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2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

22 reports
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76,000 miles · May 28, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineInjury

AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING, THE VEHICLE AT THE STORE. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LOOSES ALL POWER AND WILL NOT START AND THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. KEYS WILL LOCK IN THE IGNITION, REMOTE START DEPROGRAMS, THE CAR HAS NO POWER. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IS EXTREMELY HOT AND SECOND-DEGREE BURNS ARE ON HAND WHEN TOUCHED. REPLACED BAT…

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AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING, THE VEHICLE AT THE STORE. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LOOSES ALL POWER AND WILL NOT START AND THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. KEYS WILL LOCK IN THE IGNITION, REMOTE START DEPROGRAMS, THE CAR HAS NO POWER. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IS EXTREMELY HOT AND SECOND-DEGREE BURNS ARE ON HAND WHEN TOUCHED. REPLACED BATTERY, POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, AND 1 WEEK LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. NO PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR. NO LOOSE WIRES AND THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE FROM A JUMP. NO POWER TO THE CAR AND YOU ARE STRANDED FOR HOURS WAITING FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO COOL DOWN. AFTER HOURS OF WAITING THE CAR STARTS UP WITH NO PROBLEM, BUT WILL DO THE SAME THING AGAIN WHEN TURNED OFF. NOTHING IS LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE POWER FROM THE CAR. THIS IS HAPPENING CONSTANTLY AFTER DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326400

54,500 miles · May 15, 2020
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 60 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. STEW HANSEN HYUNDAI (11344 HICKMAN RD, CLIVE, IA 50325, 888-426-6396) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 60 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. STEW HANSEN HYUNDAI (11344 HICKMAN RD, CLIVE, IA 50325, 888-426-6396) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OTHER OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,500.

NHTSA ODI #11324652

70,000 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOBILE CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2900 GOVERNMENT BLVD, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251) 545-4291), BUT THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOBILE CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2900 GOVERNMENT BLVD, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251) 545-4291), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11286903

124,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

STALLED, SLOWED SPEED, STOPPED. WILL NOT RESTART

NHTSA ODI #11257333

90,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Engine

THE CAR HAS LEAKAGE AND COOLANT PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AFTER A LITTLE WHILE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11252980

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MANY TIMES THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING. OIL AND BATTERY ARE GOOD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE NOW SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP OR SENSOR CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE. I AM TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC THIS WEEK. CURRENTLY NOT DRIVEABLE. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR. GREAT LOOK ON THE OUT…

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MANY TIMES THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING. OIL AND BATTERY ARE GOOD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE NOW SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A FUEL PUMP OR SENSOR CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE. I AM TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC THIS WEEK. CURRENTLY NOT DRIVEABLE. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR. GREAT LOOK ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IT BEING A GENERAL MOTORS CAR, THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THIS BY NOW. I WILL DO MY BEST TO FILE COMPLAINTS AND SUBMIT PROOF. NOT A DURABLE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11207145

93,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Engine

A LITTLE OVER 93000 MILES AND THE ENGINE BLOWS. OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED LESS THEN 200 MILES BEFORE

NHTSA ODI #11174616

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

GM HAS A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSED MINE.BASICALLY OIL IS BYPASSED IN LARGE VOLUME TO THE ENGINE INTAKE BECAUSE THE PASSAGES ARE UNDERSIZED FOR PCV SYSTEM. THIS IS SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 14882 BY GM. PCV VALVE REPLACED AND PASSAGES ENLARGED

NHTSA ODI #11171193

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

RADIO WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE LIGHT AND CHIMES, WOULD GO OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD DIM OUT VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT STAY ON HOWEVER WAS ABLE TO GET AUTO STORE TO PULL CODES WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP ADVISED TO REPLACE BATTERY AND KEY FOB …

