2012 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2012 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Equinox | 2012 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 682 | 822 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,845 | 88 |
| Investigations | 3 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–26 | 19–23 |
| Median reported mileage | 82,000 mi | 70,050 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 354 | 79 |
| Steering | 36 | 357 |
| Structure | 26 | 142 |
| Power Train | 84 | 55 |
| Electrical System | 69 | 63 |
| Visibility/wiper | 121 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 54 | 27 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 26 | 19 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Oil consumption | 135 | 0 |
| Stalling | 105 | 41 |
| Check engine light | 67 | 16 |
| Vibration / shaking | 28 | 15 |
| Clunking / rattling | 26 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 25 | 11 |
| Hesitation / surging | 18 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 16 | 53 |
2012 Chevrolet Equinox
2012 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.