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.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 2, 2014
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS WINTER, THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE "ENGINE POWERING DOWN" & "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR COMMUTES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ENGINE SLOWS AND THE VEHICLE COMES TO A CRAWL WITHIN MINUTES - BARELY ENOUGH TIME TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, ALL ELECTRICAL CEASED, AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK. ALLOWING THE VEHICLE A 5 MINUTE BREAK THEN RESTARTING (RESETTING THE COMPUTER) FIXES THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, AND THERE ARE MANY EQUINOX OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY THING. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VOLUME ON THE RADIO DECREASED INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN THE RADIO VOLUME INCREASED TO THE MAXIMUM LIMIT. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Engine, Mar 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 05/27/14*LJ UPDATED 7/29/17 *CN UPDATED 08/22/2017 *CN
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
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER TWO HOURS. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWELVE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR EACH OCCURRENCE. THE REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 16, 2014
I GOT A WARNING THAT SAID SERVICE AIRBAGS. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AND THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND IT NEVER CAME BACK AND SO THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. ABOUT A WEEK WENT BY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN DISAPPEARED AGAIN. I CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED IT FOR 3 DAYS AND IT COULD COST QUITE A LOT OF MONEY. WHEN I READ ALL THE REPORTS OF OTHERS WHO HAD SEEN THIS SIGNAL IT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T STAY ON. I HAVE READ THAT IT COULD BE A SEAT BELT TRIGGER OR CAUSED BY THE HEAT, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED AS THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. MY CAR IS ALSO UNDER 60,000 MILES AND THIS SHOULDN'T BE A CONCERN AT THIS POINT. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS. I AM HEARING ABOUT MANY MYSELF. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2014
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND FIDDLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL IT FINALLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, I NOTICED IT WAS BENT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MALOUF CHEVROLET WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE, THEY CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DID HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW KEY IN WHICH I WAS CHARGED $80.72. THEN MONDAY NIGHT 3/10/14, I WENT SHOPPING, RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE, INSERTED MY KEY AND COULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON, IT WAS LOCKED UP AGAIN. I HAVE AN AUTO START ON MY VEHICLE WHICH I USED AND THEN WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Engine, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Steering, Engine, Mar 11, 2014
BOUGHT THE EQUINOX NEW IN APRIL 11 FOR MY DAUGHTER. HAD IT ABOUT 6 +/- MONTHS AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. IT WOULD LOOSE POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN AND ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STEERING WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HARD TO DO. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES SINCE THEN ALL FOR THE SAME REASONS. THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND LOOSES POWER. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR WITH NO ACCIDENTS. I AM HAVING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASONS. NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE USING A LOT OF OIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE, REPLACED ALOT OF FUSES AND WORKED ON THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS. I THINK, GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT FIXING THIS VEHICLE AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS OUT THERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. NHTSA, HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL DONE...? *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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Feb 25, 2014
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. THE ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP LAST WEEK AND HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR HOME ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 40 MPH. THIS MORNING I WAS GOING TO TRY TO GET IT TO WORK TO BE CLOSER TO SOMEONE WHO COULD CHECK THE CODE OUT ON IT BUT AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AND I BARELY GOT OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE CUT OUT ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS OF CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. THE SHOP IS SAYING THAT IF IT'S THE FUEL THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS WHAT I SUSPECT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A BULLETIN PUT OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS COVERED FOR AWHILE ON THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY PULLED THE BULLETIN AND NO LONGER COVER IT. I NEED HELP. GM KNOWS THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Engine, Feb 19, 2014
