2012 Chevrolet Equinox Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 19%of 685 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 19% of the 685 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Wipers stopped working unexpectedly in a light rain. I can hear the motor when the wipers are on but the wiper blades don't move. I have seen that there was a recall for certain model years and/or vins in canada for this problem, but there is no recall for my model year or VIN #. The canada recall mentions corrosion of the wiper assembly from road salt and improper drainage.”
NHTSA complaint #11286317, filed 2019-12, 89,000 miles“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“Takata recall. Yesterday (2/28/18) I was driving down the road in pouring down rain& the windshield wipers just stopped. You can hear the motor running but they will not move. The car was running and they had been working fine all day & then just stopped all of a sudden sudden making it to where I could not see while driving. ## VIN passed ## 2012 cheverolet Equinox ##”
NHTSA complaint #11075577, filed 2018-03, 96,000 miles“I was going 60 MPH on the highway in heavy rain and my wipers went off to the side of the windshield and stopped working, leaving me stranded on the shoulder of the highway. I was lucky that I made it to the shoulder. It was dark out in pouring rain with semi trucks all around me. This happened last night, so my car is still waiting for repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11039559, filed 2017-10, 114,000 miles“I had my wipers on during a downpour rain. While driving to work at 7:30 am, monday, july, 22, 2019, on a highway at a slightly reduced speed (50mph in a 65mph zone) my wipers quit working in the extended position directly in my line of site. This was a distraction and hazard as I was in heavy traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11233992, filed 2019-07, 95,008 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11006511Jul 31, 2024This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10247780Sep 26, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10232660Mar 7, 2023Special Coverage. On certain 2010-2012 model year and 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, the ball joints in the front windshield wiper modules of…
- 10232283Feb 17, 2023This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10230697Dec 15, 2022This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 10% |
| 2025 | 30 | 12% |
| 2024 | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 4% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 120 | 30% |
| 2015 | 278 | 41% |
| 2014 | 185 | 34% |
| 2013 | 159 | 21% |
| 2012 | 127 | 19% |
| 2011 | 76 | 10% |
| 2010 | 158 | 20% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 17 | 5% |
| 2007 | 24 | 4% |
| 2006 | 280 | 40% |
| 2005 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
355 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
84 complaintsElectrical system
70 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsElectronic stability control
26 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSuspension
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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