2012 Chevrolet Equinox transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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 Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2024ALElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   2012 Chevrolet equinox burns/leaks oil which cause the serpentine belt to pop off & I had to replace it. Having problems with the MAT & IAT codes, just replaced the fuel pump, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, & spark plugs... Car still will not crank. They're saying there's no recall but why are all the Chevrolet equinox malfunctioning with the same problems with no help from the manufacturer?

   NHTSA complaint #11618744 · source
2. Filed May 10, 2024110,000 miPAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that her husband discovered that the timing chain had failed. In addition, there was an excessive consumption of oil causing the contact to add engine oil frequently. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced but no further diagnosis was available for the other failures. The vehicle was not repaired.…

   NHTSA complaint #11588003 · source
3. Filed Feb 9, 2024MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Chevy sold the Equinox knowing full well that it had engine problems. The oil system fails, using oil at an excessive rate and oil dumping from engine. They were aware that around 80,000 miles the car would need over $4000 in repairs. They also knew the timing chain gets off timing causing over $2000 in repairs. Both of which happened to my vehicle within 6 months. The Engine ceased up and was undrivable. It sat in our driveway for over 18 months while we paid off the loan.

   NHTSA complaint #11571122 · source
4. Filed Jul 11, 2023132,000 miTXElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact’s friend owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact who is an independent mechanic stated that his friend had taken the vehicle to be repaired after the key became stuck in the ignition. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the key cylinder lock housing had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train) however, an undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11531680 · source
5. Filed May 19, 2023MOCrashEngineSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2012 chevy equinox lt had had nothing but issues with the timing chain the oil consumption where it hardly wants to start I have only had this used vehicle for 6 months or less I shouldn’t be having all these problems with it! The tailpipe isn’t smoking out white clouds but when you put your hand over it it leaves black oil gas smelling grunge on your hand! This is the second equinox I have owed in less than 1 year and it should not be costing me a fortune in repairs…

   NHTSA complaint #11522842 · source
6. Filed Apr 16, 2023MOEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I bought my 2012 chevy equinox Lt 2.4L because I owed one just like it but a deer totaled it at only 10 mph! It been nothing but issues since I purchased it drove it off the lot the check engine light comes on and then I go to get it checked and it states that I have a permanent catylic converter code that no one can fix except gmc! When I idle at a stop for longer than 1 min it starts stuttering and jerking like it’s gonna die! So I clean my throttle body like the mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11517323 · source
7. Filed Nov 9, 202262,000 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the front-end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered that the front axle bracket had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11492936 · source
8. Filed Aug 18, 2022NYEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   the camshaft actuators continue creating difficultdriving conditions. The POO11 and POO13 Codes continually show Faulty even after replacement. the Vehicle {2012 Chevrolet Equinox} Lurches and Bucks,creating difficulty for the safe operations of this vehicle. This creates Adverse reactions from other motorists by just acting up ,even after repairs. This is my 3rd time replacing these components to no avail. The OBD does kick out the engine light, but its Definately…

   NHTSA complaint #11480062 · source
9. Filed Aug 6, 2021DCElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Gauges- oil light does not turn on, when the vehicle is low in motor oil. Which causes internal engine failure, which include, but not limited: timing belts to piston wear. Vehicle was in highway speed and lost vehicle power, which caused safety issues for my vehicle and vehicles behind me. Vehicle also has braking and transmission issues; at full stop on a hill and putting the transmission in "N"eutral the vehicle rolls forward, even when the brakes are fully applied or…

   NHTSA complaint #11428062 · source
10. Filed May 17, 2021VAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    Car kept stalling when slowing down on the highway in traffic on beltway from Maryland to home in Virginia. Very dangerous situation. Car was also sluggish when accelerating. Had to drive with two feet one on brake and gas pedal when slowing down to avoid car shutting off completely on the road. Dropped car off at dealer this evening. I checked and did not see any recalls. Can’t locate safety bulletins from Chevy as they are not published. Dealer said would look for any…

    NHTSA complaint #11417533 · source
11. Filed Apr 18, 2021109,000 miMOEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The car was in motion when the reduced engine power sensor came on and shut down. It was towed to a local repair shop where it was determined that the timing chain broke due to lack of oil due to bent piston rings and the oil escaping. All of that was repaired and maybe 6 months later the check engine light was back on. We took it back to the shop and it was decided there was extensive damage done to the engine based on the previous oil consumption issue. The engine was then…

    NHTSA complaint #11408626 · source
12. Filed Mar 30, 2021223,500 miOHDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was driving on a busy rural route when i came to a stop , went to take off the car had no power. I have only had this vehicle 1 month, and the code says it it the transmission control module . Luckily we were not hit after about 30 seconds it kicks in and has power , not very safe at all .

    NHTSA complaint #11405491 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology