Model year record
2012 Chevrolet Captiva recalls & problems
The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 65 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (43 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 15.9% |
2012 Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 18.5% |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Captiva FWD
| City / highway | 20 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Captiva FWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Captiva AWD
| City / highway | 16 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables; Starter assembly | 43 | 58,000 mi |
| Engine | 16 | 87,390 mi |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 55,000 mi |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 8 | 64,000 mi |
| Power train | 5 | 49,000 mi |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 58,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 55,000 mi |
| Air bags | 3 | 49,900 mi |
| Exterior lightingTurn signal | 3 | 84,000 mi |
| Steering | 3 | 74,000 mi |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Parking brake | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine
GOING DOWN ROAD AT 70MPH AND VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO 40MPH ON ITS OWN AND I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.
- Unknown or other
THE VEHICLE IS LIGHTWEIGHT TO THE POINT WHERE HIGH WINDS PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. YOU CAN FEEL THE WIND MOVING IT AND FEEL THE CAR MOVE A LOT WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS NEXT TO IT.
- Electrical system › Ignition
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO EJECT THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND MANUEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *JS
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
- Service brakes
THE E-BRAKE COMES ON BY ITS SELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. CHECKED AGAINEST VIN AND STATED NOT ON RECALL LIST BUT OTHERS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME THING.
- Engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. HAD IT TESTED AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. DID THAT DROVE IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON TESTED IT AGAIN AND GOT THE SAME READING CONCERNING BANK 1 CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. WAS TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE CAMSHAFT BUT THE READING STILL COMES UP THE SAME IN BANK 1. IS THIS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS IT UNDER SOME KIND OF WARRANTY. HAVE ONLY 104200 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE.
- Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THREE QUARTS OF OIL WERE ADDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED BEFORE EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CALLED HEALEY CHEVROLET BUICK (LOCATED AT 5216 NY-17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958, (845) 360-9821) AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
- Electrical system
ONE DAY MY HEAT AND AIR MODULE JUST QUIT WORKING AND THE DASH BOARD READS -40 FOR THE OUTSIDE TEMP. SO NOW THERE IS NO HEAT NO DEFROST OR AIR.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.