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.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2012, crash
2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM FROM A SIDE STREET, ON HIS RIGHT SIDE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE, WHEN THAT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2012
I BOUGHT MY 2011 EQUINOX IN DEC. 2011. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE STARTER IS NOT ENGAGING RIGHT. I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS, SO I HOPE GM WILL INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT MESS UP THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 46 YRS & NEVER HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2012
THE 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX I PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 8TH 2011 BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING THE FIRST TIME I STARTED IT AFTER DRIVING IT HOME (500 MILES) FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ON STARTUP THERE WAS A LOUD 3-4 SECOND RATTLE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (ALMOST AS IF LOW ON OIL). THIS RATTLE WAS EVIDENT WHETHER THE ENGINE WAS HOT, WARM, OR COLD. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON 10/11/2011. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND GAVE ME BACK MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE NEXT DAY THE RATTLE WAS STILL THERE. ON 10/31/2011 I RETURNED MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME A SOUND INSULATOR WAS INSTALLED ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE/FUEL PUMP. THE NEXT DAY THE RATTLE WAS STILL THERE. ON APPROXIMATELY 1/20/2012 MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX BEGAN IDLING ROUGH, STALLING, AND THROWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I RETURNED MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/27/2012. ON 2/3/2012 I WAS GIVEN BACK MY VEHICLE AND TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED AND APPEARED TO BE RUNNING OK WITH NO RATTLE. I TOOK MY NEW CHEVROLET EQUINOX HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY DRIVEWAY TO FIND AN OIL PUDDLE UNDER IT THE NEXT MORNING. IN MY 53 YEARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT LEAKED OIL, LET ALONE ONE THAT DOES WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TWO DAYS. THERE ARE OTHER SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON THIS VEHICLE THAT PERTAIN TO THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT COMPLETED THEM AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE ALSO BULLETINS AND INFORMATION THAT MENTION DEBRIS AND MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES (THIS SPEAKS OF LONG TERM ENGINE DAMAGE TO ME). FOR $31,000 I WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN THIS IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY CHEVROLET "STEPS UP TO THE PLATE" AND MAKES THINGS RIGHT. *TR
Steering, Feb 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME PRESSURE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2012
CAR STALLED-OUT COMPLETELY CUT OFF GOING DOWN ROAD. *TR
Air bags, Jan 13, 2012
LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS ON A CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2011 DEPLOYED AFTER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BUMPED A CONCRETE HIGHWAY DIVIDER. THE ONLY EXTERIOR DAMAGE WAS A FLAT TIRE. BUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH INTERIOR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS CAUSED $3400 WORTH OF INTERIOR DAMAGE. NO PERSONAL INJURIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 9, 2012
CONCERNING 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX 4CYL, ON STARTUP, THERE WILL BE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, SOUNDS AS IF THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE, SOUND LASTS FROM 1-5 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. MOST OF THE TIMES IT WILL DO IT ON FIRST START-UP OF THE DAY BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW TIMES WHERE IT HAS DONE IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CAM ACTUATOR AND SOLENOID, WHICH I HAD TO BRING BACK AGAIN (#5) BECAUSE THE GASKET WAS SEATED INCORRECTLY AND WAS LEAKING OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY. SERVICE ACCOUNT MANAGER HAS HEARD THE NOISE THE FIRST TIME I BOUGHT IT IN AND THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, BOTH TIMES THE SOUND LASTED ABOUT 1 SECOND, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH THAT BOTH OF US HEARD IT, NOT AS LONG AS THE TIMES WHEN STARTING AT HOME, PROBABLY BECAUSE THOSE WERE ON FIRST START-UP OF THE DAY WHEREAS THE TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS EITHER ALREADY RUNNING OR WAS STARTED A FEW TIMES THAT DAY. THEY ALSO REPLACED A HIGH PRESSURE PUMP INSULATOR COVER FOR A TICKING NOISE THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KNOCKING NOISE. ALSO HAVE MENTIONED TO THEM THAT WHILE ACCELERATING (FROM DEAD STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, GOING UP ON-RAMPS TO HIGHWAYS AND MERGING INTO HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC), THE RPM'S WILL DROP DOWN TO ZERO AND CAR ALMOST STALLS THEN IT KICKS BACK INTO GEAR (UP TO 6500 RPMS), THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES, AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM EITHER. I HAVE TRIED ALL 3 GRADES OF GASOLINE AND ISSUES WERE PRESENT WITH ALL 3. AT THIS POINT IT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND I FEEL AS THOUGH ONE DAY THE ENGINE WILL HAVE MORE SERIOUS ISSUES BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES.
