140 of the
465 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Captiva
are about the electrical system —
30% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
The Chevy Captiva I have has been in multiple shops and NOBODY knows why it randomly has electrical problems and all the locks go on and off while driving and the RPM speeds up and slows down all by itself. The engine and transmission has been replaced among other things in the vehicle. This is a hazard to myself and anybody on the road. It has been to multiple mechanics in my city and not one person can figure out why the car does this. The engine misfires while driving and I’ve almost been in multiple wrecks because the car genuinely has a mind of its own! How many more times does this need to happen before a serious accident. This vehicle needs to be recalled before a serious accident happens at only the fault of a vehicle that should have been recalled years ago!
NHTSA complaint #11644946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Around July or August 2020 I started having problems with not being able to hear the turn signal when I used it. The lights for the radio display would randomly dim or randomly return to full strength depending on whether I hit a bump on the road. There was also a "frying eggs" sound after I turned off the ignition. When I took the 2015 Captiva to Yemm Auto Group in Galesburg, IL, they said they could not replicate the problem and could not locate any additional electrical issues. When I took it in to Billion Auto in Iowa City, IA, they also said they could not replicate the problem and could not locate any additional electrical issues. Since then I took it to an independent auto repair shop (Car Care Center, Macomb, IL). While they were able to replace the battery cables and the turn signal sound has not disappeared since then, I am still having issues with the random radio display dimming and "frying eggs" sound. I asked Yemm and Billion Auto if I needed to replace the car radio to solve the problem. They discouraged me from doing so because car radios for this vehicle are difficult to find and expensive. I was past the initial 5-year warranty for the vehicle, but I didn't understand why a replacement care radio should be so difficult to find. Anyway, this concerns me because it suggests 1) 2015 Captiva radios have been replaced frequently due to faulty manufacturing, and that's why I was being discouraged from seeking out a replacement and 2) with the turn signal sound coming out of the radio speaker, a driver is not going to know if s/he accidentally left a signal on for too long or not long enough while driving, increasing the possibility of vehicle accidents and/or fatalities. If a turn signal is going to come out of the radio speakers for a particular vehicle model, and a company should find consistent problems with radio speakers on a particular vehicle model, shouldn't the company recall the radios for safety? Sorry, don't have my service receipts any more.
NHTSA complaint #11567488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that while in the vehicle, she noticed smoke filling the interior of the vehicle. Upon visual inspection, she noticed the smoke originating from a fire on the passenger side visor. The contact stated that she was able to extinguish the fire herself after removing the visor from the vehicle. A police or fire report was not filed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to provide a diagnosis as to the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired as the visor was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. When the failure occurred, the second visor light was blinking as the driver's side visor light was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle temperature gauge also increased. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed an additional failure with the exhaust manifold. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number 15V879000 (Electrical System, Interior Lighting), but the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 134,742.
NHTSA complaint #11539471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Key will lock in ignition and vehicle will not start. Happens intermittently. Battery is fine, alternator is fine, dealership replaced ignition when purchased which helped for about a year, but the problem continues to become more frequent. Rattling the battery fixes the problem, but only temporarily.
NHTSA complaint #11517065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. The check engine and service traction warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that on various occasions she was unable to remove the key from the ignition after turning off the vehicle and that the power seat was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on various occasions, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for further diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was taken and towed to the local dealer on various occasions, where the failures could not be duplicated, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on various occasions, the vehicle stalled and then lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the dealer on several occasions, where it was diagnosed that the Central Body Control Modules (BCMs) remote key housing and the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,123.
NHTSA complaint #11516921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Electrical system dies unexpectedly. Stabilitrac system alert lights up and car starts shifting like crazy. All warning lights flash and door locks and dome lights start flashing. This happens even when driving on the highway. Very dangerous and needs to be addressed immediately.
NHTSA complaint #11494028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Continus electric drop causing different systems to lose power, fail, or temporarly disable including but not limited to traction control, emergency break, radio and lights. After researching the problem in various forums I noted many owners facing the same problem over various years with no clear solution.