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RADIO WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE LIGHT AND CHIMES, WOULD GO OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD DIM OUT VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT STAY ON HOWEVER WAS ABLE TO GET AUTO STORE TO PULL CODES WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP ADVISED TO REPLACE BATTERY AND KEY FOB AS ONE CODE HAD TO DO WITH VEHICLE THINKING WRONG KEY WAS USED. REPLACED BATTERY AND KEY FOBS SEEMED TO BE OKAY FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN TODAY WHEN PUTTING WINDOW DOWN TO GET MAIL THE RADIO TURNED OFF, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROLS LIGHTS STARTED GOING OFF AGAIN AND AIR BLOWER CUT OUT (THIS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN PARK) NOTICED WHEN THIS WAS HAPPENING THAT VOLTAGE ON BATTERY WOULD DROP. TOOK TO AUTO STORE AND THEY CHECKED BATTERY IT WAS FINE. BUT WHEN AIR WAS ON AND WINDOW WOULD BE PUT DOWN IT WOULD RECREATE THE SAME PROBLEM (VEHICLE WAS IN PARK). AUTO STORE SAID COULD BE A SHORT. AFTER TESTING BATTERY AND IT WAS GOOD THE AIR WAS TURNED OFF AND WINDOW BEING PUT DOWN WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY ISSUES. ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN AIR WAS ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE TYPES OFF ELECTRICAL OCCURRENCES FOR THIS VEHICLE TYPE. ALSO HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH A SURGE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. HAD DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION AND POWER TRAIN THINGS LOOKED AT FROM DEALERSHIP THAT HAVE IMPROVED IT BUT NOT FULLY CORRECTED. SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN EVEN A LITTLE BETTER AFTER BATTERY REPLACED BUT STILL OCCURS TO THE POINT WHERE IT SHIFTS HARD AND SURGES THE CAR FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI #11130502

90,000 miles · Aug 26, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

KILLS ON HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN OFF IN ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN IT DO KILLS, NO INDICATOR, RADIO SWITCHES LIKE IT'S GOING CRAZY SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AND WEEKS, I'VE BROUGHT 3 BATTERIES SINCE MARCH 10,2017 WHEN I STARTED FINANCING THIS VEHICLE, REPLACED BATTERY CABLES AND P…

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KILLS ON HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN OFF IN ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN IT DO KILLS, NO INDICATOR, RADIO SWITCHES LIKE IT'S GOING CRAZY SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AND WEEKS, I'VE BROUGHT 3 BATTERIES SINCE MARCH 10,2017 WHEN I STARTED FINANCING THIS VEHICLE, REPLACED BATTERY CABLES AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING, ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND NOW GIVING TROUBLE AGAIN, SOMETHING IS MAKING THE PRESSURE IN MY TIRES EXTREMELY LOW, LIGHTS DIM, DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERING, INSIDE LIGHTS COMES ON SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN ON THIS VEHICLE, WHEN STATIONARY VEHICLE IDLES AND HESITANT, WHEN IN MOTION VEHICLE IDILES, HESITANT, MISSES, AND KILLS. ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE IDLES, MISSED, SHAKY, HESITANT , AND KILLS WITH NO INDICATION VERY DANGEROUS AFRAID MY KIDS AND I WILL LOSE OUR LIFE IN THIS VEHICLE!!! WHEN TURNING VEHICLE IS HESITANT, SOMETIMES LOSE POWER, AND MISSES. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO PASS 45 MPH, WHEN TAKING OFF VEHICLE IDLES SO HIGH AND LOUD, RADIO DISPLAYS DEVICE NOT SUPPORTED WHEN NOTHING IS PLUGGED UP, RADIO TIME ALWAYS RESETS WHEN THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT DEPENDABLE AND VERY DANGEROUS!!! ALL THESE DEFECTS ARE REOCCURRING ISSUES AND PROBLEMS. THIS IS SCARY, I WOULD'VE NEVER FINANCED THIS VEHICLE, NEVER, HOWEVER I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY DEALER SHIP ALLOWED THIS PIECE OF CRAP AT THEIR YARD AND ALLOWED ME TO GET THIS VEHICLE, I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE SAVINGS REPAIRING THINGS ON THIS VEHICLE ONLY FOR IT REOCCUR IN NO TIME, I NEED A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE IS ALL I'M ASKING, IF I DON'T WORK MY FAMILY WON'T EAT, THEN WE'LL END UP HOMELESS PLEASE HELP!!! RECALL THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND/OR MAKE IT RIGHT!!!

NHTSA ODI #11122386

Official recalls

2

12V301000 · Parking Brake

Jun 28, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE PARK BRAKE CABLES ARE CONNECTED AND SECURE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

11V591000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

Dec 19, 2011

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 RESERVOIR’S MELTING POINT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED FLUID TEMPERATURES, THE RESERVOIR MAY LEAK. LEAKING FLUID, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION, FREE OF CHARGE. AN ADVISORY LETTER TO CUSTOMERS, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 2012. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER ASKING CUSTOMER TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. GM ANTICIPATES PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.