2012 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine oil consumption: the oil level drops between changes, sometimes with no warning light, and some engines suffered internal damage after running low. Reports of front windshield wipers that stop working in rain or snow are also common, and transmission, electrical and power-steering complaints appear less frequently. Many of these reports arrive in the 70,000-130,000 mile range rather than on a new vehicle.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 271 complaints (40%)
   • median 91,250 mi at 7.0 yrs old (176 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,200 (median of 37 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe adding a quart or more of oil between changes, in some cases several quarts over a few weeks, and finding the dipstick dry with no oil warning light. Dealers, according to the complaints, often called it a known characteristic of the engine, performed an oil consumption test, or recommended piston ring work; several owners said the repair was quoted as out-of-pocket because a special coverage or warranty had expired. Some complaints go on to describe the engine stalling, smoking, making a knocking or ticking noise, or being diagnosed as needing replacement after running very low on oil. Reported from roughly 60,000 miles upward, with many owners noting the problem started in the 30,000-90,000 mile range.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level cold and again after a few hundred miles of driving, and ask for any oil consumption test records or prior piston ring or timing chain work. A service bulletin covers oil consumption diagnosis and another addresses oil found in the cooling system, so ask whether either was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased this vehicle about a year ago from original owner. It has burned oil since I owned it. I have 83,000 miles on the vehicle and the engine seized on me. The cost to repair is $6700. I have had oil changes every 2,000 miles since I bought it and take good care of my vehicles. I will never buy chevy again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11300678, filed 2020-01, 83,000 miles

   “My vehicles check engine light came on then the stability light came on the vehicle sounded like it was choking. When we got it to the repair shop it stalled out and when the shop did shove investigation there was no oil in the vehicle. Although there was no warning about oil being low or lights on. As we were bringing vehicle to shop it smelled of burning. Vehicle started malfunctioning when stationary and became worse when in motion.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309696, filed 2020-02, 166,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalling, power loss or engine replacement

   • 269 complaints (39%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (200 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,501 (median of 36 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe the engine losing power or shutting off while driving at highway or street speeds, sometimes with a reduced engine power message and sometimes with no warning light. After towing, owners say shops found a blown engine, a broken piston or no oil in the engine and recommended a replacement, and some report the work was paid for themselves. A few mention smoke or an abnormal noise before the stall. Typically reported between 70,000 and 140,000 miles, at a wide range of speeds.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the engine has been replaced or rebuilt and request service records; a test drive should include a highway stretch and a stop-and-go section. Check for a check engine light and for any stored codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my 2012 chevy Equinox on illinois, I-90 at 70 MPH vehicle started to lose power. Engine could not accelerate, started shaking, than stalled. Putting myself & family at risk & in danger. Engine needed to be replaced or rebuilt, had it rebuilt. Gm is aware of their faulty engines but continues to sell these cars and put families at risk. They lost a lawsuit but continue to deny claims & resell the faulty vehicles. Waited almost a year to be denied. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11404777, filed 2021-03, 107,200 miles

   “My 2012 Equinox stopped running, it was making noise as I drove it and once I stopped and cut it off it never started again. On june 24,2020, it was running rough and I noticed the check engine light on. I checked the oil and there was none in the engine, there were no leakes observed, I could not figure out how all of the oil disappeared, there was no oil in the drive way at all. I went to the store got some, put a couple of quarts in, the next day I called the dealership for an appointment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11342765, filed 2020-08, 74,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Timing chain noise, stretch or failure

