Body problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

19 problems related to body have been reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox based on all problems reported for the 2012 Equinox.

1 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/26/2021

The trailing arm bracket rotten through the frame. This is due to premature rusting/rotting of the frame. Apparently chevy has had this problem, every I spoke to kept saying "check with chevy for recall" the dealer tried to fix the problem by (modifying the trailer arm? not sure what that means) but approximately two weeks later it went through the frame again. Took it back to dealer but they were unable to fix this problem and sent me on my way. It was a very good thing that while driving this vehicle nothing major happened. I found a body shop that tackled this and fixed the frame. It was very expensive and I feel chevy should be responsible. I have attached pictures that the r&m auto body gave us.

2 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2021

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rocker panel of the vehicle had been rusting. The vehicle was taking to an independent mechanic , where is was diagnosed with driver and passenger side outer and inner rocker panel needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage is 98,000.

3 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/26/2021

I purchased the vehicle from a dealership in lexington ky 6k and under. I had to change the breaks and I was unable to jack the car up. After taking it to the auto shop the frame and rocker panels are rusted out. The vehicle was made in canada and I seen there was a recall on the vehicle. It is dangerous to drive because the frame is weak. What should I do and is the recall still valid?.

4 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/27/2020

I have recently went to a garage for a simple oil change and to see if I could install a hitch kit. Come to find out the frame itself is rotting internally to externally. This stirred up some concern because I need an inspection come June of this year and it will not pass inspection due to the rot. My chevy Equinox is only a 2012. Being that I've only personally had this vehicle for a year, and it is only 8 to 9 years old, I was informed that this kind of rot that exists is bad. I found this out just this past week.

5 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/20/2018

More than once while driving I have gotten power steering warnings while driving, vehicle locked up in the process and took all of my might to turn and get to the side of the road. I have constant oil changes and was issued a recall letter that the oil censor was off last may and the dealership said no such recall existed. Recently my mechanic says the timing is off, an engine power reduced warning has come up more than once and I have stopped driving the car all together for fear is stops with my children and myself in it. The first time it came on two weeks ago, I was at an incredibly busy intersection and could not go over 20 mph, it was as if I was driving in neutral. I took myself and children straight to the mechanic. My mechanic has informed me that the amounts of repairs is more than the car may be worth. I see several complaints with issues matching my own and Chevrolet has done nothing. My screen randomly goes out, the radio goes out, the oil censor has stopped coming on, engine lights comes on and off. My radiator was recently replaced as it was rusted and overheating the car. A car this age should not have this many issues. They must lie in the manufacturing process.

6 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/28/2018

Inside door panel showing rust on all 4 doors, some more than others. Coming from bottom where skins clip onto door frame. Should not happen on a 6 year old car.

7 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/17/2017

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken for oil change, noticed that the entire frame and the undercarriage was fractured and had holes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer turner Buick GMC located at 612 e main st, new holland, PA 17557 where the dealer informed the contact that the repair will cost about $ 9600. 00. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 866-790-5600 and was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the GMC refused to cover the expense. The approximate failure mileage was 59,559. Sj.

8 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2017

On may 27th I was opening the lift gate to unload items. The car was off. I opened the lift gate using the button under the handle. The door opened fully. I reached in the car to remove luggage. The door closed quickly on my back and stopped just before pinning me in the door way. The door immediately opened a second time and I moved quickly out of the way. As soon as it opened fully,it slammed completely shut. I am still unable to use the lift gate safely.

9 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2017

Airbag deployment system - airbag message came on car was parked and when I turned the car on husband message shows up and will not go away. . For no reason. The front bumper pops out also, for no reason and imthe plastic parts that hold it in place are broken and don't keep the bumper in place. And my car makes a weird rattling noise . And it stopped pick up up speed when I turn my ac on . But I don't know why it won't pick up speed . I didn't know I had a warranty at the time so when I called hey said they warranty had expired and this has been an issue since I bought the car . The ac started going out 2 and a half years after I bought it . The car will randomly jump , it feels like someone hit my vehicle but it will jump jump when I'm waiting at a red light and I think the compressor stopped working.

10 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/02/2016

Contacted chevy/gm for my doors rusting out on the bottom seams, the local dealer said gm would not cover the warranty because the rusting is "not through" the metal, what do they want! a vehicle with holes in the doors!!! how "safe" is that gm!??? this veteran does not understand a public taxpayer bailout and this is how they want the vehicle that you own to be!??? shame on gm and Chevrolet!!!!!!!!!.

11 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/14/2016

The front windshield side pillars are so wide near the side mirrors that it causes a foot wide blind spot which has caused me to be in an accident and almost several other accidents. I have heard that I am not the only one who has had a problem with this. This blind spot caused me to hit a pole while turning and pulling out of a parking area.

12 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/29/2016

My inside doors are rusting from the inside. We were smelling a musty smell and just dismissed it until we looked at the bottom of all doors that are rusting from the inside. I believe that the seals are defective on the doors which allows water to sit.

13 Body problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2015

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the bottom of the doors was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who stated that it was a known issue with that make and model. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

14 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/22/2013

We were sitting still at train crossing when we were struck from the rear and was shoved forward 8-10 feet into the car in front of us. The car is a total loss. With all of the rear and front damage, none of the airbags were deployed. Also, both front seats broke loose from the seat brackets that hold the seats to the floor. My wife (passenger seat) not only broke loose but the seat twisted.

15 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/27/2013

I was pulling into a parking lot at an angle to the curb with my foot on the brake and all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated causing it to jump the curb and hit a tree near the curb causing causing over $6000 worth of damage.

16 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2013

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the tire pressure monitoring system failed as the contact rotated the tires. The system failed to notify of any pressure issues with the tires. The dealer advised the contact that the tires needed to be rotated again to correct the tire monitoring failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was 28,000. Kmj.

17 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2012

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side doors were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

18 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2012

The doors on my chevy Equinox are rusting/ bubbling out along the bottom seam, it is not moving!!!.

19 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/02/2012

Four different times the rear hatch was open and has unexpectedly come down and hit people in the back. No buttons have been pushed to start this action. One time the hatch raised unexpectedly. The chevy dealer has studied the problem and replaced two parts which did not solve the problem. The dealer says they cannot get more information from gm central on solving the problem. A person with a gm terrain had the same problem during the time I have had my Equinox problem. I believe he is in philadelpha, but I have found him only by an internet name of "phillythekid" and don't know if his SUV got fixed. I believe there must be a gm engineer who designed the hatch system, (which is terribly complicated), and this person could solve the problem. There are several control boxes involved, and numerous interlocks. But no one can reach this person through Chevrolet dealers and customer assistance people, and that amazes me. The only reason I find for such a firewall is that gm doesn't want to spend time and money on a problem that is numbered in tens, not thousands. They would just as soon we few people go away and buy another brand. I can find seven instances of unexpected hatch actions on the net that are from various gm suvs. The gm dealers have found nothing in their gm sites. I want my car fixed so no one will be hurt.


Other Structure related problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox


Safety Ratings of Equinox Cars
Fuel Economy of Equinox Vehicles
Equinox Service Bulletins
Equinox Safety Recalls
Equinox Defect Investigations