2012 Chevrolet Captiva
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 89 of 145 complaints (61%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,450 | 2,700–3,450 | 2,700–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–23 | 18–23 | 18–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–20 / 22–28 | 16–20 / 22–28 | 16–20 / 22–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–494 | 389–487 | 347–482 | |
| Complaints filed | 145 | 106 | 144 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
Electrical: 89 of 145 NHTSA complaints (61%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva get?
EPA rates it 18–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 89 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 28 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 12V301000 · Jun 28, 2012
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 PARK BRAKE CABLE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED IN ITS CONNECTOR AND MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PARK BRAKE WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE.
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID · Campaign 11V591000 · Dec 20, 2011
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. INCREASED PUMP SPEED GENERATES HEAT THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAN RESULT IN POWER STEERING FLUID TEMPERATURES THAT APPROACH THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIRS MELTING POINT.
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 DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. GM ANTICIPATES PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.