2012 Chevrolet Equinox reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 943
- 179 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 354 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 3
- see below
- Reported harm
- 22 reported crashes · 16 injuries · 8 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#444
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Chevrolet median
+635
median 308 across 473 Chevrolet records
Vs 2010-2014
+651
median 292 complaints in 613 records
Top component share
38%
Engine: 354 complaints
What owners report fails — 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
- ENGINE 354
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 121
- POWER TRAIN 82
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 66
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 54
3 recalls on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
- NHTSA 16V502000 · 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing th
- NHTSA 14V447000 · 2014 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of th
- NHTSA 11V511000 · 2011 · TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. TH
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2012 Chevrolet Equinox units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
NHTSA has 943 consumer complaints on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and 3 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (354 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2012 Chevrolet Equinox units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (354), visibility/wiper (121), power train (82), electrical system (66). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.