ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-CAPTIVA-SPORT NHTSA data synced 10 hours ago

2012 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Captiva Sport problems

2 active recall campaigns on file, no owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport — Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Chevrolet Captiva Sport

Reliability score

Not rated

No owner complaints on NHTSA yet, so the reliability score is provisional. 2 active recalls on file — read those first.

Critical

Severe

Moderate

Should you avoid this 2012 Captiva Sport?

Not enough data for a verdict

Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 2 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2012-chevrolet-captiva-sport/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2012-chevrolet-captiva-sport/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Buyer's checklist

Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.

Generated from this 2012 Captiva Sport's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.

See the checklist ->

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 12V301000 June 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

If the vehicle is on an uneven surface, this could result in unintended vehicle movement and a crash.

Fix: 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.

severe NHTSA 11V591000 December 19, 2011

General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet captiva vehicles manufactured from october 2, 2009, through april 21, 2011

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport reliable?

Limited NHTSA data. Only 0 owner complaints have been filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.

Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 2 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.

What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport a good used car to buy?

Hard to say from federal data alone — only 0 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Captiva Sport has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport?

Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 0 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Captiva Sport. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.