VehicleVerdict

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 134 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 10.3 times the median Captiva Sport year — the 2012 model ranks #1 of 3 Captiva Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 44% of all reports (59 of 134), far ahead of engine at 22.

134

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Captiva Sport years?

Captiva Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted134 complaints2012: 134 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 9 complaints
Captiva Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Captiva Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5944%
Engine2216%
Other1410%
Steering97%
Brakes64%
Airbags54%
Fuel System43%
Speed Control43%
Lighting43%
Transmission43%
Seats11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V301000BrakesJune 28, 2012 · 2,070 units

Defect

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

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.

11V591000SteeringDecember 19, 2011 · 3,150 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“LOSS OF POWER DURING STEERING - STEERING NOT STABLE - STALL OF ENGINE WHEN TURNING A CURVE. CAUSED MINOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 31, 2019 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that while his engine was off, the vehicle had caught fire and burned out on its own. The contact discovered the failure upon the entrance of the vehicle and saw smoke within the cabin. The vehicle would not start and was towed to the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2021 · fire

“The battery cables are faulty and overheat causing the car to shut off and lock key in the ignition with complete loss of power this is happening to nearly every Chevy captiva and is a wide spread issue this is also a serious fire hazard as the cables over heating is enough to boil water car shuts…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 10, 2023

“LOSS OF POWER DURING STEERING - STEERING NOT STABLE - STALL OF ENGINE WHEN TURNING A CURVE. CAUSED MINOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 31, 2019 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT OFF WHEN THE BLINKER WAS ACTIVATED, WHICH DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 20, 2015

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport — common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 134 complaints put the 2012 model at #1 of 3 Captiva Sport years. It is one of the Captiva Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Captiva Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (59 complaints), engine (22 complaints), other (14 complaints).

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Captiva Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Captiva Sport years to avoid are 2012. The cleanest record among Captiva Sport years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.