RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Dec 5, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 65 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2019

GOING DOWN ROAD AT 70MPH AND VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO 40MPH ON ITS OWN AND I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11287216
Incident
Nov 4, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jun 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11217767
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2019

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. HAD IT TESTED AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. DID THAT DROVE IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON TESTED IT AGAIN AND GOT THE SAME READING CONCERNING BANK 1 CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. WAS TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE CAMSHAFT BUT THE READING STILL COMES UP THE SAME IN BANK 1. IS THIS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS IT UNDER SOME KIND OF WARRANTY. HAVE ONLY 104200 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11195291
Incident
Mar 19, 2019
Mileage
92,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THREE QUARTS OF OIL WERE ADDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED BEFORE EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CALLED HEALEY CHEVROLET BUICK (LOCATED AT 5216 NY-17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958, (845) 360-9821) AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11193467
Incident
Mar 29, 2019
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2019

ON 1/2/19, I LEFT WORK AND TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WHEN I BEGAN HEARING ENGINE NOISE. UPON PULLING INTO CONVENIENCE STORE, I CHECKED DIPSTICK AND FOUND NO OIL SHOWING. SINCE OIL WAS CHANGED ABOUT 400 PRIOR AND NO LEAKS WERE FOUND, I PROCEEDED TO ADD OIL TO ENGINE. FOUND OIL LEAKING OUT AS FAST AS PUTTING IN. AFTER BEING TOWED BACK TO WHERE I WORK (INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP) AND NEXT DAY FOUND REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL ON ENGINE DISLODGED FROM ENGINE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND TAKING IT TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP VERIFIED THE OCCURRENCE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PCV CAUSING THIS FAILURE TO HAPPEN.. APPARENTLY AS I DROVE UP THAT BUSY HIGHWAY FROM WORK, MY VEHICLE WAS DISPERSING A VERY FIINE SPRAY OF OIL ON THE VEHICLES FOLLOWING ME, THE ROAD, AND THE ROADSIDE VEGETATION, APPROXIMATELY 5 QUARTS WORTH. THIS CREATED A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME AND RAISED SOME SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. IN SPITE OF GM HAVING ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WHICH WOULD HAVE COVERED THIS REPAIR, I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE LIST. I HAVE HAD THE REPAIR PERFORMED, BUT IF IT IS A KNOWN FAULTY DESIGN, GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND CORRECTING THE ISSUE AND IF I AM NOT ON THEIR LIST, THEY SHOULD EXPAND THE LIST. I HATE HAVING BEEN THE VEHICLE BEHIND CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND FOR CONTAMINATING THE ROAD AND ROADSIDE WITH PETROLEUM WASTE. THE SPECIAL POLICY THAT DID NOT HAVE ME ON THE LIST WAS 14882 - SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT

NHTSA ID
11170730
Incident
Jan 2, 2019
Mileage
94,570 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE KEPT SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN COLD STARTED FROM A PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11154298
Incident
Aug 27, 2018
Engine
Filed Sep 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL WITHIN 1,000 MILES WELL BELOW THE 3,000 MILE NORMAL CHECKUP PERIOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A 20,000 MILE EXTENSION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REASON FOR THE EXCLUSION HAD TO DO WITH WHERE THE ENGINE PARTS WERE SUPPLIED FROM, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IN THE CAPTIVA WAS THE SAME AS THE OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE DEALER (CHAPMAN CHEVROLET, 1717 E BASELINE RD, TEMPE, AZ 85283, (480) 838-1234) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11131469
Incident
Sep 25, 2018
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2018

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON MARCH 2, 2018. WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED (WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS). ON JUNE 11, 2018, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 95,000 MILES ON AT THE TIME. I PURCHASED IT WITH 92,500 ON IT. A WEEK AND A HALF LATER I HAD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER REPAIR WITH THE VALVES DEALING WITH THE TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE IS NOW BACK IN THE SHOP AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN ENGINE CAMSHAFT/EXHAUST PROBLEM DUE TO IT CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AT LEAST 9 TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11120712
Incident
Aug 16, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 8, 2018

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, VEHICLE LOST POWER STRANDING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11118477
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
94,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MARTIN CHEVROLET, 8800 GRATIOT RD, SAGNINAW MI 48609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED ON DECEMBER 3, 2016 THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JANUARY 25, 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTONS, RINGS, AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3844130010. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,390.

NHTSA ID
11072357
Incident
Dec 3, 2016
Mileage
87,390 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 6, 2017

AT RUSH HOUR , THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR STOPS DEAD. NO POWER AT ALL. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD, BUT IT WAS DARK AND WITH NO ELECTRICAL WORKING, COULD NOT USE THE FLASHERS. WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES BY UNCARING DRIVERS. EVEN YELLED AT. NO POWER TO THE CAR AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
11052718
Incident
Dec 5, 2017
Mileage
58,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2017

NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL AT A HIGH RATE. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THIS IS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH CHEVY CAPTIVA'S, THAT THE OIL BURNING WILL MELT THE PISTONS INTO THE PARTS BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. LOCATED BULLETIN 13-06-01-003F-EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION UNDER THE GM WEBSITE BUT THEY STATE IT DOESN'T COVER MY VIN#. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY GM HOW CAN IT SELECT WHICH VEHICLES TO FIX.

NHTSA ID
11039748
Incident
Oct 24, 2017
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2017

THE PARKING BRAKE KEEPS ON GOING ON WELL DRIVING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND FUEL PUMP NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
11024941
Incident
Sep 1, 2017
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 19, 2016

THE CAR WILL NOT START, KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WE HAVE JUMPED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS GOOD, HAD IT CHECKED. 4TH TIME SINCE THE START OF 2016. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO, POWER , I CAN'T EVEN GET THE INDOOR LIGHTS ON. IT IS GOING BACK TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, (IN MY CAR PORT).

NHTSA ID
10885919
Incident
Jul 19, 2016
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed May 25, 2016

MY CAPTIVA DID NOT WANT TO START. THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR A MINUTE AND THEN PLUGGED IT BACK ON TO THE BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED HONKING AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I DEACTIVATED THE ALARM WITH THE REMOTE ON THE KEY BUT ACCIDENTLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. I STATED THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO CLOSE THE HOOD. BUT WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR THE DOORS HAD LOCKED AND MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. I HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW BECAUSE MY YEAR OLD BABY WAS IN THE CAR. MY WIFE COMPLAINED THAT THE RADIO WILL SOME TIMES TURN OFF AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WILL COME ON. ONE IS THE TRACTION CONTROL NEED TO BE SERVICED AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. ALSO THE SERVICE LIGHT WILL TURN ON. ALSO THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WILL DIM AT TIMES. MY WIFE ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON HER AND SHUT OFF ON HER ONCE. SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE CHURCH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED ON HER. I HAVE READ FORUMS AND CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF OTHER CAPTIVA SUV'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONES SUGGESTING THAT ITS THE BATTERY CABLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM IF THESE VEHICLES START TO STALL ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. REGARDS [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID
10870717
Incident
May 21, 2016
Mileage
64,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE FUSES, AND THE RADIO WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10746853
Incident
Dec 13, 2014
Mileage
48,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .