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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,167 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Apr 162018

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The battery just died but the scary part was that the door didnt open, neither the windows. I was locked inside my car for approximately 10 minutes, also the key switch did not work, the ignition key did not cooperate in releasing the key.

- North Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 152017

Equinox

  • 97,500 miles
I was driving with my wife and dog in the car late at night in cold iciey conditions in Wyoming. Car began to lose power dramatically, steering was tight, lights dimmed, also engine stalled after a bit a of a slide and safely pulling over. We could have wrecked in the middle of nowhere in the icey cold temperatures. Engine light was one. Traction control light was on. Dash reads 'service stabilitrak' and 'engine power reduced !'. I could not get the car to quit stalling. I wasn't safely able to drive it. So I then did a ECU reset. (disconnect ECU and battery). Sat for 20 minutes. Restarted and still same problem after it idled rough for 5 minutes roughly. So next I disconnected the ECU fuse number 42 in the engine fuse box. I then turned key in first position and had same readings. Next I reset the code with my obd scan tool. Repeated the fuse method again... still same reading but without starting the motor once during this.... my guess is the ECU is volitil to this vehicle motor class. Service bulletin states it needs a reflash. Updates for engine oil consumption as well. Very interesting as we consume too much oil. I believe all motor issues in our vehicle we have now (worn piston rings etc) are due to a faulty ECU. The fact that the warning shows when reset and not connected because the fuse is removed proves to me the ECU is having software issue in rendering proper diagnostics as well as safe engine performance. This incident took place in August of 2017. Problem still persists in dry climates where we live in Texas. Same issues. Same symptoms. New sensors, battery, spark plugs and oil change regularly. This vehicle is unsafe and will take lives if not recalled. Imagine driving on ice with your kids inside and then your steering goes out and the engine loses power and brakes.... is that what it will take?

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #22

Jan 052018

Equinox

  • 103,512 miles
Since I purchased the vehicle in September 2014 I have had three instances where the car has stalled while driving. Twice it was related to cam sensors and a check engine light came on. This most recent time on 1/5/2018 the car was idling funny and stalled out no lights on dash. I just got an oil change one week prior. As I was trying to make it to my mechanic I heard an awful noise from the engine I had never heard before. I just barely made it to the mechanic. It stalled at every red light on my way there....but when I got there and they hooked up the computer without a check engine light on a message popped up on the dash that said low oil pressure. I had only one quart of oil in there and like I said I just had the oil changed one week prior. In the past I had taken it to valvoline in between oil changes for top offs because that ticking/rattling sound when the oil is low was happening. They recently told me the Equinox is notorious for high oil consumption and owners are hoping for a recall. I have consistently looked for leaks because that seems to be my luck with cars. I never saw one until the other day and it appears to be a rear seal as it leaks almost at the rate of an oil change drain, but I won't actually know for sure until they take the engine apart. I am beyond frustrated because of course my warranty on the vehicle was up about 3500 miles ago and this is clearly a very expensive repair that isn't at the fault of the driver but rather the manufacturer. Additionally, I'm driving a newborn and two other children around in a car that will randomly stall or potentially combust due to engine failure as a result of lack of oil with no warning from the computer system in the vehicle. This has happened in the vehicle multiple times in 3 years roughly every 25-30K miles.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #21

