The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,220 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
PARKING BRAKE12V3010002012-06-282,070 affected
Defect
GENERAL MOTORS LLC (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 26, 2012, THROUGH MAY 17, 2012. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PARK BRAKE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "LIGHT VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE…
Consequence
IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE PARK BRAKE CABLES ARE CONNECTED AND SECURE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
STEERING11V5910002011-12-193,150 affected
Defect
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE AND IN FIRST GEAR CAUSES THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO OPERATE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN IS TYPICAL. …
Consequence
AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED FLUID TEMPERATURES, THE RESERVOIR MAY LEAK. LEAKING FLUID, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION, FREE OF CHARGE. AN ADVISORY LETTER TO CUSTOMERS, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 2012. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER ASKING CUSTOMER TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A GM…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
45
3injuries
ENGINE
22
1fires3injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
14
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
12
1crashes3injuries
STEERING
9
1crashes
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
5
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
POWER TRAIN
4
Total complaints134
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My shifter doesn't recognize that its in park and won't let me remove my keys. It gets stuck on acc and I can't turn my key/ignition to the off position. And for the 3rd time it's like popped outta gear. I bought it used. This started 2 months ago but for the 10 days its continually gotten worse.…”
“My shifter doesn't recognize that its in park and won't let me remove my keys. It gets stuck on acc and I can't turn my key/ignition to the off position. And for the 3rd time it's like popped outta gear. I bought it used. This started 2 months ago but for the 10 days its continually gotten worse.…”
“The car will stall and shut off, the radio quits working and the key will get stuck in the ignition.”
“The car will stall and shut off, the radio quits working and the key will get stuck in the ignition.”
“The component that has failed has been the transmission and the ac. My safety was at risk because the car wouldn’t drive forward whilst on the road. It has been confirmed by independent service. Yes the problem has been inspected by representatives. There was a warning that was said “check…”
“The component that has failed has been the transmission and the ac. My safety was at risk because the car wouldn’t drive forward whilst on the road. It has been confirmed by independent service. Yes the problem has been inspected by representatives. There was a warning that was said “check…”
“On my 2012 cheverolet captiva lt .I had the emergency brakes on with the car in drive an I went to open my gates the car jumps out of the parking brakes if the engine idles go up just a little when the air conditioning comes on .or if you are in drive with the emergency brakes up and just revs the…”
“Unknown, car will shut off while driving and turn back on while flashing service traction control. In some cases it will completely turn off and I will have to put transmission in park and re crank it in the middle of traffic. Power steering goes out while driving aswell as other issues. Locks go…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.