2012 Chevrolet Captiva Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical4346.7%
- Engine1617.4%
- Driver assistance1112.0%
- Powertrain (other)55.4%
- Fuel system44.3%
- Airbags33.3%
- Brakes33.3%
- Exterior lighting33.3%
- Steering33.3%
- Tires & wheels11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO EJECT THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND MANUEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *JS
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS CAR HAS SO MANY ELECTRICAL CODES WHEN TESTED. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR A YEAR. WHY HADN'T GM DID A RECALL ON THESE CARS. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US WHO HAVE THIS CAR. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND WOULD LIKE A ANSWER TO WHY THERE ISNT A RECALL WITH SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS!
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COOPER CHEVROLET BUICK, 1300 S QUINTARD AVE, ANNISTON, AL, 36201), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DISENGAGE OR DISPLAY A FUEL PUMP ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT HAS GONE OFF INDICATING THAT IT CAN EITHER NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT OR IT CAN INFLATE ON IT'S OWN. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT CANNOT BE PREVENTED BY PROPER MAINTAINENCE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 49K MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DISPLAYED "SERVICE AIR BAG". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE E-BRAKE COMES ON BY ITS SELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. CHECKED AGAINEST VIN AND STATED NOT ON RECALL LIST BUT OTHERS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME THING.
STABILITRAK SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY. THEN THIS MORNING, THE PARKING BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. ANYTIME I APPLIED THE BRAKE, MY SHIFTER WOULD CLICK LOUDLY. ANYTIME I WENT OVER 20 MPH, THE CARE WOULD REV LIKE IT WAS HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE SHIFTING. TWICE IT WOULDN'T GO RIGHT AWAY EVEN IF I WAS HARD OR EASY ON THE GAS AND I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC. THE D SYMBOL ON DASH WOULD EVEN FLICKER. THIS CAR HAS HAD SO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T FURTHER RECALLS!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, VEHICLE LOST POWER STRANDING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
QUITE OFTEN, WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE, I LOOSE MY POWER STEERING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS MAKES TURNING VERY DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES SCARY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES, TODAY BEING THE MOST RECENT.
IGNITION DON'T TURN TO THE OFF POSITION STICKS IN ACC YOU HAVE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND MOVE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH THEN TRY TO TURN CAR OFF AGAIN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRESTONE CHAMPION FUEL FIGHTER TIRE 235/60R17 TREAD SEPARATING FROM BODY OF TIRE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .