AI Damage2014 Chevrolet Captiva: common problems
Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva filed 138 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 138
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 43% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 22% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 7% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 60 complaints (43% of all).
- Engine: 30 complaints (22% of all).
- Powertrain: 17 complaints (12% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 9 complaints (7% of all).
- Steering: 9 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 138 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It suffered severe front and rear damage, with the rear window shattered as we were struck from behind while stopped in traffic on an interstate. None of the airbags deployed.
My upper body/sternum/upper abdomen hit the steering wheel full force, my airbag did not deploy & seatbelt did not lock down in place immediately like it should have. Went by ambulance to hospital with sternal, ribs, & spinal injuries.
The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was not filed. The driver sustained a few injuries, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was damaged, but was drivable. The contact called john l.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained soft tissue bruising, which required medical attention. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Air bags failed to deploy. Driver injured. Filed personal injury claim against at-fault driver. Incurred $39,087.48 in medical bills over 7 month treatment period.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,817 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Captiva has 39 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 138, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 138. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), won't start (6%), knocking, grinding or other noise (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2014 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.