8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$890
Average Mileage:
40,450 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replaced exhaust and intake cam solenoids, and throttle body (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #8

Aug 302019

Equinox LS 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Bought this 3/25/2019, it is now 8/30/2019. I paid 6000.00 financed. The check engine light and service stabilitrak and power reduced lights come on while my wife is on her way home and is idling rough when stopped or in park. I test drive around the block when I get home lights come on after about a mile and it stalls and wont crank. After about 20 mins it starts and I drive home immediately kill it in the driveway and it has not cranked since. I had it towed to shop and they tell me codes point to timing chain but that the low pressure readings on the lower end suggests I need a new engine altogether so in 4 months my first GM product has went from costing 6000.00 to 11500.00...what a great American company really sticking it to the working man with poor craftsmanship and engineering. Thank you GM, you're obviously aware of the problem just not going to be accountable for it.

- Cody M., Dallas, TX, US

problem #7

Dec 142016

Equinox LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

The issues occurring with this vehicle has been documented several times. I had double hip replacement so I was really unable to fully address the problem. I did bring the vehicle for manifold recall and it ended in costing me over $800. and I am still have basically the same issue. And I have now been told I can bring it in at the cost of $350 toward fixing the issue, if they find out what is wrong!!!! Really!!!??? Where do they do that at! Kiss my ass!

- Tabatha B., Detroit, MI, US

problem #6

Jan 232018

Equinox LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

The 2011 Chevy equinox its all about problems since the day I first purchased it: 2 oil leaks, excessive oil consumption that under extended warranty half engine was replaced and finally this. Engine light came on, with loss on power alarm that could not go more than 20 m/hr. Dealer had to replace the intake cam and exhaust cam solenoids as well as the throttle body under my budget. I called GM and they opened a case but they have not been able to resolve it other than offering me the standard dealer warranty for parts and labor. BIG HELP!!!! I have so many problems on this car and reading everyone’s problems, that I am requesting GM to provide an extended warranty on engine and transmission for 2 years , or 100k or my money back. So far I already lost money by the repairs, my personal downtime without the car, and loss in resale value. If someone has a suggestion, I would like to hear it.

- Robert C., Oxford, US

problem #5

Jun 202011

Equinox LT 2.4L Inline 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

If you are considering a used Equinox, be sure to test drive in Rush Hour traffic to see if you have a "high rev" engine. At 50,000 miles car occasionally stalled at stop lights. Car would keep running when key shut off. Plugs removed and Carbon Dissolver squirted in. After 2 hours of dwell time, Dealer mechanic drove car at high revs for two miles. Problem persisted so High Pressure Fuel Injector replaced. Oil changed because gas dripped into crankcase. Chevrolet covered half of $1,100 bill under warranty. Chevrolet dealer recommended that high detergent gas be purchased from this point forward. Service bulletin PIP 4783A Document 2691577.

At 60,000 miles AC compressor failed and cost to repair was $1,100

- egebauer, Westerville, OH, US

problem #4

Feb 282011

Equinox LTZ 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

Poor acceleration off the line. Push on the accelerator and nothing happens for a second. Acts just like a carburetor with a broken accelerator pump. This delay in acceleration is very annoying and forces extra caution in traffic. I have written letters to GM and they told me to take it to the dealer twice and the Dealers say everything is within specs, so I am stuck. It appears that the speed of light is not fast enough for their throttle by wire system. This car has 182 horsepower with a 6 speed automatic transmission. That is the same horsepower as my old BMW 533i which performed extremely well but this Equinox doesn't get off the line as well as my 40HP 1965 VW Beetle. I have driven a couple other 2011 Equinoxes and they weren't as bad as mine. This would be a very good car if it performed the way a reasonable person would expect.

- rufraz, Melbourne, FL, US

problem #3

Jun 062014

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

vehicle had engine and transmission problems. Jumped while shifting, and would not go forward only backward. It is in the shop s we speak.

- cwojahn, Waupun, WI, US

problem #2

Oct 152013

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Bought the 2011 Equinox new and when I took in on 10/15/13, the car had already been stalling upon start. Not only this but when pulling out, it felt like there was no gas going to the engine. In any event, dealer said there was an update and my invoice says "18351 miles-oil indicator may be inaccurate, reprogrammed as per recall, now operates as designed". About 6 months later, noticed the hesitation again. Had an apt but bad weather forced cancellation. Rescheduled for last week. Now S.A. the hesitation may have been caused by the lack of oil (2.5 qts low (wouldn't the oil light have come on?). It was topped off (for $12) and to come back in 500 miles for oil consumption test.

Well, I don't drive very far (the 3 yr warranty will expire 6/27/14 and I only have 22,200 miles in almost 3 years. Looks like I have to take a long road trip or I will be out of warranty by the 500 miles. Talked to the mechanic who does my oil changes and inspections about this and he said his friends' daughter had a 2012 Equinox and the motor blew up but since it was a 2012 and less than 36,000 miles, GM replaced the engine. I knew I should not have gotten a GM because due to mismanagement, they had their hand to the Feds and still haven't paid back the bailout money (some, but not all and they screwed the bond holders (but UAW owns part of GM now).

This will definitely be the last GM I buy if this engine problem becomes worse.

- smidge118, Zelienople, PA, US

problem #1

Nov 012011

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

Merging into traffic in southern CA is pretty much a hazard in this car. Put 4 people in it with some luggage and you have a serious issue. Staying at speed on steeper highway hills requires usually two downshifts. I might be able to accept this problem if the fuel mileage was true to the 32 mpg advertisement, but no power AND crappy mpg?

- Chris P., Carlsbad, CA, US