2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Complaints

View complaints related to 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 660 complaints submitted for the 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Northville, MI

    Multiple ongoing issues with the vehicle (oil consumption - approximately 2 quarts consumed per oil life cycle with the updated oil life index monitor, clogged catalytic converter - likely due to the oil consumption) with the most recent being a windshield wiper linkage failure and the Special Coverage that expired 10 months ago based on time, but vehicle is still within the mileage limit of the Special Coverage. The Special Coverage, N192266180 Wiper Transmission Arm Linkage Failure, is good for 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. The subject vehicle coverage expired on 4/26/22 and it is now March 2023; the vehicle has 122,689 miles on it versus the 150,000 mile limit. The issue was discovered when my daughter attempted to use them to wipe some wet snow from the window but the wipers did not move...she thought the wipers were frozen. When I checked the wipers, you could hear the wiper motor attempting to actuate the wipers but there was not movement of the wiper blades. The wipers can be moved by hand with both wipers moving in unison when one wiper arm is pulled/pushed back and forth, so it appears this is the condition in the special coverage. Contacted a Chevrolet dealer as well as Chevrolet Customer Assistance and neither would offer any coverage since the Special Coverage expired by time (even though the vehicle is well within the mileage limit). Fortunately, the failed wiper system did not cause an accident, but this could easily be considered a safety issue that should have full coverage by Chevrolet, regardless of mileage and time, under a product safety recall.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Troutdale, OR

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the oil level was constantly low, and she was adding 5 quarts of oil in the vehicle every 4-6 weeks. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact’s son lifted the hood and noticed that there was oil residue on all the components under the hood. Additionally, there was a significant amount of smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The contact added oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Chicago, IL

    Oil consumption excessive burning oil TIMING Chain has been replaced unfortunately problem still occurs..Car was calculated by mileage driven 2000 miles Heavy Excessive Oil Consumption When removing key from ignition to turn off vehicle. The Vehicle will still run with a heavy shake die out rumble noise.. Scarey..

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Maple Grove, MN

    I was driving my equinox coming up on a red traffic light. Upon pushing down on the brake pedal the radio shut off and the dash started flashing all of the lights very rapidly. The light turned green and i pushed on the accelerator, and there was little or no power and the car killed. I was in the intersection so I quickly put it in park and the car restarted, but had very little power. I was now on a slight incline so I barely made it into gas station and before I could park the car stalled again. Now the doors were locked and I could not unlock them. Did I mention I live in MN and the temp was -9 (31 below windchill) and I was stuck in my car. Horn, doors and windows would not work. It got very cold very quick! After trying and trying 15 min later the doors unlocked. I am 64 and disabled. A man gave me a jump and the car ran roughly without power for about 2 min. and died again. I called a friend who came and jumped the car. He left the cables on for 10 min. or so and had me try it. I was about 3/4 mile from home and he unhooked the cables and said "Go! Go!" so I raced toward home. He followed and a block before home the car killed again! He jumped it again and I got it home. The "service stabilitrack, front camera and all wheel drive" warning lights were all flashing in sequence as was the battery light on the dash and the "charging system" warning. I had the alternator and battery replaced, all fuses and connections checked, and all cables and terminals checked. It still will not hold a charge, and it is my only means of transportation. It is a VERY large paperweight! I see pages of complaints, yet there is no recall. If I was in a more secluded area I could have froze to death! Is that what it will take? Loss of life? Let me state that before this happened there was NO WARNING! No lights came up that there was a problem. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Bartonville, IL

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shuddering and sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she had been adding a quart of oil in the vehicle every two weeks. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown extended warranty coverage. The dealer advised the contact to complete an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle had exceeded the 10-years Extended Warranty Coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Carbondale, IL

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the front-end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered that the front axle bracket had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Felton, CA

    Yes, vehicle is available for inspection. Car dies while in motion, which causes increased risk for accidents to occur. Problem has been inspected by several independent service centers. Not inspected by manufacturer (Chevy) as they will not book appointment for recall inspection as they say no recalls on vehicle. The check engine light came after some time of experiencing issues with car prior to the failure (car constantly dying). Concern: I took my vehicle into a mechanic shop to be serviced as it was having multiple issues, one being that my car was constantly dying while being driven. Diagnostics determined that my car has a plugged PCV system. They did not perform repairs as they found a recall for this issue that covers my specific year, make, and model. I called my local Chevy dealership and they stated they could not find a recall and referred me to General Motors. I contacted GM and they stated that my particular VIN was not apart of the recall. I was told that my car did not receive parts from the same location that was deemed to have been producing faulty parts. Given this reasoning, I asked for information on where my parts came from vs where the parts came from for the recall. They said they did not have access to that level of detail and that my option for escalation was to submit a safety concern to NHTSA. I find it highly suspicious that they state my car is not affected, but cannot provide proof as to how they came to that conclusion. I cannot be the first person to question why my car is not covered when it has the exact issue being recalled. This is our family car that transports our children daily and is now unsafe without proper repairs. GM/Chevy should be required to show proof of why my particular car is not covered and if not, they should be liable for the repairs. Here is the recall information that I have: Document ID: 4098165 Document title: #14882: Special Coverage Adjustment – Plugged PCV Orifice in Intake Manifold (Mar 4, 2015)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Homestead , FL

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Moosic, PA

    When outside temp is at 60 degrees or below car will stall out after it is put in gear. Letting the car warm up does not stop this problem. Only way to keep it running is by putting it in neutral when coming to a stop. I have previously taken to a dealer (Tom Hesser Chevrolet) who stated it happened to them but they did not have a code come up so they could not fix it. Car also sounds rough at start up. Car previously failed the oil consumption test and had new pistons and solenoids put it. I am concerned from reading about others with this issue that it will be a costly repair of either the drive chain or engine replacement. This has been happening for the past 3 years when the weather gets cold so I deal with this all winter long, October- April. I have no documents to upload as no work has been done due to the lack of a code. Will also note when my car failed the oil consumption test the oil light never came on. I questioned the dealer about this & they stated there is no warning light for low oil but when I turn the car on and all the lights on the dash come on there is a low oil light.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
    - Jefferson city, MO

    Was driving on the highway to work this morning while raining and wipers just stopped. Had to pull over to wait for rain to stop and caused me to be late for work

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE