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: visibility/wiper
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE HOME SLOWLY IN THE INCLEMENT WEATHER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TRAVELING AT 65MPH IN THE RAIN WHEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR WAS WORKING, STATING THAT IT WAS HEARD. THE WIPER TRANSMISSION ON THE OTHER HAND HAD STOPPED. THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS WERE LOOSE AND SNAPPED OFF. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME REPLACING THEM IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. GOING TO CHANGE THE WHOLE SYSTEM NOW.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 13, 2019
I WAS ON MY WAY BACK 1 HOUR INTO A 5 HOUR TRIP FROM WASHINGTON DC TO NEW YORK. IT WAS POURING RAIN AND THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I HAD 3 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FLIPPED OFF OF THE DRIVERS SIDE AND STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO BACK ON. I COULD SEE NOTHING. IT WAS TERRIFYING. MY KIDS AND I ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE TODAY. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE SHORT BREAKS IN THE RAIN SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PARK IN A SAFE PLACE, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE SO MANY REPORTS ON CAR GURUS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SAME YEAR, SAME MAKE MODEL, AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 31, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. A PLASTIC BUSHING BROKE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING PROBLEM, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THE CHEVROLET EQUNIOX.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2019
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND OIL RUNS OUT WELL BEFORE RECOMMEND OIL CHANGE AND NO LOW OIL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. CAR BURNS A LOT OF OIL AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM ENGINE BUT TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS BRAND.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2018
WIPER MODULE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING RAIN STORM. I WAS DRIVING ON A 70 MILE AN HOUR HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. DRIVER'S WIPER BLADE WENT OFF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE LEFT AND WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER THAT.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Dec 14, 2018
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR LINK BREAKS WHENEVER I USE MY WIPERS AND THEN I NEED TO REPLACE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. OIL IS EMPTY AFTER NO MORE THEN 2000 MILES. NEED TO ADD 4 QUARTS TO REFILL. NO LEAKS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 6, 2018
WIPERS FAILED IN RAINSTORM. WAS TRAVELLING ON RT 81 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH NEAR BINGHAMPTON, NY..
Visibility/wiper, Dec 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM MY VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY LOST FUNCTION. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MY HOME TO TAKE A COUPLE BACK ROADS AND DRIVE VERY SLOWLY WITH ALMOST NO VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET WITH HIGH STANDING WATER AND WAS BEING OPERATED AT ABOUT 25MPH. MY VEHICLE YEAR IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECALL BY THE NHTSA FOR THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY RUSTING AND BREAKING. IN THE MEAN TIME I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONSERVATIVELY REPAIR THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AT 80,000 MILES, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY BILL FOX CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 725 S ROCHESTER RD, ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307, (248) 266-0563). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (JOE BOWMAN CHEVROLET, 2455 E MARKET ST, HARRISONBURG, VA 22801, (540) 908-2809) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING WIPERS FROZE DURING HEAVY RAIN. UPDATED 11/21/18*JB
Visibility/wiper, Sep 20, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I75 WHEN IT STARTED RAINING THEN POURING,I TURNED ON MY WIPERS AND THEY WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES. THEN STOPPED WORKING ,I COULD STILL HEAR THE MOTER WORKING ,BUT NO MOVEMENT FROM HE WIPERBLADES.TTRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I COULD NOT SEE ,I TURNED ON MY FLASHERS AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN I WAITED TILL THE RAIN STOPPED TO DRIVE HOME
Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2018
DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET IN THE RAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING BUSHING CAME APART. NO RECALL ON PART HOLE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2018
WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. A SUDDEN TORRENTIAL RAIN CAME. I TURNED MY WIPERS ON HIGH AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. I COULD NOT SEE SO I HAD TO QUICKLY PUT ON MY WIPERS AND SLOWLY PULL TO THE SIDE IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY TRAFFIC LEAVING THE PARK
Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2018
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. MOTOR DOES RUN.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, May 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPER BLADE MOTOR AND LINKAGE BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM TAYLOR CHEVROLET (139 GRIMSHAW ST, RAYVILLE, LA 71269), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,012.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2018
MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING TODAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, I PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST DIED BECAUSE THEY WAS NO SHOULDER LANE AT THE TIME. MY FRIEND CAME AND GUIDED ME ON BASE AT A LOCAL SHOP. I TALKED TO CHEVY THEY DID NOT CARE STATING THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS YEAR. I THOUGHT THAT WAS STUPID BECAUSE IT WAS THE SAME PART. CHEVY HAD RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, SAME MAKE, MODEL OF THE NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2018
DURING HEAVY RAIN STORM WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING @ 65 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH STOPPED WORKING. THE ARM THAT LINKS THE MOTOR TO THE WIPER TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED. VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED DURING RUSH HOUR. GENERAL MOTORS CALLS THE PART THAT FAILED WIPER TRANSMISSION. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE CHEVROLET PARTS DEPT EMPLOYEE HE STATED ITS A VERY COMMON FAILURE AND ITS THE EXACT PART THAT IS RECALLED ON 2013 EQUINOX.
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 22, 2018
WIPER BLADE MOTOR STOPPED WORKING IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR. I WAS ON A ROAD I KNOW SO WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY. IF I DIDN'T KNOW THIS ROAD I AM POSITIVE I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE MANIFOLD WAS CHANGED IN 2013. TODAY IS MARCH 22, 2018. LAST WEEK I HAD THE MANIFOLD CHANGED AGAIN. CRACKED AGAIN. THERE WERE FUMES COMING INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. THE CAR IS IN THE REPAIR GARAGE AGAIN BECAUSE THE FUMES ARE EVEN WORSE. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A LOUD TICKING SOUND. IT USES A LOT OF OIL. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THEY DID AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND SAID THE OIL USE WAS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL RANGE WHEN I PUT A COUPLE QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 200 MILES. THIS CAR IS JUNK.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2018
CHEVY PLACE WHERE I TAKE IT IN QUINCY FLORIDA SAID THEY CHECK IT QUOTE ? RIGHT! ) BUT HAD TO GOT AND PAID AT A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF THERE CUSTOMER TO CHECK FOR ME AND THE SAID THIS NOT RIGHT PART FOR THIS SUV 2011 THAT WHY IT KEEP MAKING THEY NOISES AND DAMAGING THE SIDE OF MY BACK WINDOW CASE NOT THE RIGHT ARM FOR THE BACK WINDOW ARM PUTTING A MOTOR HIT HARD STRAIN. LET I SAID CHEVY IN QUINCY FLORIDA SAID THEY FIT BUT IT STILL DO IT
Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY MAIN THOROUGHFARE DURING A RAINSTORM MY WINDSHILED WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I QUICKLY CUT ON MY HAZARDS AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HEAR A MOTOR HUM WHEN I TURNED THE WIPERS ON BUT THEY NEVER MOVED. WE WERE STRANDED TO AN HOUR UNTIL THE STORM PASSED AND I COULD SEE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER SO QUICKLY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2017
10-10-2017 - WHILE DRIVING HOME DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, WIPERS GOING FULL SPEED, WIPERS STOPPED WITH ONE WIPER GOING OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, OTHER WIPER STOPPED IN MY DRIVING VIEW. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET PARKED, I LAID THE WIPER BLADES DOWN, TRIED THE GET THEM TO WORK BUT ONLY HEARD THE MOTOR RUN, WIPERS NOT MOVING. HAD THEM CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW WIPER TRANSMISSION. THIS ONE HAD A WORN OUT PART THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO POP OUT OF SOCKET IF USED. I'VE READ OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING. GM NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS. GM WIPER MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION IS ROUGHLY $150.00 AT THE DEALERSHIP PLUS THEIR LABOR COST. THIS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT SO SOON ON A 2011 MODEL.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2017
THE WINDSHIELD PIPER CAME LOOSE AND SLAMMED AGAINST MY WINDOW
Visibility/wiper, Aug 21, 2017
DRIVING IN A BAD RAINSTORM THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WAS NESS. TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WAIT OUT THE STORM.HAD TO REPLACE THE WIPER ASM. BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION ARM POPPED OFF OF THE MOTOR.BAD DESIGN GM. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!