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: electronic stability control (esc)
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 5, 2014
THE STABILITRAK AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON OUR 2011 EQUINOX HAVE COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR VIBRATES AND LOOSES POWER. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ON THE FREEWAY, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT A COST OF $200, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ONCE AGAIN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I ALSO CONTACTED GM. BOTH THE GM REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CHEVY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES AND ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED A DEFINITIVE CAUSE OR SOLUTION. AND WHILE GM COVERED $300 OF THE SECOND REPAIR, IT STILL COST US $100. WE ARE NOW OUT $300 IN REPAIRS SO FAR FOR THIS DEFECT WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. WE NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2013
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, MY VEHICLE TOOK A HARD SHARP RIGHT WHILE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE. IF A CAR HAD BEEN BESIDE ME I WOULD OF CRASHED. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE SO, I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE TIRES AND ALL WERE FINE. AS I GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE MY VEHICLE KEPT PULLING RIGHT. WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN TO MAKE A LEFT I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AFTER MUCH " MAN HANDLING" WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. MY CHILDREN WERE CRYING. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. I HOPE A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED SOON AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ONE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED THUS FAR. MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT THE EQUINOX BECAUSE WE PREVIOUSLY HAD A CAMRY THAT ACCELERATED ON ME WHILE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO CAR SAFETY? I AM BEGINNING TO NOT FEEL SAFE IN ANY VEHICLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2013
SO MY TRACTION CONTROL AN ABS LIGHT GOES OFF AN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, AND IT APPEARS MY LEFT WHEEL SENSOR IS FAULTY AND CAN CAUSE LOCK UP IN BREAKS AND DECREASED POWER. TURNS OUT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL CHEVY EQUINOX MODELS.THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS COMPLAINTS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT AS I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN,PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 4, 2012
I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY EQUINOX ON MAY 13, 2011 FROM MARITIME MOTORS IN FAIRFIELD, CT IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE FROM THE BEGINNING DRIVETRAIN/TIMING ISSUES, BUCKING ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION AND PULSING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. THE EQUINOX STILL OCCASIONALLY CLATTERS UPON STARTING (AFTER THE RECALL WAS APPARENTLY FIXED IN SUMMER 2011), AND THE VEHICLE ALSO PULSES AT STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO THE POINT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL AND I HAVE TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO STOP THE PULSING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING FROM MARITIME MOTORS (OR GENERAL MOTORS) IN TERMS OF SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE - I HAVE FIVE WITNESSES/PASSENGERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CONCERNS. IN ADDITION, I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL (PURCHASED FROM MARITIME MOTORS) AND ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL ISSUES. THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION HAS RESOLVED FOUR RECENT COMPLAINTS WITH GM FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 6, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2011 EQUINOX LT - CHEVROLET -DEC 2010 - WANTED A NICE AND SAFE CAR FOR THE NEW YEAR - I AM A MOTHER WITH SMALL KIDS AND WANTED A SMALLER CAR THAN WHAT I HAD, WHICH WAS A FORD WINDSTAR, I HAD FOR 13 YRS. I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE EQUINOX IN JULY, AUGUST AND AGAIN NOW, WITH THE STABILITY TRACT SERVICE LIGHT GOING ON AND LOSING POWER AND NOW THIS THIRD TIME WITH NO POWER TO THE TRANNY - I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, I WOULD GIVE IT GAS AND IT JUST WOULDN'T MOVE - THEN THE CAR POWER LOCKS GO CRAZY -LOCK AND UNLOCK AND THE TRANSMISSION JERKS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. I HOPE THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG BEFORE SOMEONE OR MYSELF ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR