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, Engine, Feb 22, 2013
ON 18 DEC 2012 THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT. TEN MINUTES LATER THE CAR LOST ALL POWER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. . . . THE CAR WAS DEAD. POLICE ARRIVED TO WARN ME OF BEING IN A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT. I WAS TOWED BY AAA TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP = OIL/FILTER CHANGE. ODOMETER - 9778. THE OLD PROBLEM RECURRED TODAY 22 FEB 2013. ODOMETER 10329 SLUGGISHNESS, SLOW RESPONSE TO ACCELERATION, DIED TWICE IN REVERSE, AND GENERAL UNDEPENDABLE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2013
2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASION, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RE-ENGAGE WHILE MAKING A SLOW ROLLING TURN FROM A CENTER TURNING LANE INTO A DRIVEWAY. IN BOTH SITUATION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE LEAVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN EACH SITUATION, THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE PLACED IN PARK, SHUT OF AND THEN RE-STARTED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2012 AND THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2013. THE DEALER EXAMINED AND TESTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM.
Power train, Feb 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CHECK STABILIZATION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT, THE ENGINE CUT POWER WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS A NEW THROTTLE BODY. HOWEVER, THE PART IS BACK ORDERED AND NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE. I WAS JUST FORTUNATE THAT ANOTHER CAR WAS NOT BEHIND ME WHEN THE ENGINE CUT POWER. I HAVE CALLED GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN EVEN IF I REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Power train, Jul 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE GEAR DISENGAGED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND CONTACT NHTSA. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
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, Jan 2, 2012
DEAR SIRS, SHIFT 1ST TO 2ND, COMPLETE LOCKUP FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS. AFTER TWO COMPLETE LOCKUPS IN A WEEK, EQUINOX NOW HAS 12000 MILES AND HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM EVERY WEEK OR SO. BAD SHIFTS 1ST TO 2ND AND 5TH TO 6TH.INCLUDING SLAM SHIFTS. DELAYS IN SHIFTS AND DOWN SHIFTS, AS MUCH AS REGULAR, 2 TO 4 SECONDS AND BAD ONES FROM 6 TO 8 SECONDS. FOR HARD DOWNSHIFTS( PASSING GEAR) CAR VERY SLUGGISH TO RESPOND. AFTER THOSE FATAL LOCKUPS, NOW HAS INTERMITTENT HARDWARE PROBLEMS. DEALERSHIP,WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THE SALES MANAGER TOLD ME TO TAKE MY CAR ELSEWHERE FOR SERVICE,BECAUSE I DID NOT GIVE HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT A GOOD SURVEY. GRADE . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Dec 28, 2011
MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX 4 CYLINDER SHIFTS HORRIBLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. IF YOU ACCELERATE TO APPROX. 20 MPH AND REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND THEN IT SHIFTS TO 3RD GEAR WITH A JOLT THAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK YOU WERE HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND IT IS LIKE AN ANCHOR WAS THROWN OUT THE BACK. RETURNED IT TO A CHEVY DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT BUT SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT ALL EQUINOX DO IT. THEY HAD THEIR DISTRICT MANAGER CHECK ON IT AND HE SAID THAT CHEVY DESIGNED IT TO DO THAT AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IT IS GOING BACK AGAIN TOMORROW TO A DIFFERENT DEALER BUT I EXPECT TO HERE THE SAME STORY. WHEN IMPORTS ARE DESIGNING CONSTANT VELOCITY TRANSMISSIONS THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN FEEL SHIFT, WHY WOULD GM DESIGN THEIRS TO JOLT YOU OUT OF YOUR SEAT. GUESS THEY NO LONGER WHAT MY BUSINESS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 8, 2011
AT 4000 MILES THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE CAR OVERHEATED. REPLACED RADIATOR. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS AND STILL IS A CLUNKING AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN UP-SHIFTING. THE CLUNK HAS BEEN SO DRAMATIC THAT I THOUGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKES PEOPLE IN THE BACK SICKER. ADDITIONALLY SOME WHERE ABOVE 30 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR HAS SEVERAL TIMES HESITATED AS IF RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THE GAS PEDDLE DOES NOT RESPOND PROPERLY, HESITATING BEFORE CATCHING ON. NOW AT 11,000 AND THREE RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THAT THIS IS HOW ALL EQUINOX CARS HAVE THIS DRIVE PERFORMANCE AND IT IS "NORMAL" . THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR AND HAD I BEEN TOLD THAT SOME EQUINOX DRIVE LIKE THIS, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR KNOWING THIS. I KNOW FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN 2009 AND STILL IS AND WAS SOLD A CAR THAT THEY KNEW COULD BE FAULTY WITHOUT A CURRENT SOFTWARE FIX. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN, ESPECIALLY KNOWING NOW THAT THEY CAN STALL AT 30 MILES AND HOUR. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 21, 2011
