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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

What owners actually said

80 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND SOMETHING IS CRACK1

NHTSA ODI #11142403

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

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE KEY CONTINUALLY GOTTEN STUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11124090

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

100,000 miles · Aug 21, 2018
Engine

STOPPED RUNNING SUDDENLY.I HAD DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE. SHUT IT OFF CAME BACK IN ABOUT 4 HOURS AND IT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE FOR REPAIRS...TIMING BELT BROKEN AT APPROX 100,000 MILE.

NHTSA ODI #11121263

93,053 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK AND WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND GO .IF YOU CAN GET CAR TO TURN OFF IT WON'TSTART BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #11112381

108,200 miles · Jun 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TRANSITIONING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM WOULD CAUSE RADIO AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS/DISPLAY TO GO OUT COMPLETELY. FIX PARKING BREAK AND ONBOARD EMISSIONS CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT WOULD GO ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL WEEKS, SOMETIMES FLICKERING AND OTHER TIMES STAYING ON FOR A FEW HOURS. DROVE CAR 1.5 HRS AND TU…

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TRANSITIONING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM WOULD CAUSE RADIO AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS/DISPLAY TO GO OUT COMPLETELY. FIX PARKING BREAK AND ONBOARD EMISSIONS CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT WOULD GO ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL WEEKS, SOMETIMES FLICKERING AND OTHER TIMES STAYING ON FOR A FEW HOURS. DROVE CAR 1.5 HRS AND TURNED OFF FOR 1/2 HR, WHEN CAME BACK IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. FEW MIN LATER IT STARTED. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WERE 18 ERROR CODES AND 1 WAS FOR ECM AND 1 FOR BCM. THEY REPLACED BOTH. CAR WAS 100% FINE FOR 6 DAYS. THEN, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF WHEN A CALL CAME IN OVER BLUETOOTH, RADIO AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLS AND DISPLAY WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL. VARIOUS DASH PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON SIGNIFYING REPAIRS NEEDED. A COUPLE TIMES CAR WOULDN'T START - WAS 100% DEAD - COULDN'T EVEN OPEN TRUNK, DOOR LOCKS OR GET LIGHTS TO COME ON. KEY WOULD BE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND I COULDN'T GET IT OUT. AFTER ABOUT 45 MIN POWER RANDOMLY TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI #11099377

89,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Power Train

APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE FRONT MAIN SEALS ON THE CAR WENT BAD DURING COLD WEATHER. ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE HAD NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES THAT THIS TIME MADE THE REAR MAIN SEALS GO BAD IN THIS CAR. THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY RUNS OUT 1/29/2018 I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 1/29/2013 ME BEING THE SECOND OWNER THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME. I PUR…

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APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE FRONT MAIN SEALS ON THE CAR WENT BAD DURING COLD WEATHER. ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE HAD NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES THAT THIS TIME MADE THE REAR MAIN SEALS GO BAD IN THIS CAR. THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY RUNS OUT 1/29/2018 I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 1/29/2013 ME BEING THE SECOND OWNER THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME. I PURCHASED WHAT WAS TO BE AN EXTENDED MECHANICAL WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, AND TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A GAP WARRANTY WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY USELESS TO ME THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED. THIS PROBLEM BEING COLD WEATHER RELATED YOUR HAVE RECALLED SEVERAL IN THE COLDER NORTHERN STATES. I AM ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THIS TO BE RECALLED IN MY STATE AS WELL. -15 AND -8 IS A VERY WET COLD FOR THIS ARE CAUSING CONDENSATION ON THE SEALS CAUSING THEM TO GO BAD SHOULD NOT BE MY FAULT BUT A MANUFACTURE FAULT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL CONSIDERATION FOR THIS. FOR THIS TO BE DONE IS A $1,439.00 DOLLAR VALUE, FOR A SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO OTHER INCOME IS VERY DIFFICULT AND A HARDSHIP TO MANAGE.SO I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11064940

61,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN COMPLETELY OFF AND THE KEYS WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. GM PUBLISHED A LETTER AND HAS FIXED OTHER VEHICLES, BUTSOME HAVE HAD TO PAY THE COST. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM, IT CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR MARE THAN A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11054150

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2017
Seats

THE OUTER FINISH PANEL BROKE AND NOW THE SEAT DOESN'T MOVE TO AJUST SO IT'S VERY HARD TO GET IN AND OUT .

NHTSA ODI #11053399

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.