2012 Chevy Captiva Sport Review
Price: $7,990

Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$147/mo for Captiva Sport 1LS Fleet
Captiva Sport 1LS Fleet
vs
$159/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#21 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$542/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
0.93x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
14.7%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
Chevrolet Captiva Sport Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Stay Away From GM Vehicles!
3 out of 5 starsCheryl Glazier, 04/16/2018
2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport 1LS Fleet 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
I bought this used with about 42,000 miles. I traded my Jeep Liberty (LOVED that vehicle but it was time to go) and was so happy to find an SUV I could afford. The acceleration was always bothersome but my mechanic said everything was good...running it on ECO Boost helped a lot. The 22MPG average was not the best but whatever. I had my oil changed regularly...regular maintenance done … always at the same place. He's been my mechanic for many years and I trust him. At 98,900 miles I went in for an oil change because I was going out of town the next weekend. I asked them to listen to it because I was hearing a ticking from the engine. When I picked it up my mechanic told me the heads had to be done! After barley 3000 miles...it had lost most of the oil! I asked if I could drive it awhile...he said yes but watch the oil...and don't go too far. 150 miles later it crapped out on me...in the car wash!!! I managed to limp it back to my mechanic and the timing chain had jumped and the whole engine needed to be replaced. Now that is bad enough...99,000 miles..really GM????? To add insult to injury...there are no 2.4L engines available for this car...in the United States! The replaced the crate engine (new...3 year 100,000 miles) for $2800 with a remanufactured engine that will cost me $5000...for just the engine!!!!! I am livid...the car's retail value is only about $8500. You fail GM...you fail BIG TIME!!! I am done with you and your crappy cars forever.
Poor performing V-6
3 out of 5 starsMatt McGhee, 05/15/2018
2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport LTZ Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
If you like the looks of this vehicle, look for a lower mileage Saturn Vue with the 3.6 engine. the 3.0 in this vehicle is an under performing, gas sucking DOG!!!! The transmission shifts way too much and it never seems to be in the correct gear. I like the comfort and small stature, but the performance is not worth it.
Front Wheels want to Fly Off
2 out of 5 starsSally Chapman, 03/22/2016
2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport 1LS Fleet 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
Front Wheel Bearings go out quickly !!! Left front bearing went out at 38,000 miles, again at 47,000 miles and we are now at 62,000 miles and waiting for it to go again. When talking to the dealer mechanic, he says this is a problem with this model. I have had cars with 300,000 miles and never replaced a wheel bearing. The transmission slips once in while, sometimes shifts up to high … causing the engine to lug down and vibrate, or takes an excessive amount of time to shift causing engine to race. Engine idle is rough at times up and down from 200 to 500 RPMs. The rear window washer does not stop running when rear window defroster is used. Unless you shut everything off, it will empty the windshield washer tank of the solvent. Took it to the dealer and had some improvement but never resolved. My foot is so big that sometimes when I step on the brake pedal I depress the gas pedal at the same time, never had that problem with the many vehicles that I have had in the past. I can see this causing an accident for the elderly or even myself, if not careful about it. The comfort of this vehicle is poor when traveling more than an hour. I would never buy this model again !!!
Do Not Buy This Car!
1 out of 5 starsPat Neal, 11/15/2015
2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport LTZ Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
We had this car for two years. First year, the alternator went out. Then the USB port shorted out and we had the dealer unhook it rather than replace it. Then, when you turned on the turn signal, the radio stopped for a few second sand the cruise control quit. Then it progressed to the radio cutting out when yoy put on the breaks. Of course, it did not do it when the dealer looked at … it. Finally, the mechanic replaced the BCM, at a charge of $500,00,and said he didn't know if that would fix the problem. We left on vacation the next week. It started doing the same thing. In New Hampshire, we took it again to a Chevy dealer, who put it on the computer and said rhat the BCM was fried. He said that he suspected the wiring harness was bad and he could replace or start running codes and it might take a week to find the problem. Either one would cost several thousand dollars. We thought we would just drive it home but the engine started cutting out when driving. c At that point, we said to heck with it and traded it in, taking a loss since it was no where near paid for. But we wanted no part of that lemon any more. I have read many reviews since then and many people have had the same problem.
2012 Captiva Sport Highlights
1LS Fleet
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $23,435 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $147/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 29.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Captiva Sport include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover18.5%
Related Used 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Ford Transit Passenger Van 2020 Review
- Chevrolet Equinox 2020 Review
- BMW 5 Series 2020 Review
- Volvo V60 Cross Country 2020 Review
- Volvo V60 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Chevrolet Captiva Sport 2012
- Used Chevrolet Captiva Sport 2013
- Used Chevrolet Captiva Sport 2014
- Used Chevrolet Captiva Sport 2015
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS News
- 2024 Cayenne Coupe
- Audi RS Q8 2024
- Cadillac Escalade ESV 2024
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe 2025
- New Ford Escape
- New GMC Sierra 1500
- 2026 INFINITI JX News
- Kia Ev3
Research other models of Chevrolet
- 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- 2024 Chevrolet Blazer
- New Chevrolet Equinox
- 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV
- New Chevrolet Corvette
- 2025 Silverado 2500HD
- 2024 Corvette Stingray
- 2025 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Series
- New Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used BMW 6-Series in Jefferson City, MO 2018
- Used Lexus Is-300 in Vienna, VA 2023
- Used Toyota Sienna in Alexander City, AL 2025
- New Nissan Frontier for Sale in Clarkston, MI
- Used Lamborghini Urus in Latham, NY 2026
- Used BMW X5-M in Morgan Hill, CA 2026
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe in Benton, AR 2025
- Used Toyota Gr-Supra in Moline, IL 2026
- Used Toyota Highlander in Valley View, TX 2025
- Used Porsche Cayenne in Blacksburg, VA 2025