NHTSA complaint #11477573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2014 Chevrolet Captiva on Friday July 8th 2022, The sun visor catch on fire from the passenger seat. The reasons still are unknown. The issue could be ending in a disaster and I have to claim this problem as fast as I can
NHTSA complaint #11473116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the road without warning. The driver could not get out of the vehicle due to a vehicle not having power. The police department was contacted and a tow truck was sent to the scene. The tow driver was able to unlock a door and the driver was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery terminal had defective and needed to be replaced. The terminal cable was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11453649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The key keeps getting stuck in the ignition once the car is off. This prevents me from being able to leave my car unattended. I was trying to go grocery shopping and couldn't because the key wouldn't come out of the ignition for me to lock the doors. 01/04/2022. The most recent time this happened before today was about 2 weeks ago 12/21/2021. I tried starting the vehicle again and turning it off and it still wouldn't allow the key to release. My husband was able to get the key out the last after several hours. We will be scheduling an appointment with service center when an appointment becomes available to have it inspected. Based on research this has been an issue with captiva's in the past.
NHTSA complaint #11446193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN TURNING THE IGNATION OFF, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OFF, IT STAY'S IN THE OPEN POSITION KEEPING THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE CAR FROM TURNING OFF, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRIAL FIRE. I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNATION, IT MAKES THE CAR BATTERY RUN DOWN, AND SOMETIMES THE WIRES SEEM TO GET HOT FROM THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11442715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact spoke with the local dealer and was quoted a diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11442008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after inserting the key into the ignition switch, the ignition switch would not turn, and the engine could not be started. Also, the key would remain stuck inside the ignition switch and could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to a local service center who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure continued to occur. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #11441995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Key gets stuck in ignition. Lose all power WHILE DRIVING or parked! Requires a jiggle on the battery cable to restore power. Radio loses power randomly while driving. a/c shuts off. This has been happening since we bought the car in June 2021.
NHTSA complaint #11435285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Periodically when driving, there will be an electrical issue involving various electrical components as follows: Service Traction Control warning message, radio goes out, dashboard warning lights flash on/off suddenly. Also, the car will appear completely dead/unresponsive can cannot be started. The key will get stuck in the ignition. This is currently the situation. These occurances can happen 3 to 5 times per week. We cannot identify a particular set of circumstances that creates the situation. It seems to happen randomly. Other owners of the Chevy Captiva have reported having similar problems. To fix the problem, I have separately had the Body Control Module replaced, replaced the battery and had a grounding wire replaced. The problem remains unresolved. Since this appears to be a common issue with the Chevy Captiva, I would like GM to investigate and propose a solution. I am willing to pay for the solution, but we (owners, dealers and repair shops) need to know how to repair the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11431527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Key gets stuck in ignition and takes many tries to get it out, even from day one of buying it. Was informed that was a "safety" feature provided by Chevy themselves. When shutting off the vehicle, everything dies out like the battery went completely dead and car won't start again. Have to play with battery wires and fuse box before I hear the car make any noise again. Was informed by more than one mechanic that there are GM recalls for the thermal cable, battery protective cable, and starter motors, but nothing for my VIN has popped up. Have found almost 100 other complaints on multiple sites and more than a dozen reported accidents due to this issue. Car sits at almost 98,000 miles now and it will not turn over for me. Recalls should be put out for the entirety of this model because I have met 2 other people who have had the exact same problem and were informed that the dealerships have refused to acknowledge prior recall or safety information.
NHTSA complaint #11421613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated while attempting to shut-off the vehicle, the key ceased in the accessory position. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #11420486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN, several times between my husband or myself while driving down the road and on the interstate, the vehicle would just completely shut off no lights, no brakes no nothing. We purchased the vehicle used so we thought that it had something to do with some minor maintenance but this first occurred only after having the vehicle for two weeks. We've taken the vehicle back to where we purchased it, they could not find any issues with the vehicle and taken it to other locations with no luck on solving issue. The vehicle does not give any signs or warning when it will shut down while drive. Here recently when using the turn signals, switching on high beams, or even turning on the radio causes the vehicle shut down.
NHTSA complaint #11418637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAPTIVA SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. THE ISSUE WAS DIRECTED TO BE REPAIRED IN THE OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN HOWEVER THE CAPTIVA IS A FLEET VEHICLE WHICH MEANS THEY DIDN'T FIX THE KNOWN ISSUE OF PUTTING A FORD BATTERY SENSOR ON A CHEVY VEHICLE BECAUSE FLEET VEHICLES ARE RARELY SERVICED BY A DEALERSHIP. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. THIS HAPPENED TO ME LOSING ALL POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN GOING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. I'VE NOT DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE AUGUST BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DIE AND I STILL OWE ABOUT 4 YEARS OF PAYMENTS ON THIS LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #11386294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.