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: electrical system
74 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2025
While driving, the car wouldn't accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal to the floor. It made funny noises and was jerking. I was told not to drive because of the danger to my engine. The engine light did come on
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 19, 2025
I BOUGHT THIS OFF OF A PRIVATE PERSON ,SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED NOT TAKEN ITS GAS AND DYING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OR SHORT ERRANDS ,I STARTED PUTTING A BUNCH OF MONEY IN IT IVE REPLACED ALL I KNOW TO DO AND IT STILL WONT TAKES ITS GAS ,I HAVE BEEN STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION BEFORE BECAUSE I HAD NO PEDAL IF YOU TURN IT OFF IT STARTS BUT JUST WONT TAKE THE GAS ,I HEARD THIS VEHICAL WAS RECALLED AND I DONT KNOW IF ITS NEVER BEEN FIXED OR WHATS GOING ON WITH IT ,IVE HAD IT TO MANY MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT ,CAN YOU TELL ME IF ANY OF THIS IS ON THE RECALL LIST AND IF ITS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IT ? I CANT DRIVE IT LIKE THIS ITS TOO DANGEROUS . I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 24 , AND ITS NEVER RAN SINCE WITH OUT ISSUES THAT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM OF FIX IT THE RIGHT WAY ,THANK YOU
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2025
It burns oil excessively Stalls out while driving Stability traction control comes on Timing chain has to be replaced now Fuel pump needs replacement All this happened at same time My cost is 2700.00
Electrical system, May 13, 2024
Trouble code p2138. Replaced accelerator pedal with OEM. Trouble code still persists. Car goes into limp mode while driving posing a safety concern. There is a TSB 07-06-04-019F. Other codes include p0301 and p0697. After limp mode I have to pull over and turn car completely off and crank it up again to get out of it.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 6, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a business parking lot. The contact stated that he opened the hood and noticed the engine compartment had caught fire. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was burned and was bubbly. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water bottles. A fire department report and a police report were not filed. The contact sustained a minor burn on the right hand and did not receive medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's parents. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 9, 2023
Just got a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox from a dealership that I trusted. Only had a few weeks and it just stalled on me while driving in traffic!!! Would not start back ! It was terrifying!!! Thank God it wasn’t rush hour! A nice man helped push it out of road into a parking lot! Now I find out there are safety issues and recalls that I was not aware of! Faulty oil piston rings caused it to jump time! They want over 7,000$ to fix but I do not have that kind of money!!!Its a death trap and shouldn’t have been allowed to re sale!!!
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2023
Stalling and stopping completely while coming to a stop. New muffler put in, still stalling! - I drive daily with my two children under five and the risk of my truck stopping completely while driving is my biggest safety concern for both my children and I!
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 15, 2023
The key can be removed although drivetrain is not in Park? Also, a week ago while picking up my grandkids from school, my car would not start. It was parked. Everything was dead and the key could not be removed from the ignition which was quite odd even if it was a dead battery, the key should come out of the ignition? It was in Park. The key could be turned but not taken out of ignition?
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2023
The windshield wipers and yes, available at anytime for inspection. I was traveling Hwy 80 and the wipers stopped working completely in a downpour of rain at 70 mph. I could not see and could not even follow the rear taillights in front of me to stay in my lane. I put my right blinker on and slowly moved to the slow lane in order to take the next exit off the highway. Had to travel over the highway on the overpass and needed to turn right. Couldn’t see detail so ended up running over yellow barriers then made it to the right turn and was barely able to make out a driveway which was a Starbucks. Stopped to confirm wipers would not work and to move wipers by hand to clear windshield. Every 4 or 5 blocks had to stop and get out to physically move wipers by hand to clear rain water from windshield in order to drive further. It was so dangerous, I could of easily caused accidents for others and myself and also could have been fatal! Next time you’re on the highway, close your eyes and keep driving-it was the same and scared me to the point that I was shaking!!! Thank God I didn’t have my grandkids with me!!
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2023
After purchasing the vehicle . The vehicle starting malfunctioning. From going into 0rmp to shutting back on after turn the vehicle off. Upon utilizing cruis control the vehicle automatically speeds without pressing the set miles .
Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 31, 2022
My brakes went to the floor going 55 then they got really hard to press almost wrecked had to get towed! Then after that the suspension felt really loose
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2021
CAR KEEPS DYING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, STOP SIGNS, STOP LIGHTS ECT. IDLES VERY ROUGHY, AND IS VERY LOUD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Apr 13, 2021
FIRST TIME: MARCH 21 - NJ TURNPIKE. CAR "STABILITRAK ICON" AND SERVICE STABILITRAK" MSG & "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR" LIGHT, THEN "BRAKE ICON" AND "ABS ICON" WITH "SERVICE POWER STEERING" MSG, THEN "SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM" MSG - ALL WHILE THE ICONS ARE ON - CAR LOST ALL POWER. CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NJ TURNPIKE AT ALMOST EXIT 18E/W. HAD VEHICLE TOWED, TOOK FIRST TO FIRESTONE A DAY LATER, THE FOUND A CODE THEY SAID NEEDED THE CHEVY COMPUTERS (P069E, U0073, D1231) - TOOK TO CHEVY A WEEK LATER (BELLAVIA CHEVY, RUTHERFORD, NJ), DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NO CODES - COULD BE THE BATTERY. WE CLEANED THE PORTS, CHANGED THE BATTERY. HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED AT FIRESTONE ON 4/9. 4/9 PICKED UP THE CAR, THIS TIME DRIVING FROM NORTHERN NJ TO BROOKLYN AND THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VERRIZANO BRIDGE IN STATEN ISLAND. ALL THE SAME LIGHTS / SYMPTOMS AS ABOVE, LOST ALL POWER. MANAGED TO GET OFF AT THE 92ND STREET EXIT AND INTO A PARKING SPACE - TOWED TO PARENTS HOUSE IN BROOKLYN, MADE APPT W/ CHEVY DEALER FOR MONDAY 4/12 (BAY RIDGE CHEVROLET OF BROOKLYN). VEHICLE IS NOW WITH THEM, AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC - THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND FOR THE FIRST DEALER TO NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE / GET A CODE AND THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. I'M NOW OVER 500.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS FEES THAT DID NOT FIX ANYTHING. BOTH TIMES WERE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WEATHER CONDITIONS WE GOOD BOTH DAYS.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Engine, Dec 18, 2020
1) SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON DESPITE HAVING SEATBELTS SECURED. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND STAYS ON THROUGHOUT ALL ASPECTS OF DRIVING UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. 2) SERVICE STABILITRAC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE THE RADIO FLICKERS OFF AND ON, AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WERE POSSESSED. 3) THE PREVIOUS ENGINE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT RESULTED IN THE PREVIOUS ENGINE BEING REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. NEW ENGINE IS BURNING OIL JUST AS FAST AS THE OLD ONE. WITHING ONE MONTH THE DIPSTICK WAS REGISTERING AS BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE WITH 2 MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 3K MILES LEFT BEFORE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, PER JIFFY LUBE'S STICKER.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2020
MY IGNITION WAS GETTING JAMMED AND STUCK WHEN TURNING THE TRUCK ON. WHILE DRIVING I FELT SOMETHING LOSING POWER MY GEARS FELT REALLY SLOW
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2020
MY EQUINOX LTZ 2011 KEEP SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT A WARNING WHEN I'M BACKING UP ON A RED LIGHT OR A STOP NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SHOW BUT IT KEEP DOING IT.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, CAMSHAFT, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 12, 2019
AT RED LIGHT,MY CAR CUT OUT. WOULDN'T TURN OVER. HAD IT TOWED AND MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS TIMING CHAINS, WHICH AFFECTED ENGINE. CHECKED 8 OF 16 VALVES THAT WERE BENT, ALONG W/8 ROCKER ARMS CRACKED AND TORN OFF. $4000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE, MONEY I DO NOT HAVE. MECHANIC SAID GM KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TEN PLUS YEARS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 23, 2019
A FEW DAYS AGO AFTER WORK I STOPPED FOR GAS AND TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE HOME. I LIVE IN A CITY WITH TRAFFIC SO I IDLE A LOT. WHILE STOPPED, MY 'SERVICE STABILITRAK' AND 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' CAME ON. THERE WAS NO WHERE I COULD GO BUT UP THE EXPRESSWAY. ONCE I SPED UP, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER ON TOP OF THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, EVERYTHING STARTED FLICKERING AND THEN IT HAD NO ELECTRICITY RUNNING AT ALL. NOT EVEN MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS. THIS WAS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE PPL ARE DRIVING REALLY FAST NEXT TO ME AND AND IT WAS ALREADY NIGHT TIME. I FINALLY GOT HELP AND HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT MORNING. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION BUT STILL NO SIGN OF LIFE UNTIL AFTER IT WAS TOWED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN JUST YET BUT I AM EXTREMELY SCARED TO DRIVE IT AS I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH NO FAMILY IN THIS NEW CITY.
