2012 Chevrolet Equinox Suspension Problems

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

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear suspension trailing arm and subframe assembly rusted completely through, causing the suspension to separate from the frame. The corroded and broken components are still attached to the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The rusted frame and failed trailing arm caused the rear wheel alignment to shift dangerously, making the vehicle unstable and unsafe to drive. If the part had completely detached while driving, it could have caused a total loss of control and a serious accident, endangering the driver, passengers, and others on the road. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was visually inspected and confirmed by an independent repair facility, which advised that the frame is structurally compromised and the vehicle is unsafe to drive without major frame replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet by the manufacturer, but photos and documentation are available. The damage has been assessed by a certified mechanic who confirmed the severity and the safety hazard. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appeared. The issue was first noticed after hearing unusual noises and instability from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, severe frame rust and separation of the rear trailing arm were discovered.

NHTSA ID

11698293

Incident

Nov 4, 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

purchased this car in June 2024.didnt notice it was leaking oil until having oil changed.the mechanic said the engine was dry with not much oil.the mechanic told me the oil pan seal is bad.i checked and it doesn't take a gasket,and the oil pan must be removed and a sealant must be applied rather than a gasket form.this 2012 Chevy equinox ls ,and does not have a gasket form only the sealant.if the engine doesn't have oil the motor could lock up in traffic and cause accident.suspension is noisey like bushings are bad and need lubrication but no where to lubricate.

NHTSA ID

11634179

Incident

Jun 12, 2024

This vehicle is using insurmountable amount of engine oil.since I purchased the vehicle in 2024 I've had the oil changed once and twice the engine oil was down 3-4 quarts and when I started it,the engine was rattling because of oil disappearing.i purchased this nice looking car for.$5000.,so it's not junk to me it must be fixed.i think GM should be responsible for this problem.

NHTSA ID

11617371

Incident

Jun 20, 2024

The underbody of my 2012 Equinox is completely rusted and now not drivable. The KFrame is rotten and the car is not safe to drive. The engine consumes a great amount of oil. I've been told the engine needs to be replaced. I've only had the car for 2 years.

NHTSA ID

11612063

Incident

Sep 1, 2024

I own a 2012 Chevy equinox 2.4 eco-tech all wheel drive I purchased it three years ago and a little over 90,000 miles on it asked the dealer if it was part of the class action oil consumption lawsuit. They said they knew nothing about it Shortly after I purchased vehicle I noticed I was having to add to 4 quarts of oil every two months I saw oil puddles under my car and not sure where it was coming from. I have driven less than 10,000 miles in three years and have had my serpentine belt snap off due to excessive oil leakage , I have added myself to the class action lawsuit but I’ve heard nothing. I am still adding at least 3 quarts of oil a month and I don’t even drive 400 miles a month. I believe this is putting my life in Jeopardy and passengers in my car. There is never been a check oil light come on yet. I have checked my oil and it has been almost completely bone dry..

NHTSA ID

11607296

Incident

Nov 20, 2021

My 2012 chevy equinox lt had had nothing but issues with the timing chain the oil consumption where it hardly wants to start I have only had this used vehicle for 6 months or less I shouldn’t be having all these problems with it! The tailpipe isn’t smoking out white clouds but when you put your hand over it it leaves black oil gas smelling grunge on your hand! This is the second equinox I have owed in less than 1 year and it should not be costing me a fortune in repairs within a year even though it’s used makes no sense to me why chevy allows this to happen!!!

NHTSA ID

11522842

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE HAULING THE VEHICLE WITH A ROAD MASTER ALL TERRAIN TOW BAR, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD THE ROAD MASTER ALL TERRAIN TOW BAR INSPECTED AT AN UNKNOWN AUTHORIZED ROAD MASTER LOCATION AND THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS ALSO ALIGNED AT AN UNKNOWN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOW BAR WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'S ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE WOBBLING WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS A FOUR CYLINDER AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO BE UNSTABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11030361

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE STABILIZER BAR FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,091.

NHTSA ID

10837011

Incident

Feb 4, 2016

Mileage

104,091 mi

DRIVING BACK FROM EL PASO I FELT A SMALL VIBRATION 1/4 OF THE WAY ON A TRIP BACK FROM EL PASO TO PHX. THE VIBRATION BECAME STRONGER THE FARTHER I WENT. I CHECKED AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS SEPARATED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIRE THAT HAS SEPARATED IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE PREVIOUS WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10595290

Incident

May 21, 2014

Mileage

24,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD COLLAPSED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE ENGINEERS HAD DETERMINED THAT THE CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,391.

NHTSA ID

10555821

Incident

Nov 18, 2013

Mileage

16,391 mi