RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
36
Latest Dec 4, 2025
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.
5%
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 the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 36 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 4, 2025

ABS stabilizer light on dash shows ABS malfunction.took it to certified mechanic to check the problem and was told the system had to be replaced at the cost of $4000.

NHTSA ID
11703120
Incident
Mar 20, 2025
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
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2022

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 Manufacturer POOR DESIGNing. This problem while driving in traffic is Concerning. Is there any remedy? [email protected] August 18,2022 Thank You B A Parry

NHTSA ID
11480062
Incident
Aug 13, 2022
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2021

Sterring wheel harden and wheels to moving

NHTSA ID
11433560
Incident
Sep 13, 2021
Steering
Filed Nov 24, 2020

WHEN IN-MOTION AT MY POWER STEERING FAILS, THE WHEEL SEEMS TO GRAB AND MY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS MOMENTARILY NOT IN MY CONTROL. IT HAPPENS ON STRAIGHT AWAYS AND MOST OFTEN IN SLOW SPEED TURNS. MY CONCERNS ARE THE INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT HAPPENS IN BUSY TRAFFIC AND ON WET & ICED ROADWAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE LAST 1000PLUS MILES AND MY SERVICE POWER STEERING NOTICE HAS FLASHED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. I AM SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE TODAY.

NHTSA ID
11376088
Incident
Nov 23, 2020
Mileage
180,105 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 2, 2020

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
Steering
Filed Sep 17, 2020

WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS MORNING AND NOTICE THE CAR SAID TO 'SERVICE POWER STEERING'. AFTER RESEARCHING THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2010 - 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX POWER STEERING AS THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ISSUES REPORTED OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11355521
Incident
Sep 17, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 29, 2020

DRIVING NORMALLY ABOUT 35 MPH ON SUBURBAN ROAD WHEN DASHBOARD SUDDENLY INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING." THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTANCE AND WAS STRENUOUS, EVEN DANGEROUSLY RESISTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEEDING TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ARRIVED HOME AND CHECK THE POWER STEERING FUSE, WHICH WAS OKAY. NEXT DAY STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL POWER-ASSIST AND DASHBOARD INDICATOR MESSAGE WAS GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11331497
Incident
Feb 2, 2020
Mileage
109,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 5, 2019

VEHICLE WILL STOP WHILE DRIVING, SITTING AT LIGHT, AND DRIVEWAY.. I HAVE TO CONTINUE PUTTING OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE OR ROLL WINDOWS UP. DOESN'T WANT TO START NOW.

NHTSA ID
11218020
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Mileage
112,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 1, 2019

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 3/29/2019 AND ON 4/1/2019 FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS SUUSEPTABLE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING ENGINE TO WEAR OUT AND COULD STOP RUNNING ON THE ROAD MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO THAT THE STEERING CAUSES RESISTANCE TO STEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES CAUSING A HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD. AM I INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS?

NHTSA ID
11193139
Incident
Mar 29, 2019
Mileage
153,340 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Nov 21, 2018

THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL AND THE GAS PEDAL OCCASIONALLY STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET DOWNTOWN IN A CITY AND THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11153148
Incident
Nov 10, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2018

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE SOON.WHEN I GO TO TURN ON IGNITION CAR WONT START OR EVEN TURN OVER.

NHTSA ID
11121304
Incident
Aug 20, 2018
Mileage
94,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 27, 2018

THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND HE STATED THAT THE CAR ISN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK EITHER BECAUSE THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PUSHED IN WHILE THE CAR IS TURN OFF AND IN PARK.

NHTSA ID
11104182
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Steering
Filed Mar 17, 2018

RUBBING SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED. DEALER DIAGNOSE IT AS LOW SPEED SHUDDER AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE THAT WILL LAST. VERY ANNOYING SOUND AND I AM VERY UNCONFORTABLE DRIVING WITH THIS.

NHTSA ID
11079905
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
45,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 20, 2018

I PURCHASED A 2012 GM EQUINOX ON SEPT. 6, 2017 SEPT 9 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS LOW ON OIL ' WE ADDED OIL SEPT 13 I HAD A TIRE CLAIM DUE TO TIRES BEING 'DRY ROTTED' PER DEALERSHIP. OCT 19 CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY, STALLING ' STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND MY 8 YEAR OLD DISABLED DAUGHTER. HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME. WHEN CHECKED VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO OIL IN IT AGAIN. OCT 29 ' BRINGING DISABLED DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CHECKED AND THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN IT. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD OIL TO VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE JUST TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T BREAK DOWN TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. WE DID THIS EVERY MONDAY JUST AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR. FEB 6 ' EVEN AFTER KEEPING OIL IN VEHICLE WEEKLY MY CAR WOULDN'T START THIS MORNING. CHECKED OIL ETC. IT FINALLY STARTED UP LATER THAT DAY AND I WENT TO GET MY STEP DAUGHTERS. WHEN WE GOT READY TO LEAVE AND TRIED TO CRANK CAR IT MADE A LOUD WHINY KIND OF SOUND AND IT SMELLED LIKE WIRES OR SOMETHING BURNING. STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER AGAIN AND I COULDN'T REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T CRANK BACK. CALLED SOMEONE TO COME. THEY CHECKED BATTERY, FUSES, ETC. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR WHERE IT WAS OVERNIGHT BELIEVING IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. FEB 7 ' MECHANIC WAS CALLED TO CHECK CAR. REAR MAIN SEALED WAS BUSTED, TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND SEVERELY DAMAGED ENTIRE MOTOR. ENTIRE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SHOT AND HAD NUMEROUS BROKEN PIECES! I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THIS AND DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH DETAILS VERY SIMILAR TO MY OWN AND END RESULTS THE SAME AS MY OWN.

NHTSA ID
11073888
Incident
Feb 7, 2018
Mileage
82,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL WITH MY CHILDREN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ID
11073642
Incident
Feb 17, 2018
Mileage
72,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 11, 2017

FIRST ONE WEEK AGO, THE CAR WAS SLOW TO TURN ON WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LITE UP WITH THE MESSAGE CHECK POWER STEERING. TONIGHT 8/11/17 THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, BUT IT STILL HAS A WORKING HORN, LIGHTS. AND RADIO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE STABILTRACK MESSAGE, ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER AND BACK, AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE ELECTRIC PANEL ARE ON. ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON.

NHTSA ID
11014771
Incident
Aug 11, 2017
Mileage
21,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 2, 2017

WHILE TOWING 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTOR HOME...TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON I-75 IN TENNESSEE WITHIN 100 MILES OF THE TENNESSEE GEORGIA BORDER I HIT A VERY ROUGH PATCH OF THE INTERSTATE GOING 64 MPH. MY 2012 4 CYLINDER CHEVROLET EQUINOX STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE MY MOTORHOME, WHEN I GLANCED AT MY REARVIEW MONITOR THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR WAS WHIPPING BACK AND FORTH. FORCING ME TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE OUTSIDE BERM, THIS WAS AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, SO I WAS LUCKY. WHEN MY SPEED DROPPED TO 5 TO 10 MPH IT STOPPED AND IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER SOME THOUGHT THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED AND AROUND THE PART OF I-75 NORTH BOUND ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID
10970021
Incident
Mar 23, 2017
Mileage
49,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2017

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN APRIL 2016, I GOT A ERROR READING LAST NIGHT SAYING SERVICE YOUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ID
10955473
Incident
Feb 18, 2016
Mileage
114,555 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jan 3, 2017

TIRE PRESSURE( EVERY WEEK NEED AIR PRESSURE),POWER STEERING( LIGHT ON SAY CHECK) , COD#P0010 (ING LIGHT ON) ING OFF ALONE...

NHTSA ID
10939291
Incident
Dec 19, 2016
Mileage
33,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2016

ON 3/31/15, CHEVY DEALER THAT SOLD US THE CAR REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR SUBJECT TO BULLETIN 14232, BECAUSE WE GOT A LETTER FROM GM ADVISING US TO GET IT DONE. ON 10/17/16, POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN ON CITY STREET, CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND NEAR MISS. THE POWER STEERING FROZE UP, AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. ON 10/18/16, THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AT THIS TIME TO THE SAME DEALER. ON 10/25/16, DEALER RETURNED CAR TO US UN-REPAIRED, SAYING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A NEW ONE. THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR $400. WE TOLD THE DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR THAT IS CURRENTLY FAILING, AND THAT THERE IS A TEN YEAR NON-WARRANTY WINDOW ON THIS TYPE OF SAFETY REPAIR. ON 10/26/16 WE CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN. THEY GOT BACK TO US ON 10/27/16 AND OFFERED TO FIX THE CAR FOR $400. THIS IS A DANGEROUS IF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO GM, AND THEY ARE OBLIGED TO FIX IT. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER CASE (NHTSA ID #10689932) OF STEERING FAILING AFTER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT PURSUANT TO BULLETIN 14232.

NHTSA ID
10919921
Incident
Oct 17, 2016
Mileage
66,770 mi
Body & structureSteeringVisibility
Filed Sep 21, 2016

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SIDE PILLARS ARE SO WIDE NEAR THE SIDE MIRRORS THAT IT CAUSES A FOOT WIDE BLIND SPOT WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST SEVERAL OTHER ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS. THIS BLIND SPOT CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE WHILE TURNING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING AREA.

NHTSA ID
10908351
Incident
Aug 14, 2016
Mileage
31,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 19, 2016

FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WHILE TOWING VEHICLE 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTORHOME. LOCK UP OCCURRED TWICE, ONCE WHILE TURNING ON CORNER ENTERING I40 AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING OVER BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR ON UNEVEN LANE SURFACE ON I40.

NHTSA ID
10860237
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
39,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Jan 5, 2016
1 injury reported

WHEN OPENING THE STORAGE IN THE FRONT SEAT THE LIGHT BURNS SO HOT THAT IT BURNS THE RIGHT HIP/LEG OF THE DRIVER BADLY. STEERING MAKES A SUPER LOUD RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT THAT DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEEM TO FIX.

NHTSA ID
10818275
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
25,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Feb 23, 2015

AFTER 36K MILES, THE CAR STEERING WOULD STICK AND SLIP. PA DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE AS THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEED 65MPH. BUT, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REPORT ABOUT STEERING STICKING/SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND CAME BACK AFTER 36K MORE MILES ON THE NEW STEERING RACK. CAR IS AT VA DEALER TODAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS I MOVED. CAR ALSO HESITATES AND JERKS BACK WHEN ACCELERATING AND HAS DONE THAT SINCE A YEAR AFTER OWNED VEHICLE. LOVE THE CAR DESIGN BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER STEERING. AT TIMES STEERING FEELS LOOSE CAR HAS SLIPPED ON ICE AND CANNOT CONTROL STEERING. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FEEL THE STEERING DESIGN IS POOR. STEERING RACK DESIGN IS A SIMPLE CONCEPT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10689932
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
36,000 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.

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