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
782 reports, newest first.
Power train, Engine, Feb 14, 2019
THE CAR HAS BEGAN USING RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF OIL, I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED HAVING ISSUES IT LITERALLY JUST PASSED THE 100K MILEAGE MARK AND THIS STARTED, AS IF IT WAS TIMED BY THE WARRANTY, I SEE TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE
Engine, Feb 11, 2019
ON 2.2.2019 AROUND 11AM I LEFT WORK RESTORATION HARDWARE OUTLET 301 W MAIN ST, CHRISTIANA, DE 19702 AND DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO GET LUNCH AT ACME 1 UNIVERSITY PLAZA, NEWARK, DE 19702. IT WAS 28* OUT AND WE HAD A FEW DAYS OF BELOW 32*. AS I WAS LEAVING THE ACME PARKING LOT ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH. I IMMEDIATLEY STOPPED AND SHUT OFF CAR. ACROSS THE STREET WAS AN EXXON STATION ON 300 CHAPMAN RD, NEWARK, DE 19713. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID I WAS LEAKING OIL. HE PUT IN A QUART THEN ANOTHER IT CAME RIGHT BACK OUT AND SAID IT COULD BE A REAR MAIN SEAL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 'THAT STATED---- PLUGGED PCV ORIFICE IN INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THE 2010-2014 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ECOTEC ENGINE (LAF, LEA OR LUK) 2.4L ENGINE (LAF, LEA OR LUK) THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE A FROZEN AND/OR PLUGGED PCV (POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION) SYSTEM DURING COLD WEATHER OPERATION. THIS CONDITION MAY INCREASE CRANKCASE PRESSURE LEADING TO A REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL OIL LEAK. I KNOW THAT GM NEEDED TO LOOK AT THIS SO I HAD IT TOWED TO DIVER CHEVROLET 2101 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806 (302) 482-8359. ALMOST A WEEK LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT AND THATS WHAT WAS STATED ON THE SERVICE ORDER. I ASKED ABOUT THE MARCH 2015 BULLETIN NO.: 14882 . THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT GROUP AND IT WOULD BE $3200 TO FIX. I ASKED HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN IT CLEARLY IS THE SAME ISSUE STATED IN THE BULLETIN EXACTLY. COLD TEMPS, FROZEN PVC, BLOWN REAR MAIN. I WAS EVEN TOLD A FEW CAR WERE IN DURING THAT COLD SNAP WITH SAME ISSUE, BUT THOSE CAR HAD EXT WARRANTY OR WERE PART OF THE GROUP VIN . SO NOW IM HERE TRYING TO GET HELP FROM YOU. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IM A SINGLE MOM WITH 2 KIDS AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Engine, Feb 7, 2019
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND SMOKING, DIED WHILE MOVING. ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO NO OIL. ADDED 1 QT OF OIL THE DAY BEFORE. LOW OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED WITHIN 3,000 MILES. CAR NEEDS WHOLE NEW ENGINE.
Power train, Feb 6, 2019
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM LISTED IN A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON 9/13/11. THE BULLETIN NUMBER IS 11195B. IN SPEAKING TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY TELL ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I'M WRITING TO SEE IF THIS WAS AN OVERSIGHT OR IF ANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES LISTED IN THIS RECALL HAVE INDICATED THEY'RE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Engine, Feb 6, 2019
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, MANUFACTURER WON'T HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE IT EXPIRED 4 MONTHS AGO, DESPITE MILEAGE BEING HALF TO REQUIREMENT. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY OR IT'S EXPIRATION.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2019
THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE, BULLETIN #14882 IS EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE AND I AM UNDER THE 10-YEAR, 120K TIME FRAME. YET APPARENTLY MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH UP SO I DON'T GET COVERAGE. HTTPS://GM.OEMDTC.COM/1899/SPECIAL-COVERAGE-ADJUSTMENT-PLUGGED-PCV-ORIFICE-IN-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-2010-2014-BUICK-CHEVROLET-GMC I WAS SOLD THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2016. I COMPLAINED ABOUT EXCESSIVE OIL USE VIA EMAIL AND MY COMPLAINT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED. BULLETIN 12585C WAS RELEASED BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH OF 2016, SO JEFF BELZER CHEVROLET OF LAKEVILLE, MN SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE WITH THE PISTON ISSUE INSTEAD OF COVERING THEM. NOW THAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL COVERAGES, I AM OUTSIDE OF THE TIME FRAME FOR COVERAGE AND I FEEL SLIGHTED AND CHEATED. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN AND INSTEAD OF CHEVROLET HOLDING A SEMI-DECENT STANDARD, I AM LEFT WITH THE BILL. HTTPS://GM.OEMDTC.COM/3953/EXCESSIVE-ENGINE-OIL-CONSUMPTION-2011-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX-GMC-TERRAIN
Engine, Jan 29, 2019
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 11/16/2015 AND I START HAVING PROBLEMS IN JUNE/2016 GOT IT FIX,THEN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AND I HAD IT REPLACED, I ALREADY SPEND LIKE 5000.00 DOLLARS NOW IT'S THE ENGINE IT WILL COST CLOSE TO 7.000.00 TO FIX IT NOW, I STILL OWE 1.500.00 JUST DO THE MATH,I WAS TOLD THAT THOSE VEHICLES CAME OUT WITH MANY IMPERFECTIONS I JUST FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL I HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX IT AND EVEN IF I DO WILL IT WORTH IT? THE VERY FIRST IT BROKE I WAS ON TRAVELING TO NEW MEXICO, THE TRANSMISSION BROKE HERE IN TOWN HWY 60 AND THE ENGINE HERE IN TOWN AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 26, 2019
MASSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE AND REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2019
REAR SEAL BLOW OUT DUE TO PVC BEING CLOGGED
Visibility, Jan 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST WAS INOPERABLE. GREY CHEVROLET (4949 SW HOVDE RD, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98367, (360) 329-2916) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine, Jan 23, 2019
VEHICLE LEAKING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. BULLETIN NUMBER 14882 DOESN'T COVER MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE BULLETIN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2019
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN EVERY OTHER WEEK. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THEY REPAIRED IT THE CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WHEN I'M AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR DRIVES ROUGH LIKE A JERKING SENSATION AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.
Power train, Engine, Jan 18, 2019
I OWN 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES. FIRST OCCURRENCE STARTED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME COUPLE OF TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING OR AT STOP SIGN. MALFUNCTION ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT TURNED ON. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO LOOK AT IT FOR AN ESTIMATE, SINCE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WILL COST AN ARM AND A LEG, BOTH SAID TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEED TO GET A NEW MOTOR! ALSO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION YET NO SENSOR TURNS ON. CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS BUT ONLY SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!
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.
Engine, Jan 8, 2019
ERROR CODE P010 CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID. ROUGH IDLE, DIES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.OR WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON CARS BUILT IN DIFFERENT FACTORIES, THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR MINE BECAUSE IT WASNT MADE IN ONE OF THOSE FACTORIES. HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE SINCE VEHICLE WAS 3 MONTHS OLD. CHEVY DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES
Engine, Jan 3, 2019
THE ENGINE IS A 2.4L ECOTEC ENGINE WHICH I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPAIRED TWICE IN BASICALLY TWO YEARS BUT IF YOU LOOK ON-LINE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS ENGINE MODEL. IT STARTS OFF AS A CHECK ENGINE FAULT CODE, RELATED TO EXHAUST OR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BUT THE ISSUE TENDS TO BE A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHILE RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON-LINE, I SEE NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS ECOTEC 2.4L ENGINE HAVING THIS ISSUE-AND ON DIFFERENT GM MODELS OF CARS.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO 1OWNERCAR (410 W OAK LN, GLENOLDEN, PA 19036, (610) 915-3417) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, STARTER, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Power train, Engine, Dec 21, 2018
PCV SYSTEM FREEZES CAUSING THE LOW POWER MODE (LIMP MODE) AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. ITS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND GM COVERED IT ON A FEW CARS. NEXT TIME I MAY BE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Power train, Dec 19, 2018
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT
Engine, Dec 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENT CHEVROLET CADILLAC (1413 HWY 62 E, MOUNTAIN HOME, AR 72653, (870) 495-2605) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
Engine, Dec 17, 2018
I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IT NOW NEEDS A MOTOR I JUST GOT IT 7 MONTHS AGO FROM DEALER. NO WARRANTY. ENGINE SEIZED
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.
Engine, Dec 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND AN ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 13, 2018
THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON EVEN THOUGH STUFF WAS REPLACED