Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The trailing arm bracket rotten through the frame. This is due to premature rusting/rotting of the frame. Apparently Chevy has had this problem, every I spoke to kept saying "check with Chevy for recall" The dealer tried to fix the problem by (modifying the trailer arm? not sure what that means) but approximately two weeks later it went through the frame again. Took it back to dealer but they were unable to fix this problem and sent me on my way. It was a very good thing that while driving this vehicle nothing major happened. I found a body shop that tackled this and fixed the frame. It was very expensive and I feel Chevy should be responsible. I have attached pictures that the R&M Auto Body gave us.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rocker panel of the vehicle had been rusting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side outer and inner rocker panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
More than once while driving I have gotten power steering warnings while driving, vehicle locked up in the process and took all of my might to turn and get to the side of the road. I have constant oil changes and was issued a recall letter that the oil censor was off last May and the dealership said no such recall existed. Recently my mechanic says the timing is off, an engine power reduced warning has come up more than once and I have stopped driving the car all together for fear is stops with my children and myself in it. The first time it came on two weeks ago, I was at an incredibly busy intersection and could not go over 20 MPH, it was as if I was driving in neutral. I took myself and children straight to the mechanic. My mechanic has informed me that the amounts of repairs is more than the car May be worth. …
Airbag deployment system - airbag message came on car was parked and when I turned the car on husband message shows up and will not go away. . For no reason. The front bumper pops out also, for no reason and imthe plastic parts that hold it in place are broken and don't keep the bumper in place. And my car makes a weird rattling noise . And it stopped pick up up speed when I turn my ac on .but I don't know why it won't pick up speed . I didn't know I had a warranty at the time so when I called hey said they warranty had expired and this has been an issue since I bought the car . The ac started going out 2 and a half years after I bought it . The car will randomly jump , it feels like someone hit my vehicle but it will jump jump when I'm waiting at a red light and I think the compressor stopped working
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for an inspection, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The contact stated that the rocker panels detached from the vehicle. The contact was informed that the subframe could receive a temporary repair however, the repair would not fix the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall and also that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 134,515.
Doors on lower hem seam have the paint to popping off leaving bare metal to rust. Dealer will not repair under warranty. Contacted GM customer care claim #81571836632. They came back with me after talking to dealer for me to pay the dealer $300 for refinish doors. In Canada GM is repairing under warranty with service bulletin #15136b until May 2017. Why repair under warranty in Canada but not the USA. Vehicle is in michigan. Reported to dealer during July 2015, went back October 2015 to have dealer fix. Customer & dealer not willing to press GM warranty to cover repairs. Dealer stated he see them all the time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, the contact noticed that the entire frame and the undercarriage were fractured and had holes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (turner Buick GMC, 612 e main st, new holland, pa 17557) and the contact was informed that the repair would cost approximately $9,600. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that GMC refused to cover the expense. The approximate failure mileage was 59,559.
I have recently went to a garage for a simple oil change and to see if I could install a hitch kit. Come to find out the frame itself is rotting internally to externally. This stirred up some concern because I need an inspection come June of this year and it will not pass inspection due to the rot. My Chevy Equinox is only a 2012. Being that I've only personally had this vehicle for a year, and it is only 8 to 9 years old, I was informed that this kind of rot that exists is bad. I found this out just this past week.
On May 27th I was opening the lift gate to unload items. The car was off. I opened the lift gate using the button under the handle.the door opened fully. I reached in the car to remove luggage. The door closed quickly on my back and stopped just before pinning me in the door way. The door immediately opened a second time and I moved quickly out of the way. As soon as it opened fully,it slammed completely shut. I am still unable to use the lift gate safely.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While opening the door, the contact noticed rust on the seam of the interior and exterior of the driver side door. Upon further inspection, the contact witnessed the rust on all four door seams. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was rust on all four door hem flanges and the rust needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 21,556.
Body complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of the model year's 685 complaints. The component named most often is body (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Equinox body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Equinox body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.