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: fuel/propulsion system
61 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2025
Gas is getting into the crankcase because the GDI Fuel pump is faulty and is causing check engine light and the stability Trax light and caused the reduce engine power light and shuts engine off
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
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2024
No warning lamps. I was 3 quarts low only going 1614 miles from last oil change. Oil consumption , piston rings not correct. No oil leaks just consumes a lot of oil. Low oil made my car stall out while driving. No oil light came on to fill. Piston rings recall , needs replaced. Bought from an individual in July.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 3, 2023
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Findlay Chevrolet Chevy has thousands of complaints regarding the 2.4L oil consumption. Thousands! The engine has 97,500 and consumes 2qts in 1,000miles. I requesting that GM helps fix the issue. A normal engine does not even consume 1qt in 3000miles, let alone 2qts in 1,000. It does not leak. The only problem is a GM defect possibly with piston rings which is documented with similar years. On top of this. They had an airbag recall for similar models and years. This vehicle they say, does not have a VIN on the recall. Yet, my “service airbag” error is on. It seems that GM does not care if someone has an airbag that may go off at 70mph. Not do they care about selling people engines that consume oil at a rate that will leave people stranded in the middle of nowhere. Or possibly starting on fire from getting too hot from not having oil in the engine. Thank you for your time INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2023
The vehicle’s engine had been stalling shortly after ignition and when idling. I had it in a repair shop three separate times and was told that it was a problem with the solenoids. The first two times, they were cleaned. They were replaced on the third. I was also told that the vehicle was using an excessive amount of oil, and to bring it in every 3000 miles for an oil change. On the date of the incident, I was traveling home. I took exit 363 off of I-70 onto US-287. While traveling down the off-ramp, the engine stalled. I was unable to brake properly. By the time the vehicle came to a complete stop, I was the middle of a busy crossroads. This particular area sees a lot of traffic, especially semitrailer trucks. When I was next able to get it into be looked at, I chose a different shop because the first had clearly missed something. It was this shop that told me my engine was ruined because it had been being driven without oil, despite not being at the 3000 mile mark yet. The vehicle has not been driven since, as I have not had the $7000 it would cost to replace the engine. Please, if there is any advice or help you can give me, I’d so appreciate words of wisdom. Thank you for your time.
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 .
Steering, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2022
purchased the car from some that passed away and did not get these items fixed before I got it. coverter/ lossing/using oil, and electric power steering system problem
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2022
I purchased a 2011 Chevy Equinox LT from a used car dealer in April 2022 with 153,000 miles on it. The second day I had it the brake caliper completely fell off of my front passenger tire causing my wheels to lock. Couple days later I noticed that after an extended time of driving anything more than 10-15 minutes it. The RPMs would fluctuate sometimes dropping down to zero and the vehicle stalls. The excessive amount of oil used in this vehicle is ridiculous I literally got an oil change and a week later it said I was low but my oil notification on my Dash messages said oil life remaining 95% check engine light comes on and it's the p0042 for catalyst system not at threshold. This literally should be a class action lawsuit because this is ridiculous
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 19, 2021
The engine oil rings are faulty ,it's a manufacturer issue but lawsuits have been the only outcome .it also has many environmental hazards involved as well as public safety as this vehicle spews massive amounts of oil and gas and other nasty things out onto the road behind it from the exhaust.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2021
THE CAR ALWAYS NEEDED OIL, AND WE DID KNOW WHY TIL THE TIMING BELT WENT AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT COST US OVER 2850.00 THEN WE FOUND OUT GM PUT A BAD SPRAY OILER FOR THE TIMING BELT AS FOR THE GOING THROUGH SO MUCH OIL WE ARE UNSURE. I DID HEAR OF A LAWSUIT WE JUST WOULD LIKE OUR MONEY BACK FOR THE MOTOR REPLACEMENT IT'S A VERY BAD LEMON GM ON THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE THEY MADE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2021
I HAVE HAD CONSTANT HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE VVT SOLENOIDS TWICE, TIMING AND BALANCE SHAFT CHAINS HAD TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MISFIRING. CAN BARELY GO 2 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG. I'VE LOOKED THIS UP AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2020
CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAR SHAKES, BALKING WHILE ON IDLE OR STOP ON RED LIGHT, HEAVY CHAIN ROLLING NOISE. SPENT MORE THAN $3K SO FAR BUT STILL COMES WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS EVERY NOW AND THEN. ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CODES SHOW UP WHILE CHECKING. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. WIPER BLADES DON'T CLEAR PROPERLY. PROBLEM LIST CAN GO ON AND ON. CAR SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF AND IT HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED BY ITSELF AND COULDN'T GO MORE THAN 20 MILES/HOUR ON A HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY INSIDE THE CAR.
Seat belts, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 7, 2019
MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS, I GOT THE CAR WITH 49,000 MILES ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ALREADY DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. NOW MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION. MY CAR NOW HAS AROUND 130,000 MILES AND I SEEN THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT ALSO POSES A SAFETY RISK AS IT CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE THE CARS ARE IN MOTION. THERE ARE TIMES I ADD A WHOLE QUART OF OIL AND 3 DAYS LATER I HEAR A TICKING NOISE AND MY OIL IS COMPLETELY GONE. MY CAR CONKS OUT AT STOP SIGNS ONCE IN A WHILE, IT TAKES TIME TO ACCELERATE. ALSO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK IT'S STUCK TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN'T USE IT.
Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 26, 2019
RATTLE AND NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND WHILE IN MOTION, MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING, OCCASIONAL HARD SHIFT, BACK REAR DRIVERS TIRE LOSING PRESSURE FOR NO REASON, PULLING CODE FOR P0420, DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL BUT NO RECALL ON MY VIN OR HISTORY OF RECALL, WHILE OTHERS SAID DEALERS HAD SAID IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL. JUST BOUGHT FROM BAXTER DEALERSHIP IN BELLEVUE, NE TWO WEEKS AGO.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 17, 2019
SHORTLY AFTER I FINANCED THE VEHICLE IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHILE IDLING, IF I IDLE TOO LONG IT WILL START TO SHAKE AND WILL SHUT DOWN. I HAVE POURED MONEY INTO FIXING THE VEHICLE AND SPENT THE LAST TWO 3 YEARS TRYING TO FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF IT SHUTTING DOWN. I WILL LOSE THROTTLE IN THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WILL JUST TURN OFF OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I'M DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOME. IT SEEMS TO NOT LIKE WHEN I IDLE OR DRIVE SLOW WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I'M DRIVING FAST THE GAS PEDAL KEEPS THROTTLE IF I DRIVE TOO SLOW IT'S A RISK FOR IT TO STARTING TO SHAKE AND SHUT DOWN AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM MECHANICS HAVE FOUND PARTS THAT WERE YEARS PAST DUE OF NEEDING REPLACING. SO WHILE THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT LOOKED POSSIBLE WITH A CONDITION IT WAS IN EVERY TIME WE WOULD THINK THAT WE HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH FIVE MECHANICS TRYING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE AND IT IS BECOMING A NIGHTMARE NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIGURE IT OUT.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2019
FUEL PUMP/ LOW FUEL ISSUES FUEL PUMP FAILING, WHICH IN PART LEAKS FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. RUNNING ERROR CODES. LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT DISPLAYED ON DASH FOLLOWED BY REDUCE POWER. DEALERSHIP ADVISES IT'S A 900 CHARGE. CERTAIN 2011 EQUINOX MODELS FALL UNDER THE PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL 43180 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RECALL. HOWEVER I AM BEING ADVISED MINE DOES NOT ALTHOUGH ISSUE APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH RECALL AT FIRST GLANCE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2019
IT ONLY HAD 42000 MILES ON IT AND EVEN BEFORE IT SOUNDED FUNNY. WE HAD IT HOOKED TO DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SAID THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAM SHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOIDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR FAULTY. GOOGLE IT ONLINE IT COMES UP AS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR OF 2011 CHEVY EQUINIX. BUT WHEN I TOLD THEM AT CHEVY SERVICE CENTER THEY WERE ADDIMENT THAT ONLY CERTAIN VINS AND THATS WHAT THEY GO BY. BUT I TOLD THEM HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHICH ONES ARE AFFECTED IF YOUR NOT TOLD BY CONSUMERS. ONLINE AND ON DIFFERENT SITES COME UP THAT SOME HAVE PROBLEMS AND HAVE RECALLS . WELL OM INFORMING THEM THAT THERES AN ISSUE BUT SINCE ITS NOT ON THEIR DATA BASE OR MY VIN THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. THE CAR WHEN DRIVING SHUTS OFF SOMETIMES. OR WHEN I START IT AND BEGIN TO DRIVE IT SHUTS OFF.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2019
2011 CHEVY EQUINOX TICKING ENGINE AND ERRATICALLY IDLES. RUNS ROUGH AND SHIFTING IS INCONSISTENT. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN IS BAD. $1500 REPAIR! TIMING CHAINS ARE MEANT TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, THESE ONES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED YEARS AGO. MY CAR HAS 125K MILES. HATE CHEVY
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2019, crash
REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT GMC DEALERSHIP SHOWED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2015 UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUED. 2018 ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE IDLING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. DROVE ALMOST 400 MILES ON "NEW TRANSMISSION" AC NOT WORKING, IDLES WITH HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN FAN IS RUNNING. NOW SEAT BELTS LIGHTS FLASH AND ALARM DESPITE SEAT BELTS IN BUCKLED POSITION. ENGINE GOES TO POWER DOWN /SAVE MODE WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY. THIS POWER DOWN (REDUCTION) HAPPENS STALLS AND WONT DRIVE. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND RATTLE AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK AND REMOVING KEY (WHEN TURNED OFF)
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2019, crash
REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT GMC DEALERSHIP SHOWED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2015 UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUED. 2018 ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE IDLING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. DROVE ALMOST 400 MILES ON "NEW TRANSMISSION" AC NOT WORKING, IDLES WITH HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN FAN IS RUNNING. NOW SEAT BELTS LIGHTS FLASH AND ALARM DESPITE SEAT BELTS IN BUCKLED POSITION. ENGINE GOES TO POWER DOWN /SAVE MODE WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY. THIS POWER DOWN (REDUCTION) HAPPENS STALLS AND WONT DRIVE. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND RATTLE AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK AND REMOVING KEY (WHEN TURNED OFF)
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 9, 2019
MOST RECENTLY WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY IMPAIRED. HAD MY GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME, THEY HAD TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS TO HELP ME GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM IN 2015, AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING IN 2014, FAILED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IN 2016. I BOUGH A NEW CAR BECAUSE IN DIDN'T WANT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. IT IS A LEMON.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2019
MY HUSBAND, NEWBORN BABY AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURED EVERY TIME MY HUSBAND USED THE BRAKES. LUCKILY WE MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICHLE CONSTANTLY NEEDS OIL AND THEN IT DIED FOR THE LAST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO AS WE PULLED INTO A FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVEWAY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 4, 2019
USED QUART OF OIL EVERY 900 MILES