RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Brakes Problems

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

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
13
Latest Mar 14, 2026
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.
2%
of 682 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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 brake

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

BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 14, 2026

The abs braking and stability control light came on and has stayed on and took to mechanic shop and was told to repair would be $4000 .that's more than what the car is worth!changed motor oil many times since I owned the car and it uses oil quite much.ihe oil gauge can say I have 70 percent oil and the dipstick reads no oil so I must put 2 -3 quarts of oil in car because I can hear lifters rattle due to lack of oil.the abs stability control keeps car steady especially in i snow or rain weather and can lose control of the 2012 Chevy equinox.if I was to drive vehicle on long trip the motor could freeze up while driving and shut down and cause dangerous situation in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11724278
Incident
Feb 12, 2026
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 16, 2025

the abs light came on the dash and traction control.i was driving in a rain storm and went around a corner and front end started to slide.was only going 35 mph so I didn't lose control.this happened on.04/15/2025 .if I would have been going any faster I would have lost control.this is very dangerous as I realized. it should be fixed by GM for safety concerns.

NHTSA ID
11654961
Incident
Apr 15, 2025
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2022

CAR SURGES WHEN BRAKES APPLIED WHILE .

NHTSA ID
11467957
Incident
Jun 5, 2022
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 2, 2021

WHENEVER I STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN MY CAR STARTS TO VIOLENTLY ROCK BACK AND FORTH. NOT SIDE TO SIDE. THERE'S NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR BUT YOU CAN VISIBLY SEE THE JERKING OF THE CAR. IT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. LOTS OF PLACES CANNOT GET THE VEHICLE TO MIMIC THIS SO THEREFORE THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE AND INSIST I'M CRAZY. OR THAT I'VE COME TO A STOP TO QUICKLY. WHICH I HAVE NOT. I HAVE EVEN WENT THE EXTRA MILE OF SLOWING DOWN WAY AHEAD OF TIME WHICH ALSO CAUSES THE ISSUE OF SAFETY. I HAVE MY TWO YEAR OLD WITH ME CONSTANTLY AND SHE JERKS AROUND IN HER CAR SEAT AT ALMOST EVERY STOP LIGHT:( I'M STARTING TO REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11391168
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
67,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 30, 2020

IT HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. IT ALSO SHAKES REAL BAD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I HAVE BOUGHT NEW ROTORS AND PADS AND IT STILL SHAKES NO MATTER THE SPEED I'M GOING.

NHTSA ID
11361927
Incident
Feb 16, 2019
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK AFTER SHORT TRIPS AND THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BURTNESS CHEVROLET, 802 GENESIS DR, ORFORDVILLE, WI 53576, (608) 352-3053) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED EVEN AFTER THEY PROMISED TO OFFER THE CONTACT AN EXTENDED FOUR YEAR WARRANTY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID
11149655
Incident
Jun 6, 2018
Mileage
76,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 24, 2018

WHEN MY VEHICLE IDOLS AT A STOP LIGHT, IT STARTS TO SHAKE AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF. WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL THE INSIDE MAKES A SCREECHING SOUND.

NHTSA ID
11113438
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2015

I BOUGHT THIS CAR 3/30/2015 FROM CARMAX WEST SAHARA 7244. LAS VEGAS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE A 100 CHECKS THEY DO ON A CAR BEFORE THEY SELL. THIS CAR HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS A RENTAL. BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THE MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OVER AND CHANGE FLUIDS, CHECK SPARKS PLUGS AND HOSES, WIRES, AND BRAKES ETC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE CRACKED. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. 900 DOLLARS PLUS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY WERE ORIGINAL PARTS AND MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. YES I SAW THE ROTORS AND THEY WERE CRACKED.

NHTSA ID
10726984
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2015
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE DOOR OPEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE KNOCKED THE CONTACT DOWN, DRAGGED HER DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND ROLLED OVER HER RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,500. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10723063
Incident
May 9, 2015
Mileage
60,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,600.

NHTSA ID
10594780
Incident
May 23, 2014
Mileage
19,600 mi
Brakes
Filed May 25, 2014
Crash reported

AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN GETTING READY TO COME TO A STOP AT ABOUT 10/15 MPH, I PRESSED MY BRAKES AND THEY FELT HARD. I COULD NOT PRESS DOWN SO I CONTINUED TO TRY, WHEN THEY VIBRATED AND COULD NOT STOP, I CRASHED INTO THE PERSON AT THE RED LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593965
Incident
May 21, 2014
Mileage
51,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 25, 2014

THE ABS LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" MESSAGE APPEARS. THE LIGHTS AND MESSAGE TURN OFF AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, BUT THEN CONTINUOUSLY TURN OFF AND ON. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593948
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
77,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 13, 2012

2012 CHVEROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TOWING THE VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THAT IN ORDER TO TOW THE VEHICLE ON ALL FOUR WHEELS, THE NUMBER 32 FUSE MUST BE REMOVED. HOWEVER, WHEN IT WAS REMOVED, THE 12 VOLT RECEPTACLE WAS DISCONNECTED WHICH RENDERED THE BRAKE BUDDY NON-FUNCTIONAL.*JB UPDATED 11/27/12 UPDATED 02/11/13.

NHTSA ID
10484341
Incident
Nov 1, 2012

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 .