2012 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical Problems

Rear tailgate. Borrowed vehicle from a friend for a trip. When opening the tailgate with the external switch it opens all the way and immediately comes back down about 12 inches or so then it immediately goes back up and immediately comes all the way down. My wife was almost trapped between the bottom of the tailgate and the floor of the storage compartment. When I tried it, I tried to hold it up when it started down for the second time and it was impossible for me to stop the tailgate from closing. It substantially overpowered me. There is a PROBABILITY that it could have broken her back or strangled her. Even more so if she was packing the car by herself. I exerted all my strength trying to stop the tailgate as I indicated before. I have not contacted anyone about this situation. The vehicle has a little over 84K miles and is in excellent condition. When I called my friend about the problem she said she was aware of it and is living with it because it would cost over $1,000.00 to fix it. I know she bought it used from Ferman Chevrolet in Tampa a few years ago. I was hoping to get it fixed for her before returning the car to her.

NHTSA ID

11692749

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

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 ID

11618744

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

I have owned this car for over 3 years. I have ALWAYS started the car, closed the doors, gotten the kids in the car, and then got in the car myself and went on with my day. On [XXX], I put my 6 month old baby in the car, closed the door, and when I tried to get into the car, all the doors were locked. NEVER in my time of owning this car have the locks EVER locked itself after just starting it and letting it "warm up". Needless to say, thank God my air was already on so my baby was at least "safe" until the police could arrive and get the car opened. But they unfortunately broke my driver side window trying to get in, and so this safety malfunction could have literally killed my child, but it also did cause me damages that I have to get repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11609120

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while performing a daily oil check, the contact became aware that the oil level was low while checking the dipstick. The contact added oil and contacted the dealer and was advised that oil should be added. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 24,500.

NHTSA ID

11534813

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

Mileage

24,500 mi

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 contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11531680

Incident

Jun 27, 2023

Mileage

132,000 mi

This has already been recalled on some 2012 Chevy equinox but apparently not mine. The key gets stuck in the ignition when I try turning it off. So I have to turn on my on, put it in reverses and then turn my car off and take my keys out and then put my car back in park so I can get out of my car. This has been recalled in my type of car. The recall number is 16V502000 the recall date is 2016-07-05….. I’ve called the local Chevy dealer ship and they said that my Specific car is not covered under this recall even though it 100% has the problem and should be 100% covered. It’s wiper blades also have just gone out and that they are fixing under the recall and I also have the tire pressure sensor that’s messing up as well. All 3 things are recalled on Chevy equinox and it should be covered on mine as well.

NHTSA ID

11512449

Incident

Mar 14, 2023

I was driving my equinox coming up on a red traffic light. Upon pushing down on the brake pedal the radio shut off and the dash started flashing all of the lights very rapidly. The light turned green and i pushed on the accelerator, and there was little or no power and the car killed. I was in the intersection so I quickly put it in park and the car restarted, but had very little power. I was now on a slight incline so I barely made it into gas station and before I could park the car stalled again. Now the doors were locked and I could not unlock them. Did I mention I live in MN and the temp was -9 (31 below windchill) and I was stuck in my car. Horn, doors and windows would not work. It got very cold very quick! After trying and trying 15 min later the doors unlocked. I am 64 and disabled. A man gave me a jump and the car ran roughly without power for about 2 min. and died again. I called a friend who came and jumped the car. He left the cables on for 10 min. or so and had me try it. I was about 3/4 mile from home and he unhooked the cables and said "Go! Go!" so I raced toward home. He followed and a block before home the car killed again! He jumped it again and I got it home. The "service stabilitrack, front camera and all wheel drive" warning lights were all flashing in sequence as was the battery light on the dash and the "charging system" warning. I had the alternator and battery replaced, all fuses and connections checked, and all cables and terminals checked. It still will not hold a charge, and it is my only means of transportation. It is a VERY large paperweight! I see pages of complaints, yet there is no recall. If I was in a more secluded area I could have froze to death! Is that what it will take? Loss of life? Let me state that before this happened there was NO WARNING! No lights came up that there was a problem. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!

NHTSA ID

11499239

Incident

Dec 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil with the check engine warning light illuminated. The engine oil was topped off every month by the dealer. The contact was informed that the defect was related to the catalytic converter. The contact also stated that the power door locks and windows failed to operate as needed, causing the contact to be locked inside and outside of the vehicle at various times. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11479979

Incident

May 1, 2022

Having problems with the power locks not working, can't lock from the inside driver's door. Door chime goes off with keys out of ignition. Says theft is detected and now the car tries starting on its own without the keys in the ignition. The car has also been in park, the car made a loud noise and started rolling. Safety issue seems to be in the wiring. Who knows what this will effect next.