OWNED FOR 6 DAYS AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD HESITATION, STALLING, HARD SHIFT, RPM'S BOUNCE ALL OVER AND IT AUTO SHIFTS ALL OVER THE PLACE, TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, SMELLS LIKE IT RUNS RICH WHEN STARTED, DOWN SHIFTS GOING THRU THE MIDDLE OF TOWN AT 20 MPH AND THROWS ME FORWARD, SOME SHIFTING HESITATES LIKE IT STICKS IN NEUTRAL TEMPORARILY, HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP CONSTANTLY. GM HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING, I AM ALWAYS TOLD THAT IT IS A PART OR THAT IT IS UPDATES THAT COME FROM GM. PURCHASED MARCH 25, 2011 AND NOT ONE WK WITHOUT PROBLEMS. DEALER DOES NOT PROVIDE PAPERWORK FOR MOST VISITS. *TR
Power train, Nov 21, 2011
I STARTED MY CAR WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A JET ENGINE, LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO AIRBORNE. I ACCELERATED AND GOING ONLY 5 MPH THE RPM RACED TO 4,000. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS AND THE CAR JERKED. I ACCELERATED AGAIN GOING ONLY 5 MPH AND AGAIN THE RPM RACED TO 4,000. THE CAR JERKED AGAIN AND I FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I HAD JUST LEFT MY DRIVEWAY SO PULLED BACK IN AND CALLED MY DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED NOR WAS THERE A CODE. I HAVE THE CAR BACK BUT EXPECT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2011
I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE TAKING OFF. I PULLED OUT ON THE STREET, ACCELERATED AND NOTICED THE NEEDLE GO UP TO 4 RPM'S AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AN HOUR. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR JOLTED AND FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I ACCELERATED AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN FEELING LIKE I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY AT MY DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TODAY THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT FOR A GOOD DISTANCE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD READ ONE COMPLAINT ON THE EQUINOX FORUM WHERE SOMEONE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR HAPPENED TO THEM WITH THE RPM STICKING AT 4 RPM'S. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND ASK IF MAYBE THEY ARE RELATED PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2011
CAR JERKED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR SHUT OFF. UPON STARTING VEHICLE, THERE WAS A RATTLE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND RECALL #11195 WAS DONE, TO INCLUDE AN OIL CHANGE. *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
Power train, Sep 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. WHEN THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Power train, Aug 16, 2011
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT WILL EITHER HANG UP IN THE LAST GEAR OR SHIFT HARD WITH A CLUNK INTO THE NEXT GEAR. HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL FOR A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. MY 2007 EQUINOX ALSO HAD A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND NEVER SHIFTED LIKE THIS 2011 DOES. THIS IS THE 6TH CHEVROLET I'VE BOUGHT SINCE 2000. THINK THEY WOULD TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BEFORE I OPT FOR ANOTHER AUTO MAKER. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 11, 2011
2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE OPERATION AND SAFETY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, DUE TO IT RUNNING ROUGH, LOSS OF POWER, AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE, A STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND AN ATTEMPTED REPAIR OF THE PCM AND THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE TAC. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE DEFECTS. *JB
Power train, Aug 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND THIRD GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Aug 8, 2011
FAILURE 1: WHILE SLOWING AND BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. MILEAGE WAS APPROX. 300. FAILURE 2: AT APPROX. 20 T0 25 MPH I APPLIED MODERATE BRAKING AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN APPLIED FULL HARD PRESSURE AND NOTHING. I THEN RELEASED AND REAPPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE AND IT WORKED JUST IN TIME. IF I WAS AT A HIGHER SPEED I COULD HAVE KILLED A PEDESTRIAN AND THEY WOULD HAVE BLAMED ME AFTER THE COPS VERIFIED BRAKES WORKED FOR THEM. APPROX. MILEAGE 750
Power train, Jun 13, 2011
CHEVROLET EQUINOX TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT KICKBACK AT THIRD SHIFT. AT 20 MILES WHEN YOU PULL OUT GAS PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION IMPACT LIKE A KICKBACK. WE HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER ON TWO TIMES NOW, AND THEY SAID THAT'S NORMAL. *TR
Power train, Jun 1, 2011
2011 CHEVY EQUINOX TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND AT TIMES THE CAR WILL SEEM TO WANT TO DIE OUT. 6600 MILESAND I SEE ONLINE THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT MY WIFE TO BREAK DOWN OR GET INTO A CRASH BECAUSE OF THE TRANS NOT ENGAGING. *TR