The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Nissan Armada2012 Mazda CX-72012 Nissan Juke 52
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 58,000 miles (56,000–94,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 21 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 12V301000 (parking brake) and 11V591000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Chevy sent dealers 1252 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Gmc/buick/chevrolet: transmission slips when in reverse or not in reverse, 3rd gear or no 3rd…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 21 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 58K miles (56K to 94K km) on the car (20 of all 21 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.7M views · 2012–2015 Chevrolet Captiva
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring202K views
Reset Oil Mainteance Light - 2011 to 2014 Chevy CaptivaPickleTech Productions · 197K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter122K views
2013 Chevy Captiva Transmission Fluid Change - CAMBIO DEL LIQUIDO DE LA TRANSMISION .Guido G F · 91K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical121K views
2012-2015 chevy captiva sport radio removalJPtheinstallguy · 55K views · 6 videos - Cooling system76K views
2014 Chevrolet Captiva Radiator ReplacementOscar Cisneros · 76K views
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door75K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2014 Chevrolet Captiva | AQ1144Filterheads · 75K views - Timing chain & engine30K views
2013 Captiva timing chain failureJake · 23K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition27K views
No Start Diagnosis 2012 CHEVY CAPTIVA Won't Crank...Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 27K views - Oil changes & service25K views
Oil filter removal 2014 chevy captiva 2.4 engine, socket neededFDT Motors · 20K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Chevrolet Captiva 2011 - 2012 PROBLEMSFahrudin Golos · 179K views
2013 Chevy Captiva KEY STUCK & electrical problems ...EASY FIX !!!iiGotDaGrenade- · 14K views
Chevrolet Captiva LTZ 2014 or Holden Captiva 7 3.0L V6 All problems ! Full ReviewSNG Garage Eng · 8K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1252 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Gmc/buick/chevrolet: transmission slips when in reverse or not in reverse, 3rd gear or no 3rd…
- Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Parking brake · recall issued 2012
GENERAL MOTORS LLC (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 26, 2012, THROUGH MAY 17, 2012.
- Steering · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Captiva year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Captiva years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-captiva/?y=2012" title="Chevrolet Captiva reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-captiva/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Chevrolet Captiva reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Captiva year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2013.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Captiva problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (67%), transmission & drivetrain (10%) and speed control (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have?
2 safety recalls (latest: parking brake). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva get?
18 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Captiva problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 35,000 and 58,000 miles (56,000–94,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 21 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Captiva year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works