NHTSA ID

11475763

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

On dec. 29,2021 I started my car and while I was warming the engine(idle) the following lights came on: Engine,Break, ABS, TCS/StabiliTrak, Service All Wheel Drive, Service StabliTrak & all the gauges except the fuel were moving up & down. Also on the shifter the P was blinking. I turned the car off then sack on after a few seconds & it came on like normal I drove a few blocks made a stop in the corner store for a btl of water & when I got back into the car it wouldn’t start. When I turned the key to start it the dash would go completely dark when I’d let the key go the dash would come back on. Everything time I tried to start the car the dash would go out completely. I got the car towed to a repair shop but they were closed. When I went to the shop that morning I saw that they were closed Jan 1st. So I sat in the car & something said “try it” & the car started like nothing was wrong. I get 3 blocks and the same lights turn on again. I drive for 6 blocks to my parking space in my complex and park. I ended up having to move to let my wife out of the spot but the car wouldn’t start & the dash was doing the same thing from the night before so I put it in neutral and pushed it. Monday I walk to my parking spot & it starts up like nothing happened but the engine light was on so I drove to the mechanic. No lights came on just the engine light and the car has been with my mechanic since 1/1/22. After a few hours googling I found that this car fits the oil consumption issue. How do I go about getting this handled?

NHTSA ID

11446636

Incident

Dec 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while she was at the stop light, the vehicle temporarily stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact also stated that the ignition switch of the vehicle would not turn all the way to the locking position and would fail to release the key after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the rearview camera inadvertently turned black while reversing. The dealer was not notified of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and advised the contact that they could not assist with the repair of the vehicle because the VIN was included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11441602

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

When the alternator stopped working everything on the car locked. The doors locked, the steering wheel locked, the key wouldn't come out of the ignition, the windows wouldn't come up or down. I couldn't even physically pull up the door locks. If the driver's door hadn't been slightly open(I was attempting to back out of my driveway on a dirt road where the visibility is poor) I would have been trapped inside with no way to get out without busting the window. I didn't have my phone with me and I was by myself in a very isolated location and no one would have missed me for over 48 hours since my husband works out of state. The temperature here was in excess of 95° even after 4 pm and the vehicle was under no shade. I'm a disabled person also so I truly am scared of the vehicle now. There was no warning about the alternator failing. The car never even showed a warning light. Even after replacing the alternator the battery will not stay charged and now the seatbelt and Airbag warning lights refuse to turn off. The way everything locked up and the fact that I couldn't even physically pull up the lock and the hatchback in the back wouldn't even come open when I pulled the handle is extremely dangerous and concerning

NHTSA ID

11433391

Incident

Sep 8, 2021

Purchased a 2012 Chevrlet Equinox and a couple of months later had to start monitoring for oil comsumption.

NHTSA ID

11432639

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

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 putting the vehicle back in park.

NHTSA ID

11428062

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. WENT BLACK AND FUSES REPLACED STILL NO CAMERA VIEW. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND STILL NO CAMERA EVEN WHEN YOU PUT IN REVERSE. CAMERA DOESN'T COME ON..ITS JUST BLACK. I HAVE THE DISPLAY ON FOR CAMERA AS WELL STILL DON'T WORK

NHTSA ID

11378218

Incident

Dec 2, 2020

Mileage

190,200 mi

MULTIPLE TIMES, I WOULD CHECK MY OIL PREPARING FOR LONG DRIVES, AND I WOULD HAVE TO ADD A QUART OR 2 OF OIL BECAUSE THE DIPSTICK WAS DRY. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, FOX MOTOR'S NEGAUNEE, I WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD THEY WERE KNOWN FOR OIL CONSUMPTION. THE LAST TIME WE DROVE IT, WE WERE DRIVING IN MARQUETTE MI, WHEN STARTED TO SOUND AND RUN AS IF IT'S A DIESEL MOTOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AND RAN LIKE IT WAS AT HALF POWER. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY NO HIGHER THAN 35 MPH. WE DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE INTO SERVICE THEY DISCOVERED THE RINGS HAD FAILED, IT ONLY HAD JUST OVER 84,000 MILES, WAY TOO SOON TO HAVE A TIMING BELT FAILURE, OR AN ENGINE FAILURE. AT NO TIME DID THE DEALERSHIP MENTION GETTING OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AT OUR OIL CHANGES, WHEN THE CONSUMPTION WAS BROUGHT UP, NOR WERE WE ADVISED THERE WERE SERVICE BULLETINS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS NOT A RARE INSTANCE, BUT HAS BECOME A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE TO CONSUMERS GETTING THEIR MOTORS REBUILT ONLY TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE ANOTHER TIME.

