How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?

Of 943 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 456,664 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 943 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16V502000 2016-07-05 8,367 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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 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.

SEATS 14V447000 2014-07-23 414,333 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac),…

TIRES 11V511000 2011-10-19 33,964 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE

354

VISIBILITY/WIPER

121

POWER TRAIN

111

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

111

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

STRUCTURE:BODY

AIR BAGS

Total complaints943

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Wipers do not work seems to not recognize when idling and starts to shake if stopped at a red light. Randomly will go through 2 quarts of oil in one day”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2026-04-24

“Wipers do not work seems to not recognize when idling and starts to shake if stopped at a red light. Randomly will go through 2 quarts of oil in one day”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-04-24

“The abs braking and stability control light came on and has stayed on and took to mechanic shop and was told to repair would be $4000 .that's more than what the car is worth!changed motor oil many times since I owned the car and it uses oil quite much.ihe oil gauge can say I have 70 percent oil…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-02-12

“The abs braking and stability control light came on and has stayed on and took to mechanic shop and was told to repair would be $4000 .that's more than what the car is worth!changed motor oil many times since I owned the car and it uses oil quite much.ihe oil gauge can say I have 70 percent oil…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2026-02-12

“Recently got an oil change, and in a month iâ€™ve had to â€œtop-offâ€� my oil. Constantly have to make sure I carry a few quarts of oil to make sure my oil is filled. One day, I forgot to check the oil and my car was stalling on a busy road. Had to pull over to make sure I put the oil in there.…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2025-11-17

“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear suspension trailing arm and subframe assembly rusted completely through, causing the suspension to separate from the frame. The corroded and broken components are still attached to the…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2025-11-04

“Rear tailgate. Borrowed vehicle from a friend for a trip. When opening the tailgate with the external switch it opens all the way and immediately comes back down about 12 inches or so then it immediately goes back up and immediately comes all the way down. My wife was almost trapped between the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-09-30

“The vehicles oil needs to be checked every day to make sure the levels are not low. The vehicle has no visible oil leaks on the ground or inside, but the oil levels will drop. With that I have to constantly have oil on hand to make sure I refill it or the engine would be dry. Itâ€™s becoming a…”

ENGINE · reported 2025-07-16

Defect investigations

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not…

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

Investigation PE20009 Opened 2020-06-01 · closed 2022-06-03

Momentary Increased Steering Effort

On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC…

Investigation PE20009 Opened 2020-06-01 · closed 2022-06-03