2012 Chevrolet Equinox
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 360 of 683 complaints (53%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 782 in 2011 to 683 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,100 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–22 / 24–32 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–444 | 342–468 | 342–468 | 347–481 | 347–476 | |
| Complaints filed | 784 | 782 | 683 | 751 | 546 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 30 | 16 | 20 | 23 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 41 | 13 | 20 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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 Equinox have?
3 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 Equinox?
Engine: 360 of 683 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox get?
EPA rates it 19–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 360 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 84 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 54 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 70 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 38 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 36 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 31 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 133 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Other | 57 | 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 (3)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
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 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 and Rollaway Prevention."
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:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 14V447000 · Jul 23, 2014
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 driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
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), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · Campaign 11V511000 · Oct 25, 2011
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 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.
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.