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2019
THE CENTER INFOTAINMENT THAT CONTAINS THE RADIO/CD/NAVIGATION, PHONE CONTROL, AIR CONDITIONER, TIME IS REALLY MESSED UP. IT NO LONGER HOLDS TIME. THE RADIO WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES NOT. THE SAME FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER. SOMETIMES THE NAVIGATION BELIEVES I AM IN A STATE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY. I HAVE TAKEN TO CHEVROLET ASKING FOR THEM TO FIX IT. THEY SAID IT CANNOT BE FIXED, ONLY REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT ALONE (THE PART ONLY FOR MY MODEL CAR) IS $10,000. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN WORTH $10,000 ANYMORE. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU PUT SUCH A PRICEY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN A CAR THAT CANNOT BE FIXED? YOU HAVE PUT ME IN A POSITION OF BEING STUCK WITH A CAR I ABSOLUTELY HATE BECAUSE THE MESSED UP ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND ONE THAT I CANNOT POSSIBLY TRADE IN. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR YOU NEED TO BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR BACK. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO A CONSUMER WHO WORKS HARD FOR THEIR MONEY. THE 10,000 PART DOES NOT EVEN INCLUDE THE LABOR COSTS I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT PUT IN. I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY SCREWED IN THIS DEAL.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 6, 2019
IN JAN 5 2016 MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX MILEAGE 56747 WOULD JUST STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. DRIVING ON THE HWY IT JUST KILLED AND STARTED BUT DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THEN STALLED AGAIN COULDN'T STEER. GOT IT TO RAY CHEVROLET IT WAS MY CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVE IN SEPT.2016 MILEAGE 80584 I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN AND IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVES AND IT BURNT MY ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AKA COMPUTER WHICH COST ME $800.00. SKIPPING FORWARD BUT NOT WITHOUT PROBLEMS THERE ARE MANY. AUG. 2019, I AM HAVING TO CHANGE CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVES AGAIN DO TO STALLING ON THE ROAD WHILE I'M DRIVING NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER FOR THE THIRD TIME. IT'S SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITHOUT WARNING IT WILL KILL ON YOU FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THEN I WENT CHANGE MY OIL LIKE CLOCK WORK AND WAS TOLD I HAVE A VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK TO GO WITH THE SOLENOID PROBLEM. IT'S SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FACT IT WILL STALL AT ANYTIME. IN AUG. 2019 MY PRESSURE SENSOR FOR MY RIGHT TIRE WENT OUT. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO RESET AND MECHANIC TRIED AND SAID SENSOR NEEDS TO BE CHANGED REALLY. I CAN'T TELL IF I HAVE A LOW TIRE IT JUST SHOWS BLANK LINE ON ALL TIRES. NOW MY ACTUATOR BEND DOOR BROKE ON DEFROST AND IT'S HOT IN LOUISIANA. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO. THIS CAR NEEDS A RECALL REALLY BAD. THERE IS NEVER A TIME WHERE THE CAR JUST RAN GOOD WITH NO TROUBLE. THINGS THAT BROKE ON THIS CAR ARE LISTED BELOW. AIR CONTROL IAC VALUE, ACTUATOR BEND DOOR, VALVE COVER GASKET, COMPUTER, PRESSURE SENSOR, CV JOINTS, INTAKE & EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID <>THREE TIMES
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 27, 2019
STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR DIED WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO BACK AND FORTH 3 TIMES AND ALL POWER IS THERE BUT ENGINE IS TOTALLY DEAD. SOMETIMES AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR WILL START. I HAVE HAD 4 MECHANICS, 3 WERE DEALERS, AND NOBODY COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON.....AND YET I WAS CHARGED 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO 2 STREET MECHANICS AND BOTH WITHOUT HESITATION SAID IT IS THE PCM COMPUTER. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND CONTINUED PROBLEMS I AM NOW ORDERING A NEW PCM AND INSTALLING IT MYSELF. THERE IS ALSO A TICKING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO BAFFLE THE MECHANICS. AND THE CAR CONSUMES TONS OF OIL. UNFORTUNATELY I AM SEEING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS OUT THERE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES AND CHEVROLET IS NOT HELPING. SHAME ON YOU CHEVROLET!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 16, 2019
CAR WILL THROW CODES P0700/U0073/U1000 - LOOSES ENGINE POWER, CHECK STABILITRAK LIGHTS UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL BUCK, ODOMETER/RPM GAUGE/TEMP GAUGE WILL BECOME ERRATIC. TOOK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOESN'T HAPPEN DAILY - SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START/UNABLE TO DRIVE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2019
WHEN THE CAN STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL.SOME THIMES THE ENISON WILL TURN OVER AND OVER AND I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF THE TRY TO START IT THAN IT WILL START.THE CAR WILL DIE IN THE MIDEL OF THE HIGHWAY. SOME THIME I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT GOING LIKE IT JUST RAN OUT OF FULE.