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: power train
145 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 6, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE APPEARED. YOU ARE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND SUDDENLY YOU CAN ONLY GO 30 MILES AN HOUR NO MATTER HOW MUCH ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. AFTER PULLING OVER AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE SAFE AREA, TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING SEEMED TO RESET THE CAR SO IT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY WASN'T OPERATING CORRECTLY. CLEANING IT DID STOP THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE. THIS CAR ALSO BURNS OIL, NO LEAKS, BUT YOU NEED A QUART OR TWO OF DEXOS OIL A MONTH. GM SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO THE CAR STALLS AS YOU REDUCE SPEED, LIKE COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT WORKS FINE FOR AWHILE, BUT ON CERTAIN DAYS, IT STALLS EVERY TIME YOU SLOW DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POINTS TO A GAS PEDAL SWITCH.
Power train, May 20, 2015
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WHEN STOPPING AFTER A LONG DRIVE. SO FAR TWO INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR FAILLED TO MOVE AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT AND AT A STOP SIGN AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 50 MILES. DEALER CAN FIND NO PROBLEM WITH CAR.
Power train, Engine, Mar 29, 2015
A THREE OCCASIONS I HAVE SAT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE CAR IDLING, WITH A ROUGH SOUNDING IDLE, THE CAR SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, IT ACTUALLY DID STALL WITH ME NEEDING TO RESTART (WHICH LUCKILY IT DID) AS TRAFFIC WAS BEARING DOWN FROM BEHIND ON AN EARLY MORNING COMMUTE. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS, WITH THE MECHANIC TELLING ME THAT CAR WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW ON OIL. I WAS SHOCKED AND SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS, AS I AM DILIGENT ABOUT GETTING MY OIL CHANGED ON TIME. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ONLY 3 MONTHS PRIOR AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL!! AFTER HEARING THIS, I'VE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE FOR PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR YEAR MODEL EQUINOXES. SCARY AS I FELT HELPLESS SITTING STALLED IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC. LUCKY I WASN'T HIT! *TR
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
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 21, 2015
1.WHILE DRIVING IN NASHVILLE FOR WORK THE FIRST OCCURRENCE STARTED WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MOMENTS LATER CHECK TRACTION CONTROL WARNING POPPED UP AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER A REDUCED ENGINE POWER NOTIFICATION AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. WENT FROM 55 TO 30 MPH IN SECONDS. I HAVE NO CLUE HOW THIS DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK IN THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM ([XXX] IN CLARKSVILLE, TN) AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN AND THAT THEY FIXED IT. 2.4,000 MILES LATER WHILE WORKING ALL THE SAME MESSAGES POPPED UP AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART ON A BUSY BYPASS. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND I PAID TO HAVE IT TOWED. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY AND A HOUSING DUE TO IT BEING DESTROYED. IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AGAIN AND THEY SERVICED IT FOR FREE. 3.VEHICLE RAN GREAT FOR 3600 MILES AND AGAIN THE SAME MESSAGE SEQUENCE OCCURRED. THE CAR FORTUNATELY CONTINUED TO RUN AND I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I INSISTED IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT I WANTED TO TRADE IT IN IMMEDIATELY. 2 HOURS LATER THEY OFFERED ME $7,000 UNDER BLUE BOOK BECAUSE OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. THIS WAS VERY FUNNY OF COURSE SINCE IT IS CHEVROLET AND THE DEALERSHIPS FAULT FOR SELLING SUCH A LEMON. I TOLD THEM IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. TO FIX IT AGAIN FOR FREE AND I WOULD PICK IT UP. DEALERSHIP CALLED NEXT DAY. SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. IT WAS OUT OF OIL AND THAT CAUSED SAFETIES TO KICK IN AND THAT CREATED THE PROBLEM. I ASK HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE YOU CHANGED MY OIL 3600 MILES AGO. 4.LAST WEEK (AGAIN 3800 MILES LATER) THE CAR PRODUCED ALL OF THE SAME MESSAGES AND STALLED ON THE SAME BUSY BYPASS. THIS TIME I HAD MY (XXX)YEAR OLD AND (XXX) YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 SO OF COURSE TRAFFIC REGULARLY RUNS 60 MPH. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY CHILDREN ON 20 DEGREE WEATHER WITH NO HEAT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TRPARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND THE MESSAGE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" DISPLAYED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH. THEN THE MESSAGE "SERVICE STABILITRACK" DISPLAYED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN. I WAITED A MINUTE AND RESTARTED AND DROVE THE VEHICLE 20 MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. IT WAS SAT AFTERNOON, SO THE DEALER WAS CLOSED. I NURSED THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WEEKEND AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER MONDAY MORNING. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, WHICH TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE REPAIR, SO I HAD THEM DO THE SERVICE FOR $603 DOING SOME RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH SOME MECHANIC FRIENDS, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT OCCURS BETWEEN 50,000 - 60,000 MILES AND I FEEL SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 15, 2015
TRANSMISSION BANGS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AT SLOW SPEED. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 15, 2015
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LTZ AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MODE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHIN 10 FEET. YOU ARE UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN ANY WAY WITH THE PHRASE SERVICE STABILITRACK APPEARING RIGHT AFTER. YOU CAN BE DRIVING SLOWLY AT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR OR FASTER AT 35-40 MILES PER HOUR AND THIS IS ABLE TO HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT. TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST AND THE ENGINE IS UNUSABLE. CHEVROLET INFORMED US THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A BAD SENSOR IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE SENSOR IS UNABLE TO BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE WITHOUT REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE THROTTLE BODY IS NOT COVERED AFTER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY OF 24,000 MILES. FROM YEARS 2006-2009 THE THROTTLE BODY WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AT 100,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH LOCAL MECHANICS, IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT MULTIPLE EQUINOX DRIVERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND IT ALWAYS OCCURS BETWEEN 50,000-60,000 MILES. FRANKLY THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND CHEVROLET DOES NOT CARE. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO EITHER INCLUDE THIS FAULTY PART IN A 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY (AS THE ENGINE WILL NOT OPERATE WITHOUT IT) OR A RECALL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. IN THE EVENT THAT AN EQUINOX IS TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (SUCH AS ON A HIGHWAY) THE SITUATION COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FATAL INJURY. VIDEO OF THIS OCCURRING WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. *TR
Power train, Dec 28, 2014
WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ACROSS SCREEN COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DRIVE EVEN WITH GAS PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR RAN TEST CODE CAME UP THROTTLE BODY HAD TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT BATTERY TO MAKE OF WORK AGAIN. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE IN HALF AND MELTED ONE 02 CENSOR. NEVER HAD PROBLEM AGAIN TIL 12/27/14 AGAIN THE REDUCED POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 21, 2014
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON A GREEN LIGHT AT THE CORNER OF ARGYLE AND OAKLEAF SUNTRUST BANK WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND I WAS STUCK IN ONEWAY OPPOSITE TRAFFIC UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT AND THEN WAS A BLE TO GO INTO DRIVE, I WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH SEVERAL CARS. THEN I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON HWY 295 AND I HAD IT IN CRUISE CONTROL AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO QUIT UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE POWER TRAIN WAS SLIPPING AFTER I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AS BEFORE, SLIPPING, MAKING LOUD SCRATCHING NOISES.RUBBING NOISES AND IT SMELLED FUNNY LIKE IT WAS BURNING BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE. *TR
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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 31, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE 2011 EQUINOX WILL JERK OR JUMP AS IF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR IS BEING TURNED OFF IT SHAKES AS IF THE MOTOR IS GOING TO FALL OUT. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE AC BEFORE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF POSITION TO DECREASE SOME OF THE SHAKING, YET IT DOES NOT PREVENT IT. FURTHERMORE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX.. 30-35MPHS, THE CAR JUMPS TO 5TH GEAR WITHOUT ALLOWING TO ACCELERATE ANY FASTER IN THE MIST OF TRAFFIC.THE 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SHAKES AND MAKES A WINING NOISE WHILE IDLING. IT DOES SO TO THE POINT WHERE THE HOOD IS SHAKING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54000 MILES ON IT. ALSO I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE SEATBELT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE IT CUTS INTO MY NECK WHICH IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND A HUGE DISTRACTION. THIS CAR WILL NOW GO FORWARD IN DRIVE BUT IT WILL NOT REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Jun 22, 2014
