2012 Chevrolet Captiva Reliability Score: 6.5 out of 10

145 NHTSA Complaints

2 Recalls

4 Fire Reports

2 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

6.5 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 45 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 34.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall45 complaints against about 34 for similar vehicles

6.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LFW - VVT. E85 Max. Aluminum.

3.0L 6-cyl

78 complaints 78.0 per year Gasoline

2 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

engine

other

steering

brakes

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Equinox (2010-2017)GMC Terrain (2010-2017)

LEA - Flex Fuel (Gas/Alc), Aluminum, High Output

2.4L 4-cyl

55 complaints 55.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

engine

fuel system

steering

other

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Equinox (2010-2017)CHEVROLET Caprice (2011-2017)GMC Terrain (2010-2017)CHEVROLET Traverse (2009-2017)

Chevrolet Captiva Unidentified Engine

12 complaints 12.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

steering

engine

exterior

other

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Captiva, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 92 owner complaints

Engine: 38 owner complaints

Steering: 12 owner complaints

Fuel System: 8 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva

On a used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (92), the engine (38) and the steering (12). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 92 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva about the engine, all engines combined.
Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva about the steering.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva about the fuel system, all engines combined.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva

Recalls (2)

12V301000Jun 28, 2012serious

Parking Brake

GENERAL MOTORS LLC (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 26, 2012, THROUGH MAY 17, 2012. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PARK BRAKE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "LIGHT VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PARK BRAKE CABLE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED IN ITS CONNECTOR AND MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PARK BRAKE WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE.

11V591000Dec 19, 2011serious

Steering

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE AND IN FIRST GEAR CAUSES THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO OPERATE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN IS TYPICAL. INCREASED PUMP SPEED GENERATES HEAT THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAN RESULT IN POWER STEERING FLUID TEMPERATURES THAT APPROACH THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIRÂS MELTING POINT.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

—

Side Crash

—

Rollover

4/5 (15.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

—

Side Crash

—

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

All Generations

20122012 20132013 20142014

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,030 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

4 engines / 109 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

3 engines / 36 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva complaints?

Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the steering.

Is the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva have?

NHTSA has 145 owner complaints on file for the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2012-2012 Chevrolet Captiva vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Captiva?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Captiva?

The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 145 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.