Oct 202017

Equinox

  • 109,866 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2012 Equinox is currently dead at a Chevy dealership. Here is the history: On October 20, 2017 the engine of my 2012 Equinox blew at 109,866 miles when key was turned. The engine blew because was absolutely no oil in my engine and no leaks were present. I did not see any lights saying there was an oil problem. In fact, my dashboard read that I had enough oil before the next oil change was needed. I recently purchased an oil change on September 15, 2017 at 108,500 miles. I provided the receipt to dealership. I have always gotten regular oil changes. Recently I had to get oil changes and checks more frequently than GM recommends due to oil missing from my vehicle for no apparent reason or explanation. Because I had to put in so much oil, I would often take my car in for an oil change at a local oil change business or request my father to change/add oil into my vehicle. I travel around SE mi and rely on my vehicle for work, so I do not have the time or extra funds to make an appointment take my vehicle into the dealership for monthly oil changes and top-offs (see below). February 10, 2017 - oil changed March 14, 2017 - oil changed April 26, 2017 - oil added May 18, 2017 - oil changed June 1, 2017 - oil added June 30, 2017 - oil changed July 8, 2017 - oil added August 3, 2017 - oil added August 15, 2017 - oil changed August 28, 2017 - oil added September 15, 2017 - oil changed at 108,500 miles October 20, 2017 - engine blew at 109,866 miles, without any indication that engine needed to be serviced, oil was low, etc. In fact, my dashboard shows that I have ample oil life left in my engine before oil needs to be changed. I have a few receipts for these service dates.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #20

Aug 112017

Equinox

  • 21,000 miles
First one week ago, the car was slow to turn on when turning the ignition and all the lights on the instrument panel lite up with the message check power steering. Tonight 8/11/17 the car will not turn over, but it still has a working horn, lights. And radio. Check engine light comes on followed by service power steering, service stabiltrack message, electric windows would not roll up, speedometer and RPM gauges move all the way over and back, and all the lights on the electric panel are on. Engine will not turn on.

- Gillette, WY, USA

problem #19

Jan 032017

Equinox

  • 65,000 miles
Purchased this vehicle 2 years ago. It has under 50K miles and seemed to be in good condition. Currently it is at 65K miles and has experienced these issues: -stalling at intersections or stop signs a total of 6 times. Taken in multiple times for this issue. - wheel grinding and bucking when stoping of turning right. Also taken in multiple times to dealer - electrical system failure identical to the prior year model recall. The electrical system that houses the heating system and the radio has stopped working. None of the buttons are lighting up at all. You can not turn on the heat or defrost causing S visibility hazard. The radio it's self does work but you have to operate it from the steering wheel. The 2011 models had the same exact issue and were recalled. I feel this model should be included since the issue is the same. No alterations or have been done to the console. Everything is still as it was when purchased from the dealer

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #18

Mar 062016

Equinox

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The my link radio goes out at around 40,000 to 50,000 miles. With the loss of the radio you lose backup camera and all the info on the vehicle including warnings such as turn indicator noises, hazard noises, and all the other smart features of the vehicle.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #17

Oct 042016

Equinox

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While reversing into a parking space, the vehicle shook and stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- King George, VA, USA

problem #16

Jul 112016

Equinox

  • 71,000 miles
This may be related to NHTSA campaign number 16V502000. On July 11, 2016, I was in my son's driveway, placed my car in park, and my granddaughter and I got out of the car. The car was still, and my keys were still in the ignition. While I was between the door and the car, the car started to roll backwards, which knocked me to my feet and under the car. The car rolled up onto my ribcage and my vision started to go dark. A nearby person managed to roll the car off of me. I was taken to the hospital where I learned I had five broken ribs and a small puncture in my lung. My leg is bruised from my thigh to my toes. About a week later, I developed an infection in a wound on my ankle. I have had several follow up visits to doctor to check for pneumonia and blood clots. A visiting nurse comes to my house twice per week. I cannot drive and have weight restrictions for several weeks. I have mailed a letter to the CEO and general counsel of GM, but have not received a response.

- Louisville, NE, USA

problem #15

Aug 172011

Equinox

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the key fractured inside the ignition while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the key was replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and the key was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #14

Aug 062015

Equinox

  • 43,968 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the air conditioner failed to function and the center console became inoperable. All the warning lights on the instrument cluster illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,968.

- Lancaster , CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 072015

Equinox

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving at 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Montoursville, PA, USA

problem #12

Mar 012013

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 18,060 miles
Vehicle lights for service stabilitrac, engine and alternator will be lit on dash. Car hesitates upon acceleration. Car was checked by dealer but they unable to correct the problem.

