The Lemon Index2012 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 104 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 19 to 26 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2010–2017 Chevy Equinox, 12.3M views. The 2012 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical924K views
How to Replace a Battery 2010 to 2017 Chevrolet EquinoxJohn C RV · 296K views · 8 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring637K views
2014 Chevy equinox headlight bulb replacement WITHOUT REMOVING BUMPER!!!GEARHEADS & WOODWORKS · 294K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door625K views
How To ReCharge AC Chevy Equinox DIY 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Dirt Road Auto Repair · 229K views · 7 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors472K views
Reduced Power Fix 2011 Chevy Equinox - Throttle body replacementMark · 148K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition434K views
solved : No start 2010 Equinox. Loose ground wireNashville Native · 434K views - Oil dilution & oil burning409K views
2011 Equinox Excessive Oil ConsumptionWood Anthology- A Wood Turners Story · 317K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension395K views
How to Replace Control Arm 2010-2017 Chevrolet EquinoxTRQ · 143K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service392K views
2014-2018 chevrolet equinox how to reset tpms fastCorsa Auto Repair & Sales Inc · 156K views · 4 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems: Chevy Equinox SUV Second Generation 2010-171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 639K views
The Top 5 Problems with Chevy Equinox (2nd Generation 2010 - 2017)Alex The Car Doctor · 375K views
Top Common Engine Problems 2010-2017 Chevy Equinox SUV1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 269K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 685 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 55K to 109K miles on the car (499 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 65K–111K miles
- wipers & visibility complaints mostly came at 70K–115K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 49K–113K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2016
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.
- seats 2014
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.
- tires 2011
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 MOTO…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1847 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…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedMomentary increased steering effort2020–2022
- ClosedFront wiper transmission inoperative2019–2022
- ClosedWindshield wiper transmission failure2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
My motor blew due to a oil leak and seized in the middle of traffic I owned the car for 37 days and I owe 18k on it.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 10816841
More owner reports
This car has been using excessive amount of oil from about 60,000 miles. Now it is using about 2 quarts every 1,100-1,3000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10779242
I'm not sure a time frame because it happens once a month up to a few times a month. While driving or stopped my car turns off, it started back up but I've almost been hit on the highway.
NHTSA complaint 10629461
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 44; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (31%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox get?
19 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,700 and 109,000 miles. The middle report was at 81,000 miles, from 499 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works