2012 Chevrolet Captiva problems & reliability
65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 43 | 66% |
| Engine → | 16 | 25% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 8 | 12% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 12% |
| Power Train | 5 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 13 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 53 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 60,000 miles (middle 50% between 49,900 and 84,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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.”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Dec 5, 2019
“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.”
Unknown OR Other · filed Jun 20, 2019
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Jun 18, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
1,022 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva. The 10 most recent:
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 19, 2026
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2025
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902T · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 14, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 9, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 60,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.