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2012 Chevrolet Captiva

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

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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

53 reports with mileage · 12 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

65 reports
57,497 miles · Jul 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND WE STARTED DRIVING AND THEN CAR IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE OUT, AND WE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AGAIN. THEN AFTER WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR IT STOPPED AND LOCKED UP ALL THE DOORS KEYS NOTHING WORKED AS WE WERE DRIVING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE POLICE AND TO…

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THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND WE STARTED DRIVING AND THEN CAR IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE OUT, AND WE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AGAIN. THEN AFTER WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR IT STOPPED AND LOCKED UP ALL THE DOORS KEYS NOTHING WORKED AS WE WERE DRIVING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE POLICE AND TOW TRUCK WERE CALLED AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER GOT THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND HE GOT THE VEHICLE TO START AGAIN. THEN WE DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION AND IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AGAIN WHEN WE WERE ENTERING THE GAS STATION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 4 DAYS UNTIL IT DID ALL THIS WHILE DRIVING. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT CAME FROM. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 DAYS FROM THE 15TH OF JULY WENT THE TOW TRUCK BROUGHT IT THERE UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WAS OK TO COME PICK THE VEHICLE BACK UP ON JULY 20TH. THEY EXPLAIN TO US THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AS TO WHY THIS ALL HAPPENED. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10887612

45,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

THE CAR WILL NOT START, KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WE HAVE JUMPED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS GOOD, HAD IT CHECKED. 4TH TIME SINCE THE START OF 2016. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO, POWER , I CAN'T EVEN GET THE INDOOR LIGHTS ON. IT IS GOING BACK TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR WAS S…

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THE CAR WILL NOT START, KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. WE HAVE JUMPED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS GOOD, HAD IT CHECKED. 4TH TIME SINCE THE START OF 2016. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO, POWER , I CAN'T EVEN GET THE INDOOR LIGHTS ON. IT IS GOING BACK TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, (IN MY CAR PORT).

NHTSA ODI #10885919

70,938 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY. IN MARCH THE RADIO STARTED GOING OFF AND ON SOMETIMES WHEN BLINKER IS TURNED ON SOMETIMES NOT. TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. ONE DAY JUST STARTED ACTING LIKE BATTERY WAS GOING DEAD. TURNED IT OFF COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF EGNITION. HAD IT TOLLED TO CHEVY SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY. 400.00 HUND…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY. IN MARCH THE RADIO STARTED GOING OFF AND ON SOMETIMES WHEN BLINKER IS TURNED ON SOMETIMES NOT. TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. ONE DAY JUST STARTED ACTING LIKE BATTERY WAS GOING DEAD. TURNED IT OFF COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF EGNITION. HAD IT TOLLED TO CHEVY SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY. 400.00 HUNDRED FOR THAT TRIP .THAT WAS THE 4TH TIME IN SHOP IN TWO MONTHES. THIS IS THE THIRD BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. HAD IT REPLACED IN APRIL. IT STARTED THE SAME THING LAST WEEK RADIO, LIGHTS GO DIM, TONIGHT GET HOME AGAIN KEY STUCK IN EGNITION. THE SAME THINGS I HAVE READ ABOUT HAPPENING TO OTHER CAPTIVA . MY HUSBAND READ ON OTHER SITE TO MOVE ELECTION SEATS UP AND DOWN AND KEY WOULD COME OUT HE TRIED IT AND IT WORKED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP MORE THEN I HAVE DROVE IT. I BOUGHT THE EXTRA WARRANTY BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. ONE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE THE BATTERY CABLE IN WHICH THE EXTRA WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER COST FOR CABLE IS 600.00. JUST SPENT 400.00 ON BATTERY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WISH I WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT CONSUMER REVEIWS. 13,00.00 DOLLAR MISTAKE. BACK IN THE SHOP AND DEPENDING ON A RIDE AGAIN! OH AND EXTRA WARRANTY NOT WORTH IT STILL HAD TO PAY TO HAVE CAR TOLLED TO SHOP ,AND TO HAVE IT ANALYSISED. SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10872874

64,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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…

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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. MY WIFE ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON HER AND SHUT OFF ON HER ONCE. SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE CHURCH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED ON HER. I HAVE READ FORUMS AND CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF OTHER CAPTIVA SUV'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONES SUGGESTING THAT ITS THE BATTERY CABLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM IF THESE VEHICLES START TO STALL ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. REGARDS [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ODI #10870717

45,000 miles · Mar 1, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH AN OCCUPANT PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH AN OCCUPANT PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10839143

50,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Power Train

THIS CAR IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DRIVING STEADY BETWEEN 30-45MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS HAVING PROBLEMS. DURING SLOW SPEED DRIVING SUCH AS A TRAFFIC JAM < 20MPH THE CAR WILL JERK INTO GEARS. DURING SLOW SPEEDS OF ABOUT 10MPH IF I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR LAGS, NOSEDIVES A LITTLE, AND THEN…

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THIS CAR IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DRIVING STEADY BETWEEN 30-45MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS HAVING PROBLEMS. DURING SLOW SPEED DRIVING SUCH AS A TRAFFIC JAM < 20MPH THE CAR WILL JERK INTO GEARS. DURING SLOW SPEEDS OF ABOUT 10MPH IF I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR LAGS, NOSEDIVES A LITTLE, AND THEN TAKES OFF. GENERALLY SHIFTING IS VERY JERKY.

NHTSA ODI #10789747

50,490 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING, GOING AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY 684 TOWARDS WHITE PLAINS, NY. HEARD A VERY LOUD SOUND, RAISED MY EYES SLIGHTLY UPWARD TO THE RIGHT TO DISCOVER MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. SOME OF IT FELL INTO THE CAR LEAVING A HOLE . THE GLASS REMAINING, LOOKED AS THOUGH THERE WAS A PRESSURE BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS…

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I WAS DRIVING, GOING AROUND 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY 684 TOWARDS WHITE PLAINS, NY. HEARD A VERY LOUD SOUND, RAISED MY EYES SLIGHTLY UPWARD TO THE RIGHT TO DISCOVER MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. SOME OF IT FELL INTO THE CAR LEAVING A HOLE . THE GLASS REMAINING, LOOKED AS THOUGH THERE WAS A PRESSURE BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS RAISED TOWARDS THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I NOW WORRIED THAT ONCE I GET THE ROOF REPAIRED, THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. LUCKILY, THE GLASS THAT FELL INTO THE CAR DID NOT COME DOWN ON MY HEAD, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10779919

50,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS SKID LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS SKID LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10749589

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 30 MPH, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION AS TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS IN ORDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 30 MPH, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION AS TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO START AS THE THEFT ALARM INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A THEFT MODULE MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10749278

48,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE FUSES, AND THE RADIO WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10746853

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.