Every 2012 Chevrolet Equinox recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 16V502000
May 7, 2016Electrical System:Ignition
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V502000 →Seats · NHTSA 14V447000
Jul 23, 2014Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
- Problem
- General 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.
- Risk
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Full recall details for 14V447000 →Tires · NHTSA 11V511000
Oct 19, 2011Tires:Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
- Problem
- GENERAL 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.
- Risk
- UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
- Fix
- GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Full recall details for 11V511000 →
2012 Chevrolet Equinox complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 685 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, reporting 16 crashes, 6 fires, 13 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 1,847 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine355
- Visibility/Wiper121
- Power Train84
- Electrical System70
- Fuel/Propulsion System54
- Unknown Or Other53
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (759)
- Electrical System (354)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (229)
- Engine (164)
- Power Train (121)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (114)
Read Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort
PE20009Opened Jun 1, 2020Closed Jun 3, 2022
- Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
EA19005Opened Dec 13, 2019Closed Nov 28, 2022
- Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
RQ18002Opened Nov 2, 2018Closed Dec 19, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 685 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“Accident involving frontal impact with a deer. Heard and smelled propellant charge for airbag and service airbag light came on, no airbag inflation anywhere I could find it. Front grille/bumper cap, AC core, passenger fender are scrap. Any other cases of this.”
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOXJan 4, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11563655
Crash
“My 2012 chevy equinox lt had had nothing but issues with the timing chain the oil consumption where it hardly wants to start I have only had this used vehicle for 6 months or less I shouldn't be having all these problems with it!”
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOXMay 19, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11522842
Injury reportedCrash
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, HE SUFFERED A MEDICAL CONDITION AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO A THREE FEET HIGH CEMENT BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.”
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOXJun 18, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11329614
Fire
“ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2020 1:09PM MY 2012 EQUINOX VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE 10 MINUTES AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, AND LOCKED WITH THE KEY BEFORE ENTERING THE RESIDENCE. SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY WITH FLAMES.”
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOXFeb 7, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11307722
Injury reported
“ON DEC. 14,2019 WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY PARKWAY IN NEW JERSEY IN THE POURING RAIN, MY WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, MADE ME VIOLENTLY SWERVE OFF OF THE ROAD AND INJURE MY RIGHT KNEE.”
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOXDec 22, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11290738
Check your Equinox by VIN
Not every 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →