2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (39% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought my car used a year ago. I had this same issue about 8 months ago for a short time but now it keeps happening everything I turn my ignition key off. My key won't come out it gets stuck on the ACC, I think that's what it's called, its been about 7 or 8 weeks now but its getting worse. And when I was trying to turn my car off and get my key out my car started roll backwards, this has happened 2 times in the last 10 days. I have 2012 chevrolet captiva. Has there been any recalls regarding this issue?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“My shifter doesn't recognize that its in park and won't let me remove my keys. It gets stuck on ACC and I can't turn my key/ignition to the off position. And for the 3rd time it's like popped outta gear. I bought it used. This started 2 months ago but for the 10 days its continually gotten worse. 8 outta 10 times I go to put it in park and I can't get key out. I haven't had it inspected or looked or anything else like that. I Googled it and i read up on how this is an issue for 2012 to 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. But no recall for 2012 year. I don't know what time do. There was no accidents regarding this issue.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2026
“The component that has failed has been the transmission and the AC. My safety was at risk because the car wouldn't drive forward whilst on the road. It has been confirmed by independent service. Yes the problem has been inspected by representatives. There was a warning that was said "Check transmission engine"”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2023
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“On my 2012 CHEVEROLET captiva LT .I HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AN I WENT TO OPEN MY GATES THE CAR JUMPS OUT OF THE PARKING BRAKES IF THE ENGINE IDLES GO UP JUST A LITTLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMES ON .OR IF YOU ARE IN DRIVE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES UP AND JUST REVS THE ENGINE THE BRAKES JUMPS OUT REALLY EASY. NO SAFETY TO THIS EMERGENCY BRAKES.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2023
“Unknown, car will shut off while driving and turn back on while flashing service traction control. In some cases it will completely turn off and I will have to put transmission in park and re crank it in the middle of traffic. Power steering goes out while driving aswell as other issues. Locks go in and out while driving. No known cause to this as battery and alternator is good and I've replaced BCM and reprogrammed it but still having the same issue”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2023
“While driving on an interstate, the voltage suddenly began to decrease. Within a few minutes, the car died on the highway. we were able to get it to the shoulder. No electrical equipment worked, including the emergency lights. After taking it to a garage, the mechanic said the alternator was working fine, but the battery was drained. He was able to start and run the car, but the computer indicated that a long-term memory issue with the computer, itself, was indicated. Also, previous to this, the transmission had to be rebuilt. Maybe DumDum should declare that all Americans made vehicles are presumed to be defective, and subject to a recall!”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2023
“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 off and locks key in ignition without warning”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2023
“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!”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2022
“Key gets locked in the ignition. Always not sometimes all the time. Just purchased this vehicle is parked and cant drive it without leaving the key inside”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“While driving - or even sitting still - radio and clock will shut off, "service stabilitrack light" illuminates on dash with the message showing on the message center dash display. After 5 seconds or so, it disappears; however occurs often but no consistent (sometimes none at all, some times 4 or so times in a 20mi drive). Battery and alternator are brand new (alternator has been replaced twice in 12 months). Vehicle is owned outright and has 142,000+ miles.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Check your exact Captiva Sport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport. The most complained-about area is electrical system (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.