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
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 2, 2015
UPON LEAVING THE HOME DRIVEWAY, AS THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE INFORMATION STATION FLASHED THE WARNING "STABILITRAC / POWER REDUCED". THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVE-ABLE, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST THE FIRST TRANSMISSION GEAR. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK HOME, I RESTARTED IT, AND THE SAME WARNING WAS DISPLAYED IN THE INFORMATION STATION. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY AND EMIT THICK BLACK SMOKE. ALL INDICATIONS FROM INTERNET SOURCES POINT TO A BAD THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART, IT HAS A VERY HIGH FAILURE RATE IN THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, CHEVY REFUSES TO COVER THIS PART AS PART OF THEIR POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY. THE "POWER REDUCED" CONDITION CAUSED BY THIS PART FAILURE IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAVE HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU ARE TURNING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION OR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE, THERE WILL BE INJURIES OR FATALITIES BECAUSE OF IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2015
DRIVING AT 55MPH SUDDENLY CAR DECELERATES AND WARNING LIGHT FLASHES "ENGINE POWER REDUCED"...CANNOT ACCELERATE PAST 15 MPH. SERVICE AT CHEVY DEALER DIAGNOSIS - THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACEMENT... CONCERNED TO HAVE THIS SUDDEN PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF OF THE ROAD AND SHOOK CONSTANTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, FUEL PUMP, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2014
MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH A WINDOW STICKER STATING A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE. IT HAD 1800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND FOUND IT HAS A SIX CYLINDER ENGINE. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE AND WHO SHOULD I SPEAK WITH AT GM. I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE AND A SIX CYL ENGINE WAS NOT SHOWN ON THE PAPER WORK? *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 21, 2014
THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER GOTTEN ANYWHERE NEAR THE ADVERTISED EPA ESTIMATED GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE OVER 20000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAVE ONLY AVERAGED AROUND 23 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY IN ECO MODE. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FALSE ADVERTISING. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE ESTIMATED 30 MPG. REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN GM AT THIS POINT. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2014
SENSORS FOR THE THROTTLE CONTROL WENT OUT CAUSING REDUCED ENGINE POWER IN SUB ZERO WEATHER AT A STOP. THIS MADE FOR HAZARDOUS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR ABOVE 15 MI PER HR ESPECIALLY UP ANY SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN THE NORMAL SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 AND EVERY ONE IS ANNOYED THEY ARE BEING SLOWED DOWN. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE AT START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, TIMING CHAIN, ACTUATOR AND ENGINE OIL WAS CONTAMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,400.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2013
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX THAT STARTED OCCURRING ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT. THE MAIN CONCERNS ARE THE ENGINE NOISE AND HOW ROUGH IT RUNS, FEELING AS THOUGH I AM BEING REAR-ENDED IN TRAFFIC (WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP IT LURCHES FORWARD, GIVING THE FEELING OF BEING HIT), ROUGH START UP (SOUNDS LIKE AN OLD CAR AT TIMES) AND THE CAR STUTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING (ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR NOW AND HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE TAKEN IT FOUR TIMES GIVING THEM THE SAME DESCRIPTION EACH TIME AT WHICH THEY STATE THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THESE ISSUES. THEY KEEP MY CAR FOR HOURS AND DO NOTHING TO IT. I AM A SINGLE MOM SO I CAN'T LEAVE MY CAR WITHOUT IT CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES FOR ME AS I HAVE TO TAKE MY SON TO AND FROM SCHOOL. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE BALANCE CHAIN AND DESCRIBES WHAT MY VEHICLE IS DOING NOW-I BELIEVE I HAVE ENGINE DAMAGE AND I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL END UP BREAKING DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT SOME POINT OR WORSE STALL OUT AND END UP IN AN ACCIDENT! IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE PROBLEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DEFROSTER, IT JUST DOESN'T CLEAR THE WINDOWS FAST ENOUGH, ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEREO (MAKES A STATIC, DISTORTED SOUND WITH THE USB PORT) AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SQUEAKS BECAUSE IT RUBS UP AGAINST THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT. I AM HOPING THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUES WITH REGARD TO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE GM TO DEAL WITH IT APPROPRIATELY! WE SHOULD NOT FEEL AFRAID THAT OUR NEW CAR WILL BREAK DOWN ON US, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLES! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SEVER RATTLING HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATION AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS CONSUMING FAR MORE GASOLINE FUEL THAN NORMAL THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 30, 2012
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO OUR GARAGE, A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTICED. STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE FUEL LINE WAS REPLACED BY OUR DEALER. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 18700 MILES. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2011. THE VEHICLE GETS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE EVERY NIGHT. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A VEHICLE WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE AND AT SO YOUNG AN AGE COULD HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS CORROSION PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 1, 2012
ENGINE CONTINUE TO RUN 3 - 5 SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. *TR