TRYING TO PASS A TRUCK AT ABOUT 55 MPH I STEPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, ONLY TO SEE THE RPM'S RACE UP HIGH BUT NO ACCELERATION. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN SIX TIMES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT, ALL TO NO AVAIL. GM'S ANSWER IS "WE HAVE YOUR COMPLAINT DOCUMENTED". I HAVE NOT BOTHERED DOING ANYTHING SINCE SEPT 10, 2013, THINKING THAT MY PROBLEM MAY BE A FLUKE. THIS PAST WEEK I DROVE MY SON'S 2012 CHEVY EQUINOX (SAME CONFIGURATION - 4 CYL, 6 SPD TRANSMISSION) FROM HIS DUTY STATION, OVER 1,000 MILES TO HOME. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jun 7, 2014
LOSS OF POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER ACCELERATING,LETTING OFF OF GAS AND RE-ACCELERATING. LAG IN ENGINE/TRANSMISSION RESPONSE LEADS TO POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS! HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. 4 CYLINDER. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 20, 2014
THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES ANT INFREQUENT AND UNEXPECTED INTERVALS. IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO DEALERSHIPS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT RESOLUTION. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE MOTOR WILL LAG AND/OR DROP IN RPM SIMILAR TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR. THE LAG CREATES A 1-2 SECOND DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION PROPELLING THE VEHICLE FORWARD OR DOING SO AT A SPEED THAT IS CONSTANTLY INCREASING. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE AMOUNT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE IS DEPRESSED. THIS DELAY CREATES A SIGNIFICANT DELAY THAT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND HAS NEARLY RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INTERSECTION COLLISIONS. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 6, 2014
VEHICLE HAS HAD INORDINATE TRANSMISSION NOISE SINCE AROUND 10K MILEAGE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, WENT INTO INCREDIBLY ROUGH IDLE, VEHICLE SHAKING WITH WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT STABILITRACK ERROR AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. WHILE THIS INITIALLY HAPPENED WHILE IDLING, IT ALSO HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AT SPEEDS FROM 20-50 MPH AS REPORTED BY SPOUSE. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR UNACCEPTABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE SHUTTING OFF AND CEL ILLUMINATION (SEPARATE ISSUE THAT HAS ALSO NEVER BEEN REMEDIED), AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND FUEL PUMP WAS ALLUDED TO AND THAT A "FIX" FOR THIS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN LATE SPRING OF 2013. FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT NO CHARGE THAT SUMMER, BUT SIMILAR SYMPTOMS CONTINUED. LOUD, ROUGH IDLE, INTERMITTENT VEHICLE SHUTDOWNS. EVENTUALLY TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AND THAT THIS SOMEHOW WAS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS "USED" TO BE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION, IT SOMEHOW NO LONGER IS ON NEWER MODELS. AFTER A $500+ REPAIR, ISSUE HASN'T RECURRED IN LAST 3 MONTHS (SO FAR), BUT CEL STILL ILLUMINATES DURING WET CONDITIONS (WHICH BOTH DEALERS CANNOT SEEM TO FIX). I FEEL THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE ABOUT 10K MILES AND CONTINUES TO BE SO. WE ONLY OWN CHEVY'S BUT BETWEEN THIS VEHICLE AND OUR APPARENTLY DANGEROUS '05 COBALT, WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PUT OUR TRUST IN CHEVY AND WILL NEED TO SEEK OUT OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. IT IS APPARENT CHEVY ONLY CARES ABOUT THE MONEY WE CAN FUNNEL TO THEM FOR BUYING AMERICAN. THAT WILL STOP WITH THE NEXT VEHICLE PURCHASE THIS SUMMER WHEN WE TURN IN THE COBALT (FOR PROBABLY NEXT TO NOTHING DUE TO ITS NEW SAFETY REPUTATION). I MENTION THIS INFO AS WE REALLY WANT TO PUT OUR FAITH, TRUST AND MONEY INTO AN AMERICAN CAR CORPORTATION LIKE CHEVY AND HAVE BEEN OVERLY PATIENT WITH THEM. NO LONGER...OTHERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE ISSUES. *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, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2014
ENGINE LOSS OF POWER, WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN UNDER 5 DEG. F AT NIGHT.. ONSTAR ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE DAMAGE CONCERN AND POTENTIAL FIRE. DROVE VEHICLE IN "LIMP MODE" DIRECT TO SERVICING DEALERSHIP, DEALER ADVISED OF ENGINE CODE P2135 AND STATED VEHICLE REQUIRED A "THROTTLE BODY" REPLACEMENT (SAME AS ONSTAR), AT A FULL PARTS & LABOR COST OF ALMOST 500.00 DOLLARS. DEALER STATED THAT THIS REPAIR IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER GM'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (YET IS A P-CODE AND IS OBVIOUSLY POWERTRAIN RELATED AS IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY) OR THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. NOT ONLY IS THE FAILURE MODE DANGEROUS, SO IS THE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO THE CONDITION (REDUCED POWER). NOT HAVING THE ISSUE COVERED BY WARRANTY OF SOME TYPE MAKES IT EVEN WORSE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 16, 2014
ENGINE LOSS OF POWER, WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE. DROVE VEHICLE HOME IN "LIMP MODE" BEFORE TAKING TO SERVICING DEALERSHIP, THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY. DEALER PERFORMED BALANCE CHAIN REPAIR UNDER MANUFACTURER SPECIAL WARRANTY LETTER. AFTERWARDS, DEALER ADVISED OF ENGINE CODE P2135 AND STATED VEHICLE REQUIRED A "THROTTLE BODY" REPLACEMENT, AT A FULL PARTS & LABOR COST OF $583.00. DEALER STATED THAT THIS REPAIR IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER GM'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. MULTIPLE ONLINE POSTS INDICATE THAT THIS SAME LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH VEHICLES TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, WHICH WILL BE MUSH MORE DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2014
GOOD EVENING, 6 YEARS AGO I HAD A CHEVY COBALT AND EXPERIENCED THAT SITUATION. MY VEHICLE POWERED ITSELF OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WENT STRAIGHT FOR A WALL INSIDE A PARKING GARAGE. LATER THAT YEAR I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS I WAS ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE POWERED OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AND I DIDN'T GET KNOCKED OFF THE STREET OR EVEN WORSE KILLED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND MY CONCERN WAS SOMETHING UNHEARD. I EXPRESSED TO THEM MY CONCERN OF THAT HAPPENING ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY OR AN EXPRESSWAY. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DROPPED MY VEHICLE OFF THERE AND LEFT IT FOR A DAY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY BEFORE GETTING OFF THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS READY I WENT TO PICK IT UP AND THEY HAD ME WAITING FOR 30 MINUTES. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG THE SERVICE MANAGER REPLIED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS BACK THERE MAKING LOVE TO MY CAR. I COULDN'T FIND ANY HUMOR IN THE SITUATION BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.BEFORE I WAS NONCHALANTLY BRUSHED OFF AND TOLD IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I COULDN'T GET GM CORPORATE OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND HOW SERIOUS THIS ISSUE. IT WASN'T TILL NOW THAT I REALIZED THAT OTHERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE WITH GM AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ALL DO. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK IF YOU CAN. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 12, 2014
CRUISING ALONG AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT ALONG WITH REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME UP ON THE DASH. I LOST ENGINE POWER AND WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 15 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER & PARKED THE CAR. SHUT THE CAR OFF & WAITED ABOUT 1 MIN & TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. THE STABILITRAK & THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER CLEARED OFF MY DASH BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THEN WAS ABLE TO MERGE BACK INTO TRAFFIC & PICK UP THE 65 MPH SPEED. I WAS WORRIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN I HAD TO CROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR LATER, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAD EVEN TURNED OFF, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY/SOLENOID ISSUE & THAT IT NEEDS REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE PT WARRANTY. AS OTHERS HAVE ALSO SAID, I'M SEEING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE & WONDERING WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL? IT'S VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN. IF YOUR DOING 65-70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY & THERE ARE CARS CLOSE TO YOU & THE VEHICLE DECIDES TO DO THIS, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE GOING TO GET KILLED. *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 and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 20, 2013
RECEIVED NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET 2.4L ENGINE MAY CONTAIN 2 PARTS SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO WEAR. FAILURE OF EITHER PART HAS POTENTIAL TO RENDER VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND CAUSE MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. CHEVROLET'S PROPOSED FIX IS FOR OWNER TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO FAILURE AND THEN DELIVER IT TO A DEALER AND THEY WILL REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO THE PERSONAL SAFETY RISK OF BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LATE AT NIGHT OR ON SOME DESERTED HIGHWAY. CHEVROLET'S PROPOSED SOLUTION IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE; THE DEFECTIVE PARTS SHOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT WHILE WAITING FOR HELP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 15, 2013
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT SLOW-MID SPEEDS (LESS THAN 30 MPH), IT LOSES POWER. IT APPEARS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN GEAR AND ENGINE BOGS DOWN. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE DEALER HAS MADE 3 REPAIRS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, HOWEVER IT STILL OCCURS. LAST SERVICE WAS 6-5-13, PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN 6-14-13. OVERALL THIS HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN FEB. 2011. *TR
Power train, May 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEIZED IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY SLIPPED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHENEVER MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500. *TR