2012 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, and owners have filed 685 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (electrical system) and power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Power adjust (seats)
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…
Remedy: 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.…
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Pressure monitoring and regulating systems (tires)
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…
Remedy: 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.
685 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 685 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 13 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,828 miles. Complaints peaked in 2018 with 117 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“We would like to know what kind of Airbag is mounted in the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox ? pertaining to the Detroit News Article ,September 5 2026 Page 3B = 11th Death tied to Chinese Air Bag made by Jilli”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 20, 2026 · Air bags
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While the contact's daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine shut off. The contact's daughter attempted to restart the vehic”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 18, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox (Equinox AWD, Equinox FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–26 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–22 / 23–31 |
| Fuel | Gasoline or E85, Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Equinox model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Equinox model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
How do I know if my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 11V511000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
- Cobalt7,681 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.