- Nanticoke, PA, USA

problem #11

Jul 242014

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 500 miles
Vehicle will accelerate unexpectedly or sputter or pause before accelerating. Vehicle has stalled out several times. Radio preset station zeros out or radio station randomly changes. Clock does not work on a regular basis. Key fob locks and door opener randomly stops working until key fob is put into the ignition. Warning lights on dash come on randomly, mostly on washer fluid and tire pressure.

- Deridder, LA, USA

problem #10

Jul 152014

Equinox

  • 22,000 miles
In July of this year, it was a 100 degree day in charleston, and my wife had our 2 years old daughter in her car seat. My wife had the airconditioning on, and the car running, and she checked the mail, for some reason, the locks on the doors engaged, and my daughter was locked in the car. I immediately called the dealer, and I brought the car in for service. They had my vehicle for over a week. They returned the vehicle to me and informed me that they had redone all the wiring and that it should all be fixed, and it wouldn't happen again. Then as fate would have it, our rear view camera started going in and out randomly, but we didn't think anything of it, then sure enough, once again in September, I had my daughter out to lunch, I placed her in her seat, strapped her in, and laid the keys down next to her, the doors were all unlocked, I closed the back door, went to open the front door, and the locks engaged once again. This time the ac was not running. My wife had a key but was about 45 min away. This time, the baby was in there for over half an hour, and was a hysterical mess. I immediately called the dealer again, obviously much more upset this time, and asked them to explain what was going on. They had no answer and asked me to bring it in again. I brought the vehicle in, they had it for over 2 weeks and informed me that they had reset everything to factory specs, and given me 2 new key fobs, as they thought the fobs may have been causing the issue. I got the car back and within an hour, of getting the car back, the camera went out on the dashboard.I called the sales manager again, and he came and picked the vehicle up. The only thing we have been told and I quote is "we are chasing a gremlin in the wiring system", they cant figure out what it is, they want to put me in a new 2015. GM corporate cannot offer any resolution outside of a new key fob.

- Daniel Island, SC, USA

problem #9

Sep 112014

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 15 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000..updated 09/ 30/14 the consumer stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel seemed to break free and continued moving about two inches. At the same time, the vehicle shut off, the lights went out. The consumer had to coast to the side of the road. When he finally stopped, he was able to move the gear shift from drive to park and restarted the vehicle. The dealer was unable to find a problem. Updated 10/08/14

- Birmingham, MI, USA

problem #8

Aug 162014

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
When the engine was turned on, the airconditioner was not working and the radio is stucked.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Feb 052013

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 13,500 miles
2012 Chevrolet Equinox has been to the dealer four times for the same problem. Would seem to have to do with the electrical components in the radio/gps unit. The safety portion involves the dash and gps unit darkening during the day which causes the driver not able to see any of the gauges. Not being able to see the speedometer is extremely dangerous. At the same time any use of the gps is unavailable. Have been told the entire unit and components were replaced. Now I have my doubts. The dealer and service department is dublin Chevrolet in dublin, ca.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 072014

Equinox

  • 55,655 miles
Driving slowly the engine and entire electric system shuts down and the car just turns off while driving. Then you have to put it in park and start the car back up and then it happens again.

- Fort Stewart , GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 052014

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
I filed a different report earlier for the same vehicle. Now the vehicle is starting on its own, if the key is left in the ignition when you turn it off, about 30 seconds to 1 minute later the car will start with no one behind the wheel. It will continue to try to start until you pull the key out. It is just the key in the ignition, no key chain hanging from it. Last week Apr 29,2014 the car started and ran for 10 second with the ignition off. How long before the vehicle jumps into gear and runs someone over with no one behind the wheel? I found out that this website does not investigate any report unless you pay $50 plus, whatever else they want for it.

- Ingleside, TX, USA

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