NHTSA ID

11377775

Incident

Feb 9, 2020

Mileage

83,366 mi

I WAS OUT AND ABOUT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DESTINATION, TURNED OFF AS I DO BEFORE GOING IN TO ANY PLACE. I CAN OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MESSING WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IT STARTED. ACTED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT STANDED ME FOR ABOUT 45 MINS. NOW THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AND WHILE DRIVING IF I TURN TO THE RIGHT THE RADIO GOES OUT AND POWER STEERING CUTS OUT THEN ONCE OUT OF THE TURN IT WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TURNING, NOW IN EITHER DIRECTION THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

11362420

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

145,700 mi

IN GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY, NOTHING WHEN TURNING IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER WAITING A MINUTE, CAR STARTED. NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE OUT OF ORDER OR NOT IN CORRECT POSITION, SHIFT LEVER, BRAKES OR STEERING WHEEL. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. PURCHASED CAR USED IN DECEMBER 2019. THANKS

NHTSA ID

11352664

Incident

Aug 30, 2020

Mileage

88,155 mi

WHEN I LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE IGNITION IS OFF AND IN PARK. MY CAR SOMETIMES MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT IS TRYING TO START THE ENGINE/CAR OR CAR WITH THE CAR BEING OFF AND NO ONE SWITCHING THE KEY OVER. MAKING THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE ELECTRICAL FALIURE BUT HE WOULDNT BE SURE WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT...HOWEVER MY REMOTE START DOESNT WORK ANYMORE AND NIETHER DOES MY BLUETOOTH CAPABILITY.

NHTSA ID

11339039

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

VIN# MISMATCH TECHNICIAN REPORTS ECU/PCM CAN'T BE FLASHED AND IS ACTUALLY MISSING THE VIN NUMBER. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON AND CANNOT BE CLEARED. VEHICLE DRIVES AND OPERATES FINE. I HAVE NO MORE INFORMATION OR PROBABLE CAUSES.

NHTSA ID

11331504

Incident

Feb 22, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THE INTERSECTION I TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. MADE IT HOME AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR MY CAR RATTLES AND MORE SO WHEN IN REVERSE

NHTSA ID

11321785

Incident

Apr 9, 2020

Mileage

98 mi

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, THE RADIO GOES OFF AND READS 'LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TELEMATICS CONTROL MODULE'. DURING THIS TIME, THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING IN MOTION, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME BACK ON, BUT THE GAUGES ARE AT 0. THE RADIO TURNS OFF COMPLETELY, THE HEATING/AIR SHUTS OFF, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND MY HEADLIGHTS START TO FLICKER GOING ON AND OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. AFTER MINUTES, EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON, BUT LIKELY GOES OUT AGAIN. I'VE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN EVERY TRIP TO AND FROM. ALSO, I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CLOG MY MOTOR IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY, AND FIRST HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT METAL PIECES ARE RUBBING. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DOES NOT PROPERLY READ THE ACTUAL TIRE PRESSURE. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

NHTSA ID

11319714

Incident

Jun 6, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRAILER LIGHTING MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MODULITE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.*JS

NHTSA ID

11301997

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I WENT TO START MY EQUINOX WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I PUT IT IN THE IGNITION MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET. THEN THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER I HAD GONE OVER A LITTLE BUMP AND MY DASH STARTED SHOWING UP WITH WARNING LIGHTS SAYING 'SERVICE STABILIZ' AND 'ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OFF'.

NHTSA ID

11298452

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED GLITCHING AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE FLASHING AS WELL. FOLLOWING ALL OF THIS THE MOTOR SHUT DOWN AND I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN PARKED AND IF I GO TO START IT AGAIN IT BEGINS WITH THE WIPERS ACTING OWN THEIR OWN AND IF IT DOES START THE MOTOR RUNS VERY ROUGH AND STALLS WITH NO WARNING. ALSO WHILE ALL THIS IS HAPPENING THE THROTTLE PEDAL HAS NO RESPONSE TO THE MOTOR.

NHTSA ID

11270306

Incident

Oct 22, 2019

Mileage

89,000 mi