The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Equinox · 2012

2012 Chevrolet Equinox. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index44100 = average car
Complaints104NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold218,621U.S. model year
Per 100K sold48complaints
Year rank#6 of 17#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD22 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdAWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,700 and 109,000 miles. Median 81,000, from 499 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine89,00065,000–111,200246
Wipers & visibility94,00070,000–115,00097
Transmission & drivetrain75,30049,900–113,00058
Electrical65,00024,500–105,00051
Fuel or ev drive system69,00037,600–90,00035

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine31%
Transmission & drivetrain15%
Electrical15%
Fuel or ev drive system12%
Speed control12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
68516611021

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16V502000 Jul 2016 Electrical System / Ignition

    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 Sta

    Risk. 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.

  • 14V447000 Jul 2014 Seats / Front Assembly / Power Adjust

    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.

    Risk. 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 14

  • 11V511000 Oct 2011 Tires / Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

    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 PRES

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedMomentary increased steering effort20202022
ClosedFront wiper transmission inoperative20192022
ClosedWindshield wiper transmission failure20182019

Manufacturer communications 1847

Chevy filed 1847 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2010–2017 Chevy Equinox, 12.3M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical8924K
Gauges, lights & wiring4637K
Heat, A/C & blend door7625K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors4472K
No-start: theft light, key & ignition1434K
Oil dilution & oil burning2409K
Steering & suspension4395K
Oil changes & service4392K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–1186,148Speed control
201084138149,979Engine
201176170193,274Engine
201244104218,621Engine
201354157238,192Wipers & visibility
20143286242,242Electrical
201545121277,589Wipers & visibility

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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