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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
87 serious complaints of 145, the most about engine (38) and stability control (20); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet captiva sport. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle seized. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2019
“When driving down street or even in a parked position the suv won't start. No lights, no audio. Cannot remove key. Unable to engage alarm. Radio on & off intermittently; triggered by using hazards, turn signals, hi-beams, cruise control.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the stability control, Mar 2019
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Impala; 2008, 2011-2012 MY… (GCUS-9-939, Sep 2015)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal;… (GCUS-9-1009, Oct 2015)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4l engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation. 14882 - special coverage. (14882, Mar 2015)
- Repair program This message was to inform dealers that bulletin 15806 was not released as scheduled on Monday, May 16, 2016. (GCUS-3-557, May 2016)
- Repair program 15806 - Customer Satisfaction Program - Under certain conditions, a software error could cause the odometer value in certain vehicles to increase a small amount (a fraction of a [mile/kilometer]) at startup. Dealers are to reprogram the IPC software. (GCUS-3-730, Oct 2016)
- Repair program 15806 - Customer Satisfaction Program (MY 09-10 Suspended) - Under certain conditions, a software error could cause the odometer value in certain vehicles to increase a small amount (a fraction of a [mile/kilometer]) at startup. Dealers are to reprogram the IPC software. (GCUS-3-734, Oct 2016)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
145 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 18–23 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Every Captiva year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl; 3.0L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD
2012 Captiva trims
| 1LS | 1LT | 2LS | 2LT |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | 3 of 5 | 0 | 14 | Electrical system (5) | No |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–23 mpg | 3 of 5 | 0 | 144 | Electrical system (61) | No |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–23 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 106 | Engine (55) | No |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–23 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 145 | Electrical system (89) | No |
| 2011 | — | — | — | Not rated | 1 | 1 | Power train (1) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Apple lists CarPlay for: Captiva 2020–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | 3 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | 3 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | 3 | No | No | 0 | 144 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | 3 | No | No | 0 | 144 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 106 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 106 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 145 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 145 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Captiva SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Captiva FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 23 |
| 2014 | Captiva AWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 18 |
| 2014 | Captiva FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
19–23 |
| 2013 | Captiva AWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 18 |
| 2013 | Captiva FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
19–23 |
| 2012 | Captiva AWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 18 |
| 2012 | Captiva FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
19–23 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.