FIRST OFF, SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WHEN IN PARK ACTS LIKE IT MAY TURN OFF, BUT DOESN'T. CAN HEAR/FEEL THE VIBRATIONS LIKE ITS ABOUT TO. SECONDLY, THE MAIN REASON I'M ON THIS PAGE, THE A/C. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING OUT OF THE BLUE AND MAKING A NOISE. I TAKE IT IN AND TOLD THE CONDENSER HAS A LEAK AND NEEDS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CONDENSER WHICH IS MAKING THE NOISE. WOW, QUOTED FROM ONE PLACE $1,084 THE OTHER PLACE I ONLY GOT A QUOTE ON THE CONDENSER OF $424.. NO TELLING WHAT THE COMPRESSOR WILL BE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND SEEING SO MANY EQUINOX VEHICLES HAVING AC ISSUES I HOPED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARTS, UNFORTUNATELY NOT THE CASE. 2011 AND NEED A NEW CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR FOR A/C WOW!! CAR SHAKING LIKE ITS GONNA DIE... WOW!! THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO.. AND HAVING TO SINK IN OVER $1000 FOR THESE REPLACEMENTS! NO TELLING WHAT THE ENGINE VIBRATION DURING IDLE IS FROM, GOING TO HAVE THAT CHECKED OUT SOON. OH AND ONE OTHER THING, WHEN A TIRE IS LOW, IT APPEARS TO SHOWS UP BACKWARDS ON THE SCREEN. *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
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 11, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET GOING 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A ENGINE CLUNK ( 4 CYL) AND THEN RAPID DECELERATION WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING VERY ROUGH. OF COURSE THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL MILES AWAY AND WAS LUCKY TO GET THERE AS THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING SO BADLY. THE DEALERSHIP WILL MAKE THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIR, CHANGE SOME SENSORS AND FOOL WITH THE TIMING BELT, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE SAFETY ISSUE. REVIEWING THE PRIOR COMPLAINTS, IT WAS SCARY HEARING ABOUT THOSE HAVING PROBLEMS ON THE INTERSTATES. YES, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY GENERAL MOTORS. RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. THE LADY AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE GAUL TO SAY, "DIDN'T YOU HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED WHEN YOU GOT YOUR OIL CHANGED".I SAID LADY, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A THROTTLE BODY IS AND IF IT IS SO IMPORTANT, THEN THE DEALER SHOULD DO IT AUTOMATICALLY. GOOD LUCK, IT WILL COST ME $400.00, THEY SAID TODAY. WHO KNOWS WHAT TOMORROW WILL BRING. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 10, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A WINDOW. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 6, 2014
STARTED ACCELERATING & WHEN I GOT TO 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER RAPIDLY & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT ALONG WITH REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME UP ON THE DASH. I WENT FROM 55 MPH TO 20 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO GO FASTER THEN 16 MPH. I QUICKLY PULLED BACK 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. I THEN WAS ABLE TO MERGE BACK INTO TRAFFIC & PICK UP THE 65 MPH SPEED. I CONTINUED TO WORK & HAD NO OTHER ISSUES UNTIL I PULLED INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT. THAT'S WHEN THE STABILITRAK & REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME BACK ON & I LOST POWER AGAIN. I PARKED THE CAR & CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. IT DIDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE THE WHOLE WAY TO DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THEY REPLACED A SENSOR & UPDATED THE COMPUTER WITH SOFTWARE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE & IT SEEMED FINE. WEEK LATER HAD THE SAME ISSUE. GOT ABOUT 5 MINS INTO MY TRIP & WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 60 & ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SERVICE STABILITRAK & THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME BACK ON & THE VEHICLE DROPPED MY SPEED OF 60 TO AROUND 17 MPH QUICKLY. THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I GOT OFF AN EXIT & PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THEY SENT A FLAT BED OUT TO GET VEHICLE. THEY CALLED & SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE & THAT IT NEEDS REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE PT WARRANTY. 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 ARE IN BIG TROUBLE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 31, 2014
