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).
I bought my 2012 chevy equinox Lt 2.4L because I owed one just like it but a deer totaled it at only 10 mph! It been nothing but issues since I purchased it drove it off the lot the check engine light comes on and then I go to get it checked and it states that I have a permanent catylic converter code that no one can fix except gmc! When I idle at a stop for longer than 1 min it starts stuttering and jerking like it's gonna die! So I clean my throttle body like the mechanic said I should do and I found this dark brown whitish sludge in my pvc tube that runs up into the air box which now my air box is full of this gunk! I have to put oil into this vehicle every 3 days cause it will be full then three days later it's just a smidge above out on the dipstick! I am poor I can not afford huge repairs or replacement of yet another vehicle ! …
So I know of atleast 4 Chevrolet equinox's all haveing the exact same issue doesn't matter milage all in the same area which have a issue saying engine power system low then it starts to studder and often stalls out or then over revs and trys to take off like it's been slingshotted which is unsafe even after repairing many issues it is coming up as and nothing seems to fix said issue. Also timing jumping and after being professionally fixed it jumps timing again shortly after being repaired also milage doesn't seem to be a factor in this issue as I have 1 that has jumped timing with only 150k miles while the other days after timing was all repaired jumped timing again and it has like 200+k miles and I know of atleast 2 others in the area having the same exact issue.
Recently got an oil change, and in a month I've had to "top-off" my oil. Constantly have to make sure I carry a few quarts of oil to make sure my oil is filled. One day, I forgot to check the oil and my car was stalling on a busy road. Had to pull over to make sure I put the oil in there. Everyone that I've asked said they have the same issue. I stopped asking people after the 10th person. My uncle is a mechanic and he said the same thing about the oil. He said he wasn't sure where is goes but it just disappears.
Basically it has the recall for clogged cats and O2 sensors it has [redacted] my pistons I use quart oil every 100 miles I talked to customer service last night was told all ve fixed and I could have rental went to get it cause my car dies at every stop from not having right fuel mixture. Now they changed story . Lawsuit ?
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?
I purchased a 2012 Chevy Equinox in December 2016 every 4 months I have had to return to the dealer for problems with the engine. They have completed oil consumption test ..replace things and assured me the problem was gone. I told the dealer representative how I smelled gas and fumes and she stated there were no known recalls or defects with the vehicle. I have paid for several repairs at the dealer. As of now 6/6/18 vehicle is at the dealer for repairs regarding the engine stalling. Light on fumes . I am terrified that I will not be capable of taking off or accelerating when necessay. I have contacted Chevrolet be cause the initially sent me information regarding issues with the vehicle engine stalls and fumes. …
I have had multiple issues with the vehicle in question every since I drove it off the lot. The first signs of trouble started when the car would cut off in the middle of driving in busy traffic. Supposedly the dealer fixed the issue, not sure if that was true because it continued as time went on. Secondly I have had so many oil changes since the purchase of this vehicle and there is record of it: 3/2019,05/2019,07/2019,(johnny londoff Chevrolet up until 05/2020),05/2020,10/2020,11/2020,02/2021... And counting. The vehicle has a very high oil consumption and is bringing about more issues within the vehicle. Lastly but not least the sensors and other things are being damaged in the process. At this current time I am having "reduced energy" issues and I just received oil change and I'm being told I needed to add oil, but how when I just got a oil change. …
I have been having an issue with fumes coming into the cab of my vehicle through the front vents when set to defroster or circulating air from outside to inside through the vents. The fumes smell of gas or exhaust and are very noticeable when sitting still while engine is running. This is noticeable mainly when sitting still in vehicle with engine running. The smell is overwhelming. I have developed breathing problems since purchasing my vehicle. I have been newly diagnosed with asthma and am having to take breathing treatments. I had the first asthma attack in December 2019. I am also having problem with airbag light staying on. Wheel information is also incorrect. Information system May indicate the front passenger wheel pressure is low, when in fact the rear passenger tire pressure is low.
The timing chain snapped without any kind of warning causing extensive damage to the engine, I see recalls for this due to excessive oil consumption. I had the vehicle towed to Chevrolet and expected some type of assistance as there is only 68,000 miles on the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle at the ron westphal Chevrolet a salesman named robert ithier had sold us the vehicle introducing us to the former owner, we looked the vehicle over and had one of our mechanics check the vehicle and it seemed fine. Now that Chevrolet is not helping fix this problem we found out before we purchased the vehicle codes were cleared and an engine light was reset just before we purchased the vehicle. I feel cheated, robbed and conned from this dealership, I am still waiting for repairs to be performed
2012 chevorlet Equinox with 2.4l engine with 123,525 miles has many safety concerns. As a result of this specific engine, there are issues that affect the quality of safety. This vehicle has excessive oil consumption, needs frequent oil refilling (at least 1quart/weekly), and emits the smell of fumes and lingers when vehicle is on. I am not able to have the car on stopped at a stoplight or simply while in park without the overwhelming smell of fumes. This vehicle has completely shut off on two occasions: first, it shut off halfway up a ramp leading off from the highway and second, during a red light at a busy intersection. There were vehicles driving behind at both times. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, nor do I think it is safe to have others in the car.
Fuel System complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 8% of the model year's 685 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Equinox fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.