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2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson

Complaint Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport has 132 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 132 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

45 34.1%

ENGINE

22 16.7%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

13 9.8%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

12 9.1%

STEERING

8 6.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 34.1% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 18 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport has 132 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 34% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (45), ENGINE (22), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 91 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2011 Captiva Sport complaints2013 Captiva Sport complaints2014 Captiva Sport complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 18 of 18 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

45 Reports34% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I BOUGHT THE SUV IN DEC. 2013. SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. EACH TIME I HAD THE BATTERY BOOST AND THE CAR STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO MUNDAY CHEVERLOT. CHEVY AUTO MECHANICS AND OTHERS HAVE SAID MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN THE SUV DOES NOT START I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. I TRY TO START THE CARS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY AND I CANNOT. THE KEY SWITCH WILL NOT GO TO THE LOCK POSITION THEREFORE I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY OR WHAT TO DO WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR

4/8/2014

I HAD THE EXACT SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS PERSON. TWICE NOW, WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH, THE RADIO WOULD GO DEAD AND ALL KINDS OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD COME ON. CAR MADE IT TO THE HOUSE. COULD NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER ABOUT 15 / 20 MINS, THE CAR WOULD START AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES, BUT THEY LOOKED AT ME AS IF I WERE CRAZY. THEY KEPT CAR FOR A WEEK AT A TIME AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY WERE AS STUMPED AS ME. GOOD TO HEAR THAT MY CAR ISN'T THE ONLY ONE TO DO THIS. IT'S BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE THE LAST INCIDENT. HOPEFULLY IT HAS GONE AWAY. *TR

9/1/2014

43 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

22 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

6/3/2018

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.

8/21/2018

20 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

13 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TAKATA RECALL-I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA LS IN MARCH 2013. ON JUNE 20, THE CAR WENT ON A TRIP TO BRANSON, MO.WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AC STARTED BLOWING DRY VAPOR FROM THE VENTS-NO COLD AIR. ALSO THE LIGHT FOR THE SHIFTING GEARS P,N,R &D WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP. NO PROB. FOUND. THEN ON JULY 6, 2014,THE CAR WENT TO WISCONSIN. I HAD THE CAR N SHOP ON JULY 2 BEFORE THE TRIP TO MAKE SURE THAT AC WAS WORKING GOOD. THEY SAID THAT THEY FOUND NO PROB. WHILE ON THE TRIP THE AC DID THE SAME THING-NO AC & THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON TO B SERVICED. THEN ON APRIL 2016, THE CAR WENT TO FLORIDA. THE AC ACTED UP AGAIN- DRY VAPORS FROM AC VENTS & NO COOL AIR. THE DRIVER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD & SAW THAT THE ALUM. PIPE TO THE AC HAD ICE ON IT. THE AC HAD FROZEN UP. HE ALSO SAID THAT WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RPMS ARE HIGHER THAN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN TOWN OR WITHIN 30 MIN. ON HIGHWAY SO THE AC PROB. DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE DRIVER IS A MECHANIC. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 18, 2016 TO MAKE AN APPT. TO GET THEM TO FIX THE AC. ALSO THE DASH LIGHT COMES ON TO SAY SERVICE THE AIR BAG. HOPEFULLY IT WILL B FIXED THIS TIME, THE 3RD TIME! AS OF THIS DATE, I HAVE NO APPT.

4/19/2016

UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. NORMALLY YOU HAVE TO RUN THROUGH THE GEARS SEVERAL TIMES OR RESTART. NOW IT'S MUCH HARDER AND TAKES LONGER TO GET THE KEY OUT. ALSO, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WE REPLACED A THE BATTERY AND STILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON, STABILITY-TRACK LIGHT COMES ON, A/C GOES ON AND OFF AND BLINKERS, CRUISE AND ALL DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS RADIO GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN THIS GOT REALLY BAD, I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED TO RESET AND WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS BUT STARTED AGAIN. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO BUT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO

7/31/2017

11 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

12 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITY TRACK INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

8/11/2014

KEY STICKS IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT WHEN IN PARK. AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT EVEN SHUT OFF. IGNITION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LESS THAN 3,000 MILES AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION UNLESS YOU RESTART THE CAR. HAVE MOVED THE SHIFTER AND STEERING WHEEL AND PUSHED THE KEY IN AS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP. STILL NOT WORKING. ALSO, STABLITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP AND BUCK. DEALERSHIP ADVISED TO TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL, BUT WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE CAR IS JERKING, YOU CANNOT DEACTIVATE. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS AN ENGINE MISFIRE PROBLEM BUT NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TAKING CAR APART TO FIX.

1/23/2016

10 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

8 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

KEY STICKS IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT WHEN IN PARK. AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT EVEN SHUT OFF. . KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION UNLESS YOU RESTART THE CAR. HAVE MOVED THE SHIFTER AND STEERING WHEEL AND PUSHED THE KEY IN AS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP. STILL NO

4/1/2016

ONCE YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE THE KEY STAYS IN ACC AND DOES NOT COME OUT OF STEERING WHEEL COLUMB. SO YOU HAVE TO UNPLUG BATTERY IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR ALONG TIME OR YOUR BATTERY WILL GO DEAD.

9/21/2016

6 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

5 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. THE CONTACTS STATED THAT WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE PARKING BRAKE, ABS, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,862.

12/10/2014

STABILITY CONTROL AND BREAK WARNING CONSTANTLY..HAD BREAKS COMPLETELY REPAIRED TWICE WITHIN THE 2 YEARS OF PURCHASING IT..ONLY HAS 160,000 MILES. LIGHTING WIRING ISSUE MALFUNCTION.

11/4/2020

3 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

5 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR 8 MILES THEN SWITCHED OFF. I WAS DOING APPROX 68 MPH WHEN IT CAME ON, TURNED OFF WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AT 50 FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION. HAD JUST PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER THAT MORNING AFTER HAVING A REAR AXLE BOOT/SHAFT SOMETHING LIKE THAT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.

5/28/2015

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT READING "OFF" WITH PASSENGER (130LBS+). HISTORY OF EVENTS THAT STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM: OCT 3/14: WILLS CHEVROLET(GRIMSBY 37,255KM. VEHICLE BROUGHT IN, NO CODES FOUND. TOLD NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNLESS THEY SEE IT. OCT 16/14: LEGGET CHEV(BURLINGTON) 38,734KM. REPLACED FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MODULE ***AS OF JUNE18 THIS PART HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED A SECOND TIME AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS*** DEC 8/14: LEGGET CHEV 42,541KM. REPLACED FRONT PASSENGER BELT BUCKLE APR 15/15: LEGGET CHEV. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SAME ISSUE, TOLD I DO NOT WEIGH ENOUGH (130LBS) AND SHOULD MAYBE SIT IN THE BACK SEAT, OR I AM NOT SITTING IN SEAT CORRECTLY. MAY 11/15: LEGGET CHEV 53,055KM. SAME ISSUE WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAPPEND WITH MY HUSBAND IN THE SEAT (200LBS). REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CAR WAS HIT @ DEALER. JUNE 6/15: ISSUE PERSISTS *I AM PREGNANT AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE* .UPDATED 07-16-15 *BF UPDATED 10/25/2017*CN

6/18/2015

3 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

4 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

1/25/2018

GM HAS A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSED MINE.BASICALLY OIL IS BYPASSED IN LARGE VOLUME TO THE ENGINE INTAKE BECAUSE THE PASSAGES ARE UNDERSIZED FOR PCV SYSTEM. THIS IS SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 14882 BY GM. PCV VALVE REPLACED AND PASSAGES ENLARGED

1/21/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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!!!

8/26/2018

GM HAS A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSED MINE.BASICALLY OIL IS BYPASSED IN LARGE VOLUME TO THE ENGINE INTAKE BECAUSE THE PASSAGES ARE UNDERSIZED FOR PCV SYSTEM. THIS IS SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 14882 BY GM. PCV VALVE REPLACED AND PASSAGES ENLARGED

1/21/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

9/20/2018

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WILL NOT START AFTER TURNING OFF. 3RD TIME

9/12/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

9/23/2019

Engine light came on lost compressions. Engine wouldn't turn off. Steering was loose like we were on water. Traction control and stabilitrac were disabled and unable to turn bsvjninuiHas to press breaks to the floor. If I was going any faster I could have lost control. The repair shop replaced the fuse box and Bcm not even 3 miles engine light came back on and it misfires, pistons problems, compression. I called the dealership I bought it from and they state it's safe!

4/19/2022

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE SUN VISOR HIT HER IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SUN VISOR BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

12/24/2013

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITY TRACK INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

8/11/2014

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

12/28/2015

PARKING BRAKE

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

12/28/2015

SEATS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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

12/8/2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED THE KEY FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOWSER CHEVROLET OF MONROEVILLE (1600 GOLDEN MILE HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

4/24/2020

WHEELS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO CHEVY AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OR THE RADIO. EVERY SO OFTEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND STATES THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS TO BE SERVICED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IDLE FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS. WHEN THAT COMES ON THE RADIO BLINKS ON AND OFF. IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THE VEHICLE HAD TO GET JUMPED TWICE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET TESTED AT TWO DIFFERENT AUTO STORES AND WAS ADVISED AFTER THEY TESTED THE BATTERY THAT THE BATTERY WAS GOOD. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT YET IT IS ON THE BRINK OF NOT WORKING EVERY OTHER DAY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO GO UP A SMALL HILL AFTER THE SNOW HAD FALLEN. I HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

12/27/2020

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

The most reported complaint category for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 45 owner reports. That is about 34% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 91 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport severe?

91 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Chevrolet Captiva Sport: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
132
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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