2011 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 782 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 30 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 41 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, power adjustJul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Campaign 14V447000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyDec 15, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 10V623000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2026, crash
I was in a rear end collision on May 14th 2026 the impact of the speed totaled my car in my airbags did not deploy and from my understanding where the sensors are on my vehicle they should have I ended up getting a concussion and soft tissue damage because my head hit the steering wheel my seat belt did not lock either.
Air bags, Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the message to “Service Air Bags” was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,243.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2024, crash
The contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving up a hill on a 2-lane road at approximately 45 mph, an oncoming vehicle in the opposing lane had taken too wide of a turn and had entered her lane, to avoid a head-on collision the contact swerved into the guard rail. Upon crashing, the air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated before the crash. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and deemed a total loss. The contact has an appointment with a doctor to determine whether any injuries were sustained. Nobody outside of the vehicle was injured. A police report was filed. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,357.
Air bags, Jun 23, 2023
There is a SB-10058723-5799, that addresses airbags. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox with 94k miles on it. The ‘service airbag’ error stays on the screen. I called Chevy to ask if I can bring vehicle in under SB 10058723-5799, and they told me my vehicle does not fall under this, AND they say the SB 10058723-5799 is expired. I asked they lady, so if the airbag deploys while I’m driving 65mph on the freeway, you’re not going to fix it under a recall that you say is expired. This makes absolutely no sense, and I believe it should fall under NHTSA’s special bulletin. Please help me. Thank you for your time.
Air bags, Apr 3, 2023
Traveling at low speed in driveway. When the side airbags deployed for seemingly no reason. There was no collision, did not run over anything etc.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated was driving at approximately 35 MPH when another vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle and the contact crashed into the passenger's front side door. The contact stated that she was unable to depress the brakes and her vehicle began to climb the side of the other person's vehicle. The contact stated that the driver and passenger air bags and side air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle disengaged from the other contact's vehicle and rolled off the roadway onto a grassy shoulder and stopped. The contact had lacerations and bruises on her neck, and neck vertebrae injuries. Also, she had bruises on both arms and wrists and lower back pain. The contact did not know what injuries the other driver suffered. The contact was taken to the ER by ambulance. The contact's vehicle was towed to her residence where the other driver's insurance adjuster inspected the contact's vehicle and declared it a total loss. The vehicle had not been repaired, however, the contact purchased the vehicle back from the other person's insurance provider. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and had assigned an investigator to check the air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Air bags, May 21, 2022
The airbag light stays on. It’s a known problem with this vehicle. Hundreds of owners online with complaints. I believe it has to do with faulty wiring under drivers seat. I’m scared the bag will intermittently inflate. GMC has to know about it. It’s happening on all the equinox vehicles. Thank you
Air bags, May 12, 2021
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ONE YESTERDAY 05/11/2021 BUT THEN TURNED OFF. IT WILL ALERT WHEN I START THE CAR AND INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 13, 2021
MY ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WAS TOLD IT'S A BAD SENSOR AND REPLACE WHEN POSSIBLE. ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, (NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENTED) I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED MY BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY THE ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS MORE THAN 1/2' AND MADE A GEAR LOCKING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP USING MANUAL DOWNSHIFT AND PUMPING THE BRAKES. WHEN PRESENTING TO MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE. READ THAT AGAIN. I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE A BRAKE FAILURE.
Air bags, Apr 7, 2021
I HAVE A 'SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ' GOING OFF ON MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING IT
Air bags, May 19, 2020
CHEVY EQUINOX WAS TRAVELING IN THE SLOW LANE ON HIGHWAY. SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY, NO CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Engine, Sep 19, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON.IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 8 YEARS AGO. CHEVY HAS FIXED IT BEFORE NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT SHOULD BE RECALL ON THE CHEVY EQUINOX I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I START THE CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON.CHEVY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE CAUSE IS B0074-00 AND B0074-OD THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER A $1000.00 THEY KNOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW.
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Aug 15, 2019, crash
TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREET, 30 MPH, WAS T-BONED IN CENTER OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY? DAMAGE TO BOTH DOORS, CENTER AND LOWER PILLAR, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BAR BENT. CONCUSSION AND BRUISING FROM INSIDE PILLAR TO DRIVER. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT AT TIME OF COLLISION
Air bags, Jun 13, 2019
TAMARA RECALL THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START MY VEHICLE AND STAYS ON FROM TIME TO TIME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND SCARES ME THAT IT MIGHT DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. I FEEL AS IF MY LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS.
Air bags, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2019, crash
DRIVING HOME I WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION IN WHICH A FEW CARS WERE BEGINNING TO MOVE AS I APPROACHED THE RED LIGHT. ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY, UPON SEEING THE SLOW START, I BEGAN BREAKING. UNFORTUNATELY I CONTINUALLY PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP AND RAN MY VEHICLE UNDER BACK END OF A FEDEX DELIVERY TRUCK. ONE HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED MY AIRBAG CANISTERS INITIATED BUT BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AFTER IMPACT I DID RECEIVE INDICATOR NOTIFICATION STATING AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED. PRIOR TO THE COLLISION O HAVE HAD TOTAL REBUILD OF MOTOR FROM BLOCK UPWARD BY GMC I REPORTED THAT NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE ON HWY MY CARD WOULD SUDDENLY STALL/ LAG . GOING FROM 65-70MPH DOWN TO 20-30MPH. HAVE HAD ENGINE MAINTAINED WELL AND CHANGING OIL ETC WAS TOLD ALL 3 TIMES I TOOK IT IS IT RESULTED NOTHING THAT COULD BE REPLICATED. DESPITE HAVING BEEN LUCKY SINCE IT COMMON APPARANTLY FOR MY VEHICHLE TO BEGIN LOSES OIL AND HAS TO BE REFILLED Q-2 X WEEK LY.( SEEMS TO BE COMMON COMPLAINT FROM AUTOMOTIVE MEN TO STATE ALL IS GOOD. 1) IT IS NOT ALL GOOD. 2) I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF STALLING, FAILED BREAKING SYSTEM AND LACK OF AIR BAG.DEPLOYMENT.I ALSO TOOK SEVERAL TIMES FOR TIMING BELT REPAIR AND EVEN HAD MOTOR REBUILT AND ALSO DESPITE JUST HAVING PUT ON WHEN THIS STARTED 3 MONTHSEAGO, HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE 4 MO AFTER BUYING VEHICLE ( HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT . OF COURSE AM ALWAYS TOLD NOT IN WARRANTY TIME LIMIT OR MY VIN # NOT INCLUDED IN CARS IDENTIFIED OF INCREASED RISK AND ALWAYS TOLD THERE IS AN INABILITY TO REPLICATE COMPLAINTS. WELL NOW I HAVE A TOTALLED CAR BUT PRAISE BE TO GOD HE STILL WRITING MY STORY AND I AM UNHARMED AND WILL NEED NEW VEHICHLE
Air bags, Mar 19, 2019, crash
VECHICAL WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, VECHICAL WAS TOTALED. AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 50-60 MPH.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 13, 2018
THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON EVEN THOUGH STUFF WAS REPLACED
Air bags, Jun 29, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEEDS TO BE SERVICED IT KEEPS SAYING AIRBAGS ARE OFF THIS LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME EQUINOX IS IN MOTION AND CONTINUES TO BEEP ALL THE TIME!
Power train, Air bags, Jan 8, 2018
WHEN SEATING IN THE DRIVER SEAT TURN ON THE CAR MY AIR BAG WARREN COME ON EVEN WHEN I TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT COME ON AND I DID GET WARRANT CARD AND I CALL A CHEVY DEALER IN QUINCY FLA AND THEY SAID THEY DID IT STILL IT KEEP POPPING UP LET TALK ABOUT THAT OIL THAT I KEEP LOSING WITH IN 4WEEK BOUT THE OIL WHEN I GET A OIL CHARGE WHEN IN A 3 WEEK CHECKING MY CAGE AND CHECKING MY OIL STICK NOW I KNOW WHAT THE CAGE ON THE OIL STICK LEVEL SHOULD BE I HAVE A UNCLE THAT WORKS FOR CHEVROLET DEALER IN UPPER STATE THAT SHOW ME WHAT TO LOOK FOR NOW THIS DON'T MAKE SENSE SO
Air bags, Oct 31, 2017
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON UPON STARTING IT ONE MORNING , BUT HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 58,863 MILES ON IT. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED!
Air bags, Oct 23, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. DEALER FIXED IT BUT IT KEEP COMING ON. COMES ON WHEN I AM STATIONARY AND DRIVING. IT ALWAYS READ SERVICE AIRBAG.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 26, 2017, crash, fire
JUNE 9, 2017 AT 10:00 PM I HIT A DEER ON SOUTH DAKOTA HWY 11 IN LINCOLN COUNTY. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH AND I WAS GOING 68 MPH WHEN I HIT THE DEER HEAD ON. I DROVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES MY WIFE AND I SMELLED BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE WHOLE THING WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. IF WE WOULD HAVE WENT IN THE DITCH AND BEEN UNCONSCIOUS WE WOULD HAVE BURNT UP WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE STARTED ON FIRE. GMC WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, May 10, 2017
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON SAYING AIRBAG MAINTENANCE. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT
Air bags, Structure, Feb 6, 2017, crash
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETED DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY WIFE. I ESTIMATE THE SPEED AT COLLISION TO BE AROUND 30MPH. I WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND AT ABOUT 630PM IN THE EVENING, ON A FOUR LANE CITY ROAD WITH A CENTER TURN LANE. I WAS IN MY LANE AND FAILED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY WIFE SPOKE WITH THE REPAIR SHOP CLERK WHO INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY EQUINOX'S UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AND THEREFORE I