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 1, 2012
WHILE WAITING ON RED LIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR STARTED STALLING, LOOSING RPM AND ENGINE STOPPED.I STARTED IT AGAIN AND RELEASED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE GAS SLOWLY TO GET THRU THE INTERSECTION AND THE CAR BEGAN LOOSING RPM AGAIN AND ALMOST STALLED AGAIN PUT ME AND MY BABY IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CHEVY EQUINOX ENGINE AND GM HAS TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED ON THE ROAD OR CAUSE CHAIN ACCIDENT BECAUSE ENGINE STALLS. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2011
VECHILE WILL SHAKE BACK AND FORTH EVERYTIME IM ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO PRESS GAS. CAR ODOMETER GOES TO 0 AND I HAVE NO POWER TO THE VECHILE, THE VECHILE JUST DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ALREADY OVER ISSUE THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2011
THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER A RECALL - #11195B PRODUCT EMISSIONS POOR DRIVEABILITY - REPROGRAM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THIS RECALL, IF NOT DONE PROPERLY OR WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME CAUSES SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE TIMING CHAIN, THE TIMING GEARS AND OTHER CAM SHAFT PARTS. OUR DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IN A REASONABLE TIME. *KB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2011
DROVE IT. TURNED IT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES. WENT TO START IT BACK UP AND WOULD NOT START. WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY SENT SOMEONE TO JUMP IT. WOULD NOT START 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT. THE NEIGHBOR AND MY FIANCEE HAD TO JUMP IT BOTH TIMES. THAT WAS WITHIN 3 DAYS. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE. SAID IT WAS A PROGRAM TELLING MY CAR NOT TO START. THEY RE-PROGRAMMED MY CAR. WORKED FOR A WEEK. THEN WENT TO GET IN IT TO GO TO WORK AGAIN AND WOULD NOT START. THAT WAS A SATURDAY. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON TUESDAY BECAUSE THEY NEED TO FIX A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. LET THEM KNOW IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALSO, WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THE FIRST TIME ONSTAR CAME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING BUT MY WHEELS WEREN'T. HAD MY BOSS WITH ME TO WITNESS THIS. AFTER 6 TRIES THE WHEELS FINALLY TURNED TO ALLOW ME TO BACK OUT OF MY SPACE. THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT THAT THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM MAY HAVE JUST BEEN TAKING A WHILE TO KICK IN. *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
Electrical system, Equipment, Nov 6, 2011, crash
IN SEPTEMBER 2011, SIX WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A HEAVY-DUTY PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS SO RATTLED BY THE COLLISION THAT I FORGOT THAT I HAD ONSTAR. THE OTHER DRIVER USED HIS CELL PHONE TO CALL THE POLICE. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES DURING THE ACCIDENT. A FEW DAYS LATER I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ONSTAR DID NOT CONTACT ME RIGHT AFTER THE COLLISION. HE CALLED ONSTAR AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THE REAR SENSORS SHOULD HAVE SIGNALED A COLLISION, BUT, BECAUSE THE SENSORS DID NOT ACTIVATE, ONSTAR WOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO GM. THE REP ALSO TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND GM MANAGEMENT IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REP OFFERED TO EXTEND OUR ONSTAR TRIAL PERIOD FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS. IF GM IS AWARE OF THE REAR SENSOR MALFUNCTION, WHY AREN'T THEY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM? INSTEAD THEY ARE PLACATING CUSTOMERS WITH AN EXTENSION OF ONSTAR SERVICE. WHAT HAPPENS IF A MORE SERIOUS REAR-END CRASH OCCURS, THE DRIVER IS UNCONSCIOUS, AND CAN'T CALL FOR HELP? I WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM OF THE MALFUNCTIONING REAR SENSORS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2011
MY 2011 EQUINOX HAS JUST NOW STARTED SHOWING SOME "STICKING" IN THE STEERING MECHANISM WHEN MAKING SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60-70MPH). IT REQUIRED ME TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAUSING OVER STEER. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE NEXT LANE. THE CONDITION IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING TO TURN LEFT. IT IS BARELY NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS BUT CAN BE DETECTED. THE EQUINOX WAS PUT INTO SERVICE IN MARCH 2011. THIS BEING AN ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING THE PROBLEM COULD IN THE RACK, ECM PROGRAMMING OR THE DRIVE MOTOR. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER ON 10/31/11 THEY FOUND NOTHING! VIEW DETAILS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 31, 2011
ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS, VEHICLE TOWED CAR HAD RECALL FOR PROBLEM. RPM`S GO UP AND DOWN AT IDLE STILL HESITATES EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE HAS ENGINE KNOCK AT START UP DEALER CANT REPRODUCE, BEEN THRU ONE GM BUY BACK ON CHEVY MALIBU WITH STEERING PROBLEMS,AND ENGINE KNOCK. THIS WAS A FOUR CYL. AND THE EQUINOX IS A 4 CYL. TO. THINK THE ENGINES R THE SAME IN BOTH CARS .SEEMS TO ME LIKE GM HAS BIG PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE DESIGN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX ON MARCH 8, 2011. SINCE PURCHASING I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. FALLS IN THE LEMON LAW CATEGORY AT THIS POINT. MAY 26, 2011. *TR VEHICLE STALLING AND HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING TECH REMOVED AND REPLACED THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS AND THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOIDS (2 ACTUATORS AND 2 VALVES) I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WOULD CORRECT BOTH PROBLEMS SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 VEHICLE STALLING, HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND RECALL NO.11195. TECH CLAIMED HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE STALLING/HESITATION. TECH PERFORMED CAMPAIGN NO. 11195. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS TO REPAIR THE STALLING/HESITATION AND WOULD CORRECT BOTH PROBLEMS SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 -SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 THIRD VISIT FOR SAME ISSUES! VEHICLE STILL STALLING, HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION AND RATTLE AT STARTUP DAY 1: INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE KEPT OVERNIGHT (PARTS ORDERED). DAY 2: TECH REMOVED AND REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING AFTER REPLACING ACTUATORS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS LIT. I WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NEED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE ONE MORE DAY TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN (PARTS ORDERED) DAY 3 IN SERVICE: CAMSHAFT TIMING CHAIN REPLACED TOTAL WORK OVER 3 DAYS: 2 VALVES, 2 ACTUATORS, 1 SEAL, 1 GASKET AND 1 CHAIN INSTALLED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THESE FIXES WOULD RESOLVE STALLING AND ENGINE HESITATION ISSUES I AM HAVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE AT THIS TIME: VEHICLE STALLING HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING I HAVE FILED PAPERWORK FOR LEMON LAW BUT ALSO WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CHEVY IS HAVING WITH THEEQUINOX. FROM THE COMPLAINTS, BLOGS, ETC THAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE THIS SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND OTHER CONSUMERS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 18, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY EQUINOX OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND IT STALLED, I RESTARTED IT, DROVE IT UP THE ROAD AND WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AND IT STALLED AGAIN, I TURNED AROUND BACK TO THE PARKING LOT AND IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. I HAVE ALSO BE GETTING VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE (15-18MPH). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY RESET THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE IT HAD ERRORS ON IT. THIS HAS THUS FAR RESOLVED THE CAR FROM STALLING BUT HAS NOT IMPROVED THE GAS MILEAGE. *TR
Structure, Oct 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN OPENING BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOWS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Sep 23, 2011, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE STREET WITH TWO LANES GOING SOUTH WITH A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE AND TWO LANES GOING NORTH. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE GOING SOUTH TOWARDS 1-70 AND WAS GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CORNER TOWARDS THE LEFT AND TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY WHEEL AND MY WHEEL WAS STUCK TURNING LEFT. I TRIED AGAIN TO GET MY WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT, AND IT WAS STUCK. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND WENT OVER THE MEDIAN SEPARATING THE 4 WAY LANES. I HIT A LARGE STREET SIGNS AND MULTIPLE REFLECTORS ON THE MEDIAN. UPON IMPACT MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED AND WHEEL WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE A TURN TO RIGHT TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS OLD AND WAS A BRAND NEW 2011 EQUINOX. WHEN I WENT TO REPORT THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CAR SALES MAN THERE SAID "OH THIS HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE WITH ANY YEARS OF THE EQUINOX'S".....HATE TO BREAK IT TO HIM BUT LOOKS LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR STEERING AND WHEEL ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. VERY FRUSTRATING.....GM WAS CONTACTED AND IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 30-120 DAYS FOR THEM TO COME EVALUATE THE STATUS OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM AS MY CAR IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD AND WAS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TR