2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA has 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 143. The most common issue is electrical problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: car was driving fine went into a store came out keyless entry would not work, opened door with key and car would not start. called for a jump but before the person came the car started out of the blue. i never attempted to start the car again but had inadvertently left the switch to the on position. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
100
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
43 complaints- • CAR WAS DRIVING FINE WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT WORK, OPENED DOOR WITH KEY AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR A JUMP BUT BEFORE THE PERSON CAME THE CAR STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. I NEVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN BUT HAD INADVERTENTLY LEFT THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION
- • MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 CHEVY CAPTIVA IS THE KEY WAS GETTING JAMMED IN IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IMMEDIATELY. THIS WENT ON FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS OR MORE. I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES ON 2/17/15. ON 2/18/15, LATER IN THE NIGHT, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM IG
- • VEHICLE DRIVEN IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA WHEN WITHOUT WARNING SLOWLY LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. INITIAL ATTEMPT TO START VEHICLE FAILED. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED ONLY TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER AND STALLED AGAIN. ABLE TO ROLL VEHICLE OFF MAIN STREET ONTO S
“CAR WAS DRIVING FINE WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT WORK, OPENED DOOR WITH KEY AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR A JUMP BUT BEFORE THE PERSON CAME THE CAR STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. I NEVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN BUT HAD INADVERTENTLY LEFT THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA
Based on 83 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
OTHER
ENGINE
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet CAPTIVA Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2012 CAPTIVA, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 100 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: CAR WAS DRIVING FINE WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT WORK, OPENED DOOR WITH KEY AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR A JUMP BUT BEFORE THE PERSON CAME THE CAR STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. I NEVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN BUT HAD INADVERTENTLY LEFT THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I GOT INTO MY CAR AND CLOSED THE DOOR. I DON'T RECALL IF I HAD PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION YET, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD "BOOM" SOUND LIKE THAT OF A EXPLOSION. I TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT MY REAR WINDOW THERE WAS ABOUT A 1 FOOT WHOLE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE WINDOW IS SHATTERED WAITING TO CAVE IN. I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: MY CAPTIVA DID NOT WANT TO START. THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR A MINUTE AND THEN PLUGGED IT BACK ON TO THE BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED HONKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet CAPTIVA — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 100
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 143
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Chevrolet CAPTIVA