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.
Engine, Dec 26, 2020
2011 EQUINOX HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND IS GETTING WORSE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL THAT IS VAGUE WHICH IS TO SAY IT IS A POPULAR ISSUE WITH NO DIRECT RESOLUTION.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Engine, Dec 18, 2020
1) SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON DESPITE HAVING SEATBELTS SECURED. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND STAYS ON THROUGHOUT ALL ASPECTS OF DRIVING UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. 2) SERVICE STABILITRAC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE THE RADIO FLICKERS OFF AND ON, AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WERE POSSESSED. 3) THE PREVIOUS ENGINE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT RESULTED IN THE PREVIOUS ENGINE BEING REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. NEW ENGINE IS BURNING OIL JUST AS FAST AS THE OLD ONE. WITHING ONE MONTH THE DIPSTICK WAS REGISTERING AS BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE WITH 2 MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 3K MILES LEFT BEFORE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, PER JIFFY LUBE'S STICKER.
Engine, Dec 14, 2020
THE 2.4L ENGINE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BEFORE THE DATE LISTED, THE CAR STALLED ON TWICE ON INTERSTATE 69 SHE HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS WAS DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION IN CAR. SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THAT CAR AT ALL. ATTACH WIL BE THE BILL OF THE ENGINE REPAIR DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION
Engine, Dec 6, 2020
TIMING BELT BROKE. A LOT OF OIL CONSUMING THE CAUSE OF THAT
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Dec 3, 2020
CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY NO SIGNS OF WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP CAR ONLY HAD 84000 MILES ON IT WAS TOLD MY ENGINE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED FROM TIMING CHAIN SUPPOSEDLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 6000 DOLLARS LATER TOTAL REPLACEMENT 😡 THANK GOD MY FAMILY WAS NOT HURT IN THIS EVENT CALLED GM CORP TO COMPLAIN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL NOT HAPPY FROM WHAT I READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS I JUST HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT!!!!!!!!! ALSO THEY SAID NO RECALL AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY
Engine, Dec 3, 2020
MY ENGINE BLEW DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION FROM BAD O RINGS ON THE PISTONS.
Power train, Nov 14, 2020
I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION SINCE FOREVER BUT NOW IT'S WORSE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO HAVE AN OPEN RECALL. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE PURCHASE THESE VEHICLES AND HAVE TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THEM BECAUSE THEY COME FAULTY. ANYTIME I HIT MY BRAKES WITH A HEAVY FOOT MY CAR WILL STAY STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. I'VE BEEN ON THE HIGH WAY AND IN BUSY STREETS. I CAN'T GO FASTER THEN 10 MPH. I STAY STUCK AND HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINS TO GET IT TO RUN AGAIN. IT'S CONSTANTLY SHUTTERING AS WELL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME COMPLAINTS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
Engine, Nov 13, 2020
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (BY SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 15810), HOWEVER THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT I HAD A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD... WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY THE SPECIAL COVERAGE. IT IS CRAZY THAT AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILS! IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE EXTRA PRESSURE DUE TO THE CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. GM REFUSED TO REINBURSE THIS SERVICE.
Power train, Oct 26, 2020
I WAS HEADING INTO WORK ON A WEDNESDAY. EXITING THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A MASSIVE SHUTTER IN TRANSMISSION AS IT DOWNSHIFTED ON THE EXIT RAMP.TURNING ON TO A BUSY STREET, U.S.36, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AS IT WAS SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. BY THAT TIME I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT. AS I BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY. THEN THE TACHOMETER WAS PEGGED AND REDLINING AND WAS NOT GAINING SPEED. WITH A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC PILING UP ON ME AND NOWHERE TO GO, I TURNED ON THE FLASHERS. I BEGAN COASTING BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. ENGINE RUNNING FINE WITH NO ACCELERATION.THERE I WAS DEAD IN THE ROADWAY WAITING TO BE REAR ENDED..AFTER THE TRAFFIC EASED UP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 10MPH AND THEN STOP PROPELLING ME FORWARD. COASTING TO ANOTHER STOP. PUTTING INTO PARK AGAIN AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. AGAIN ONLY GETTING UP TO ABOUT 10MPH BEFORE TRANSMISSION WOULD STOP MOVING FORWARD. I DID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE I COULD FIND A SAFE LOCATION TO PULL INTO. THIS EPISODE ENDED IN A $3400 TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THE MASTER MECHANIC SAYS HE SEES THIS SO MANY TIMES WITH VEHICLE. I FIND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR AN AUTO MANUFACTURE TO PRODUCE SUCH AN INFERIOR PRODUCT THAT UNTIMELY PUTS THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN JEOPARDY.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 21, 2020
VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE, POOR DRIVEABILITY, AND ALSO STALLED AT LOW THROTTLE OPENING WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODE P0010
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2020
MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. HAVE HAD MY VIECHLE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND MY TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP AGAIN OIL IS BURNING AND THEY CAR SHOPS HAVE NO IDEA WHERE ITS GOING. JERKING CAR WHEN FOOT IS ON BREAK WHIRRING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATE OR TURNING
Engine, Oct 20, 2020
ENGINE TYPE CONSUMES EXCESS OIL. THIS HAS CAUSED MY OIL TO RUN OUT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY WHEN DECELERATING THE RPMS WILL DROP TO CAUSE ENGINE TO FAIL. DRIVING WITH NO OIL WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW UP ONE DAY OR ANOTHER.
