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2012 Chevrolet Equinox: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Equinox years.
685 owner complaints, most about engine. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Equinox?The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has 685 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and visibility/wiper.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Equinox years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Equinox?
Across the 22 Equinox model years we track, complaint volume runs from 94 (2009) to 784 (2010). With 685 complaints, the 2012 Equinox sits above the model's median of 398.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Equinox
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 16V502000General 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."
seats:front assembly:power adjust
Campaign 14V447000General 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 seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Campaign 11V511000GENERAL 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 THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by powertrain and generation.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Equinox. See the full Equinox owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Equinox listings typically run $11,900–$21,431.
Other Equinox model years
Compare every Equinox year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Equinox against its rivals
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