I CAME TO A STOP AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON. I PRESSED GAS TO GO AND CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF 1ST GEAR, STAYED AT ABOUT 15 MPH. LESS THAN 1 MILE FROM HOME SO MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT. STARTED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, NO PROBLEMS AND DROVE MOST OF THE WEEK WITH NO ISSUES. SAME THING HAPPENED YESTERDAY AGAIN AND I PULLED OVER 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO RESTART TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY CALLED TODAY AND SAID THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS NOT COVERED ON POWER TRAIN AND WOULD BE $500 TO REPAIR. FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED LOOKING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET ASSISTANCE TO COVER REPAIR COST. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED ONCE AND IT WAS TERRIFYING TO GO FROM 60 TO ABOUT 30 IN 30 SECONDS WHEN CARS ALL AROUND ME ARE GOING 60 AND 70 MPH. *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
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 23, 2014
I WAS STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT AT 8PM THE CAR SHOOK AS I STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN LOW POWER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2011 EQUINOX. THE CAR POWERED DOWN TO 2 MPH, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I CALLED ONSTAR AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PHILLIPS CHEVROLET (GREAT SERVICE) IN FRANKFORT, IL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THE COST WAS $100.00 TO ME, WITHOUT THE WARRANTY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN $600.00 TO FIX. I ASKED IF HE HAS REPLACED MANY THROTTLE BODIES IN THIS MODEL CAR HE SAID QUITE A FEW. THE CAR WAS FIXED. I EMAILED CHEVROLET AND ASKED HOW MANY THROTTLE BODIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN ALL CARS, THEY SAID NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR. I WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THEIR ANSWER, THAT WAS NOT MY QUESTION. CHEVROLET CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT A PERSON WOULD CALL ME ABOUT MY CONCERN. THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THE SAME STORY, NO RECALLS AND THE DEALER COULD HAVE BEEN LYING TO ME, WHICH MADE ME UPSET. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR AND HE TOLD THERE WERE NO RECORDS KEPT OF HOW MANY THROTTLE BODIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THAT CHEVY WOULD FIX ONLY IF MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM AND A CHAIN BELT PROBLEM THAT COULD A CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEM TO THE ENGINE IF THE CAR SHOWED SYMPTOMS. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THAT ANSWER EITHER. I WILL TAKE MY CAR IN FOR A CHAIN BELT AND FUEL PUMP CHECK NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THE SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT YOUR AGENCY ABOUT MY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION, HOW MANY THROTTLE BODIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN CHEVROLET CARS? WHY DID THIS HAPPEN AND WILL A RECALL BE ISSUED? THANK YOU. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 5, 2014
THE STABILITRAK AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON OUR 2011 EQUINOX HAVE COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR VIBRATES AND LOOSES POWER. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ON THE FREEWAY, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT A COST OF $200, HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ONCE AGAIN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I ALSO CONTACTED GM. BOTH THE GM REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CHEVY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES AND ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED A DEFINITIVE CAUSE OR SOLUTION. AND WHILE GM COVERED $300 OF THE SECOND REPAIR, IT STILL COST US $100. WE ARE NOW OUT $300 IN REPAIRS SO FAR FOR THIS DEFECT WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. WE NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 16, 2013
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD AUTOZONE RUN ON COMPUTER, CAME BACK CODE P0011, FOUND RECALL ON CODE IN 2011(11195A), CAR IS DOING SAME THING AS RECALL STATED, I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL, I EXPLAINED PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD NOT TELL IF PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ALL THEY SAID WAS TAKE TO DEALER. GM TOLD ME SO ES VINS WERE RECALLED, BUT NOT ALL, COULDN'T TELL ME WHY THIS ONE WAS NOT RECALLED EVEN THOUGH IT IS DOING SAME THING. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 15, 2013, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT OR ABOVE THE MFG. THRESHOLDS.WHICH CAUSED FOR NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND SIGNIFICANT FACIAL TRAUMA ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SEAT BELT PRETENSTIONERS ALSO DID PRETENSION CAUSING THE UPPER TORSO TO GO FORWARD AND CAUSE THE FACIAL TRAUMA ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR