2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 943 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 487. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: when stopped at a stop sign or red light sometimes the engine tries to cut out, and the car jerks like it is trying to stay cranked. i have a friend that has a gm terrain and hers does the same thing. when turning there is a knocking in the steering. the speakers have a rattling sound like they a. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.
943
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
362 complaints- • WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT, AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STAY CRANKED. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A GM TERRAIN AND HERS DOES THE SAME THING. WHEN TURNING THERE IS A KNOCKING IN THE STEERING. THE SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLING SOUND LIKE THEY A
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO
- • THE 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX STALL CONSTANTLY BELOW 30 MPH. IT STALLS AT LEAST 2 TO 3 TIMES TRYING TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE TO MOVE IT 10 FEET. THE IDLE STARTS OFF SMOOTH BUT WITHIN 10 SECONDS THE EQUINOX STARTS IDLING ROUGH AND JERKING, THEN IT STALLS. WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT THE EQUINOX JERKS BACK AND F
“WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT, AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STAY CRANKED. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A GM TERRAIN AND HERS DOES THE SAME THING. WHEN TURNING THERE IS A KNOCKING IN THE STEERING. THE SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLING SOUND LIKE THEY A”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX
Based on 673 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 79K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
STEERING
SPEED CONTROL
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
TIRES
AIR BAGS
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 (3)
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 Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX
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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX
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 EQUINOX 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 EQUINOX, 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.
EV Incentives for 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 943 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT SOMETIMES THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT, AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STAY CRANKED. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A GM TERRAIN AND HERS DOES THE SAME THING. WHEN TURNING THERE IS A KNOCKING IN THE STEERING. THE SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLING SOUND LIKE THEY A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: FILLED UP MY GAS TANK AND WHEN TANK WAS FILLED AND PAID FOR PUT IN D AND A HUGE BANG WAS HEARD, LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR TO FIND THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THREE GENTLEMEN CAME RIGHT TO THE CAR AND ASKED WHAT HAPPENED CAUSE THE HEARD THE BANG. ONE OF THE MEN CLEANED THE GLASS OUT OF MY WINDOW SO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME BLURRY WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED ON IT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet EQUINOX — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 943
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 8
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 8
- Segment avg
- 487
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Chevrolet EQUINOX