTO MECHANICS AND OTHERS HAVE SAID MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN THE
  • • I HAD THE EXACT SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS PERSON. TWICE NOW, WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH, THE RADIO WOULD GO DEAD AND ALL KINDS OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD COME ON. CAR MADE IT TO THE HOUSE. COULD NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER ABOUT
  • • MY 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT 2LS IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. THE KEY IS NOT REMOVABLE FROM IGNITION TO TURN VEHICAL OFF, IT STOPS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. SAFTY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BECOME DISABLED NOT ALLOWING RESTART OF ENGINE OR INABILITY FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED CAU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I BOUGHT THE SUV IN DEC. 2013. SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. EACH TIME I HAD THE BATTERY BOOST AND THE CAR STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO MUNDAY CHEVERLOT. CHEVY AUTO MECHANICS AND OTHERS HAVE SAID MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT

Based on 90 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 80K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
8
30-60K
22
60-100K
36
100-150K
22
150-200K
2
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 45K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 66K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 32 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
10
60-100K
13
100-150K
7
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 92K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
7
100-150K
6
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 95K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
5
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID19/12/2011

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE AND IN FIRST GEAR CAUSES THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO OPERATE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN IS TYPICAL. INCREASED PUMP SPEED GENERATES HEAT THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAN RESULT IN POWER STEERING FLUID TEMPERATURES THAT APPROACH THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR’S MELTING POINT.

Risk: AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED FLUID TEMPERATURES, THE RESERVOIR MAY LEAK. LEAKING FLUID, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION, FREE OF CHARGE. AN ADVISORY LETTER TO CUSTOMERS, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 2012. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER ASKING CUSTOMER TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. GM ANTICIPATES PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
45K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
23K mi
Engine air filter
45K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2012 CAPTIVA SPORT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 134 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT THE SUV IN DEC. 2013. SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. EACH TIME I HAD THE BATTERY BOOST AND THE CAR STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO MUNDAY CHEVERLOT. CHEVY AUTO MECHANICS AND OTHERS HAVE SAID MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TRANSITIONING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM WOULD CAUSE RADIO AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS/DISPLAY TO GO OUT COMPLETELY. FIX PARKING BREAK AND ONBOARD EMISSIONS CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT WOULD GO ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL WEEKS, SOMETIMES FLICKERING AND OTHER TIMES STAYING ON FOR A FEW HO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITY TRACK INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITY TRACK INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2014
9Excellent Reliability
2013
13Average
2012
134Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
134
Recalls
2
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
4
Injury reports
9
Segment avg
13

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA SPORT

Compare With

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