   • 73 complaints (11%)
   • median 86,247 mi at 6.7 yrs old (58 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a rattle, tick or metal grinding noise, especially at startup, and being told the timing chains had stretched or snapped. In several complaints the chain failure was linked to low oil, and shops recommended replacing chains, guides and actuators immediately or reported engine damage requiring replacement or rebuild. Some owners said the dealer or manufacturer declined cost assistance. Mostly reported past 60,000 miles, often alongside a known oil consumption problem.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a rattle or tick at cold start and ask whether the timing chains have been replaced. Because chain wear here is often tied to low oil, confirm oil level records before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently purchased this vehicle in september of 2019, and I've realized that my car has been burning oil like crazy. I've had to add almost a quart per week on top of very frequent oil changes. My car makes this ticking noise when it starts and it sounds like the timing chain. There are thousands of complaints, yet the company won't do anything about it unless it's under 125k miles. Mine is at 150k. I don't drive rough or in crazy climates.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330430, filed 2020-06, 150,000 miles

   “2012 Equinox has been using more oil than it should. Took it in for a recall this week, catalytic converters, replaced the exhaust manifold. Engine would lose power when I slowed down or tried to accelerate. Took it back in, service department said I my timing chains are stretched, the chains, guides and actuators need to be replaced asap before my engine stops for good. Service person stated they contacted GM and they will not help with the cost to fix it. I bought the car used in april 2019, it has 89,441 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383973, filed 2020-12, 89,400 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop working

   • 117 complaints (17%)
   • median 94,991 mi at 7.2 yrs old (92 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $364 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the front wipers stopping mid-stroke in rain or snow, sometimes with one arm loose or one side still moving, leaving the windshield unclear at speed. Some describe the wiper motor or linkage failing after simply switching the wipers on, and a few note a dealer or the manufacturer covered the repair while others paid out of pocket. Reported mostly between about 70,000 and 130,000 miles, often in wet or snowy conditions.

   What to check: Turn the wipers on at every speed setting, including intermittent, and watch for slow or uneven movement, a loose arm, or a pause mid-stroke. Ask whether the wiper motor or linkage has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The windshield wipers for the front quit working completely. It was snowing and after cleaning the car and windshield, I went to use the wipers to finish clearing the windshield. The car was parked in my driveway at the time. I went out of the vehicle to check and discovered that while the driver side was stationary in its home resting location, the passenger side was able to freely move by hand, with no resistance”

   NHTSA complaint #11394396, filed 2021-02, 126,000 miles

   “On january 10, 2020, I was driving on hwy. 97 to bend, or, in heavy rain when the wipers sudden stopped. They were in the full wipe position, and they would not move any further. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, but the wipers would not work again. I turned them on and off, and moved them back to the rest position, but they would not move. The rain was too intense to drive without them, so I had to call a tow truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11309564, filed 2020-02, 105,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Lost power steering assist

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a service power steering message on the dash followed by the steering becoming suddenly heavy, sometimes for a short time and then returning to normal. Owners report the assist dropping out at low speed or while turning, and some mention the radio or other electrics cutting out at the same moment. Reported from about 100,000 miles upward in the sample, while driving at ordinary street speeds.

   What to check: Drive slowly and turn the wheel fully in both directions, watching for a power steering message or uneven effort, and ask whether the steering assist motor or column has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was out and about drive the vehicle to destination, turned off as I do before going in to any place. I can out and the vehicle would not start. After adjusting the steering wheel and messing with the gear shifter it started. Acted as if the battery was dead. It standed me for about 45 mins. Now the car acts as if it doesn't want to start and while driving if I turn to the right the radio goes out and power steering cuts out then once out of the turn it works. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11362420, filed 2020-10, 145,700 miles

   “Driving normally about 35 MPH on suburban road when dashboard suddenly indicated service power steering. The steering wheel seemed to lose all power assistance and was strenuous, even dangerously resistant, especially when needing to turn in front of oncoming traffic. Arrived home and check the power steering fuse, which was okay. Next day steering was back to normal power-assist and dashboard indicator message was gone.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331497, filed 2020-06, 109,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for oil change and consumption history first, since oil use and timing chain wear are the most frequently reported topics for this model year, and budget for the possibility of engine work. Check the wipers and power steering on a test drive, and confirm any open recall work by VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.