Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Periodically when driving, there will be an electrical issue involving various electrical components as follows: Service Traction Control warning message, radio goes out, dashboard warning lights flash on/off suddenly. Also, the car will appear completely dead/unresponsive can cannot be started. The key will get stuck in the ignition. This is currently the situation. These occurances can happen 3 to 5 times per week. We cannot identify a particular set of circumstances that creates the situation. It seems to happen randomly. Other owners of the Chevy Captiva have reported having similar problems. To fix the problem, I have separately had the Body Control Module replaced, replaced the battery and had a grounding wire replaced. The problem remains unresolved. Since this appears to be a common issue with the Chevy Captiva, I would like GM to investigate and propose a solution. …
The Chevy Captiva I have has been in multiple shops and NOBODY knows why it randomly has electrical problems and all the locks go on and off while driving and the RPM speeds up and slows down all by itself. The engine and transmission has been replaced among other things in the vehicle. This is a hazard to myself and anybody on the road. It has been to multiple mechanics in my city and not one person can figure out why the car does this. The engine misfires while driving and I've almost been in multiple wrecks because the car genuinely has a mind of its own! How many more times does this need to happen before a serious accident. This vehicle needs to be recalled before a serious accident happens at only the fault of a vehicle that should have been recalled years ago!
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that while in the vehicle, she noticed smoke filling the interior of the vehicle. Upon visual inspection, she noticed the smoke originating from a fire on the passenger side visor. The contact stated that she was able to extinguish the fire herself after removing the visor from the vehicle. A police or fire report was not filed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to provide a diagnosis as to the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired as the visor was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. When the failure occurred, the second visor light was blinking as the driver's side visor light was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle temperature gauge also increased. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed an additional failure with the exhaust manifold. …
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. The check engine and service traction warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that on various occasions she was unable to remove the key from the ignition after turning off the vehicle and that the power seat was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on various occasions, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for further diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was taken and towed to the local dealer on various occasions, where the failures could not be duplicated, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on various occasions, the vehicle stalled and then lost motive power. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after inserting the key into the ignition switch, the ignition switch would not turn, and the engine could not be started. Also, the key would remain stuck inside the ignition switch and could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to a local service center who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure continued to occur. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
UNKNOWN, several times between my husband or myself while driving down the road and on the interstate, the vehicle would just completely shut off no lights, no brakes no nothing. We purchased the vehicle used so we thought that it had something to do with some minor maintenance but this first occurred only after having the vehicle for two weeks. We've taken the vehicle back to where we purchased it, they could not find any issues with the vehicle and taken it to other locations with no luck on solving issue. The vehicle does not give any signs or warning when it will shut down while drive. Here recently when using the turn signals, switching on high beams, or even turning on the radio causes the vehicle shut down.
My Captiva did not want to start. The key was locked in the ignition. All the lights were off and there was no lights on the instrument panel. I disconnected the negative battery cable for a minute and then plugged it back on to the battery. When I went to open the door the horn started honking and all the lights came on. I deactivated the alarm with the remote on the key but accidently hit the lock button. I stated the vehicle and went to close the hood. But when I went to open the door the doors had locked and my vehicle was running. I had to break the window because my year old baby was in the car. My wife complained that the radio will some times turn off and the instrument lights will come on. One is the traction control need to be serviced and engine light will come on. Also the service light will turn on. Also the lights inside the vehicle will dim at times. …
I purchased the Captiva after my van was totaled, in feb 2017, problems started in April, car would die, everywhere, drs office, grocery store, driveways, library, restaurants, rain, snow, day or night. Could not take key out, gear froze in park, no electrical working at all, at 1st car would start after a while, then it would not, called aaa, no 1 could figure out what the problem was, I have spent $453.00 with no results, used up my free calls from aaa plus. Every mechanic had a different reason for the problem. Bought car at a carfax...they said they could do nothing....took car to Chevy dealer, they could do nothing as they had not sold that many captivas, would check it for $500.00. I wrote to Chevrolet to tell them of the problem, was told very nicely that it was my fault because I had not taken the car into a dealership sooner. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Captiva years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (60), 2012 (43), 2013 (31) and 2015 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Captiva electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Chevrolet Captiva model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Captiva electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (7 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.