2012 Chevrolet Equinox: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox: 3 recalls, 685 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Tires Vehicle recall #11V511000 · 2011 · 33,964 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #14V447000 · 2014 · 414,333 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V502000 · 2016 · 8,367 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle May rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (355): the most common themes are excess oil use (128), stalls / loses power (110), warning light on (99).
- Visibility/Wiper (121): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), rust / corrosion (9), electrical failure (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (84): the most common themes are warning light on (21), stalls / loses power (21), hard / delayed shifting (18).
- Electrical (70): the most common themes are electrical failure (17), stalls / loses power (17), warning light on (15).
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has 685 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 22 Equinox model years for complaints (1.6× the average Equinox year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (117 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 81,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (782 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (751 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Owners have filed 685 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (355), visibility/wiper (121), transmission & drivetrain (84).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.