Engine, Oct 19, 2020
MY ENGINE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO PISTON RING WEAR!
Visibility/wiper, Oct 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, IN THE LEFT LANE WHILE PASSING A TRUCK AT 65-70MPH, IN THE DARK, THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM CLICKED A FEW TIMES AGAINST THE A-PILLAR THEN CEASED WORKING. FORTUNATELY THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER CONTINUED TO FUNCTION.
Engine, Oct 17, 2020
IT BURNING SO MUCH ENGINE OIL AND RUNNING OUT FROM OIL FOR UNDER 900 MILES AND CAR IS UNDER 120000
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2020
MY IGNITION WAS GETTING JAMMED AND STUCK WHEN TURNING THE TRUCK ON. WHILE DRIVING I FELT SOMETHING LOSING POWER MY GEARS FELT REALLY SLOW
Engine, Sep 28, 2020
MY ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THEY SAID A BOLT BROKE BY THE TIMING CHAIN. THEN THEY SAID IT MESSED UP THE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. I WOULD START UP MY CAR AND I HEAD A RATTLING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. I WOULD HEAR THE VIBRATION NOISE
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2020
MY EQUINOX LTZ 2011 KEEP SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT A WARNING WHEN I'M BACKING UP ON A RED LIGHT OR A STOP NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SHOW BUT IT KEEP DOING IT.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS BENT OVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO A GRASSY AREA AT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX. THERE WAS NO CRASH REPORTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD BE CALLED BACK IN TWO OR THREE DAYS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED AN UNKNOWN NHTSA INVESTIGATION ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2020
CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAR SHAKES, BALKING WHILE ON IDLE OR STOP ON RED LIGHT, HEAVY CHAIN ROLLING NOISE. SPENT MORE THAN $3K SO FAR BUT STILL COMES WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS EVERY NOW AND THEN. ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CODES SHOW UP WHILE CHECKING. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. WIPER BLADES DON'T CLEAR PROPERLY. PROBLEM LIST CAN GO ON AND ON. CAR SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF AND IT HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED BY ITSELF AND COULDN'T GO MORE THAN 20 MILES/HOUR ON A HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY INSIDE THE CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED HOWEVER, THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2020
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HIGH DOWNPOUR. WIPERS REACHED THE END OF THE SEQUENCE AND STOPPED. HAD TO PULL OVER IN POURING RAIN AND HIGH TRAFFIC, CAUSING MAJOR CONCERN AND A MAJOR SAFETY EVENT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2020
WIPER LINKAGE FAILED IN HEAVY RAIN WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE
Visibility/wiper, Jul 23, 2020
DRIVING IN POURING DOWN RAIN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. HIGH SAFETY CONCERN.
Power train, Jul 21, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON OUR CITIES BYPASS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. AFTER GETTING TO A PLACE THAT I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER, I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND LISTENED. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE. I THOUGHT MAY BE IT WAS BAD GAS BUT I WAS ON A HALF TANK AND HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH THE SAME GAS FOR ALMOST A WEEK WITH NO ISSUES. I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT TO PRESS THE GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD HEAR ACCELERATION, BUT THE CAR DID NOT BUDGE. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I AM READING THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS. I HAVE A LITTLE UNDER 124,000 MILES. ITS TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE FOR IT NOT TO BE RECALLED BY GM. THIS IS NOT A INEXPENSIVE FIX AND IS NOT FAIR TO CONSUMERS.