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Air bagsPart report

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Air bags Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
3%of 685 total for the year
Median mileage
62,271miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 3% of the 685 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,271 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was involved in an accident where I rear ended a stopped vehicle. My cruise was set at 57 MPH and I did not apply brakes. Because cruise was set, I hit once, bounced back and hit again. My airbags did not deploy at all. The vehicle has extensive damage to the frame but no airbag deployment.”

NHTSA complaint #10979985, filed 2017-04, 153,000 miles

“We were sitting still at train crossing when we were struck from the rear and was shoved forward 8-10 feet into the car in front of us. The car is a total loss. With all of the rear and front damage, none of the airbags were deployed. Also, both front seats broke loose from the seat brackets that hold the seats to the floor. My wife (passenger seat) not only broke loose but the seat twisted.”

NHTSA complaint #10554862, filed 2013-12, 21,000 miles

“I was traveling south as another car was traveling north. The car traveling north made a rapid left turn directly in my traveling path. We collided and my car was totaled. I hit the steering wheel pretty hard because the airbag did not deploy. How should I proceed?”

NHTSA complaint #10546238, filed 2013-09, 39,000 miles

“I have been having an issue with fumes coming into the cab of my vehicle through the front vents when set to defroster or circulating air from outside to inside through the vents. The fumes smell of gas or exhaust and are very noticeable when sitting still while engine is running. This is noticeable mainly when sitting still in vehicle with engine running. The smell is overwhelming. I have developed breathing problems since purchasing my vehicle. I have been newly diagnosed with asthma and am having to take breathing treatments. I had the first asthma attack in december 2019. …”

NHTSA complaint #11312238, filed 2020-02, 104,629 miles

“Airbag deployment system - airbag message came on car was parked and when I turned the car on husband message shows up and will not go away. . For no reason. The front bumper pops out also, for no reason and imthe plastic parts that hold it in place are broken and don't keep the bumper in place. And my car makes a weird rattling noise . And it stopped pick up up speed when I turn my AC on .but I don't know why it won't pick up speed . I didn't know I had a warranty at the time so when I called hey said they warranty had expired and this has been an issue since I bought the car . …”

NHTSA complaint #11204337, filed 2019-04, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202611%
202434%
202322%
202242%
202144%
202083%
2019114%
2018154%
2017197%
2016123%
2015386%
2014295%
2013253%
2012193%
2011527%
2010577%
20092628%
200811030%
200714621%
2006112%
2005386%

Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

Engine
355 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
127 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
84 complaints
Electrical system
70 complaints
Fuel system
54 complaints
Other or unknown
54 complaints
Steering
36 complaints
Electronic stability control
26 complaints
Body and structure
26 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Suspension
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology