10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 2
Average Mileage:
80,720 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #123

Feb 232017

Equinox

  • 104,000 miles
Safety concerns galore with this model year, which is well documented on the internet. Oil consumption issue, transmission needed to be replaced and car stalling issuing since I have owned vehicle. Driving on highway and car completely lost power due to the oil consumption issue with entire family in car, very dangerous. New engine problem caused car to stall in road as well. There are systemic problems that GM doesn't want to acknowledge and it has been extremely frustrating to own vehicle. Someone is going to get seriously injured during this car. Called and shared safety concern with GM and dealership several times.

- Washington, NJ, USA

problem #122

Feb 132017

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 127,900 miles
Exhaust manifold develops chronic crack possibly due to thermal stress gradient near a injection port. Another contributing factor the manifold cracking may be that the engine mount, according to the repair technicians, are prone to quick deterioration than what they consider normal. The engine flops around during torque reactions, putting stress on the connected exhaust system. Besides the cracked manifold, two engine mounts were found in poor condition. This crack does not produce a significant audible exhaust leak sound and therefore goes unnoticed. The exhaust manifold is also hidden from view. The crack is widest when cold, therefore letting the most toxic carbon monoxide concentration enter the vehicle, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning of the occupants. This is my wife's car. She had been experiencing severe headaches and had made a doctors appoint. I suspected that our wood stove or gas range may have been the culprit, and installed a co monitor in the kitchen. We figured it was either co poisoning or a terminal brain tumor. We identified the symptom but not the cause. We thank the NHTSA for their recall of the Equinox fuel pump. It was during this recall that the GM technician identified the cracked exhaust manifold. So the fuel pump recall essentially saved my wife from ongoing low level co poisoning. Regards. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Northfield, NH, USA

problem #121

Feb 022017

Equinox

  • 136,000 miles
I purchased this car in 2014 with approx. 80,000 miles on it but was told by the sales associate that this was a great car and a great deal. This car has been nothing but problems. The car has a ticking noise and sounds like a diesel but everytime I took it in to Chevy they told me this is the way Chevy cars sound and that nothing was wrong with it. Finally my engine light turns on and the car will no longer turn on so I have to get it towed and they tell me the intake cam actuator solenoids went out so they replaced it. Then I continue to hear the ticking noise and the car still runs rough and loud but again they tell me nothing is wrong with the car. Once again the engine light comes on and I have to get towed back into town over two hours away for them to tell me the tranmission needs to be replaced. I contacted GM and was told this is what happens when you buy a used car. How rude! now I am no longer under the extended warranty and my car is back at Chevy. They want me to pay for 4 hours of labor to take apart my engine so they can tell me what exactly is wrong with my car but did mention a problem with the timing chain. Are they crazy? these cars are a complete joke. I can not believe that GM would not recall these cars with the extensive issues that so many people are having with them. I mean seriously they should back up their products so people will continue to buy them. If you ask me im sure this car has a problem with the oil consumption which was why I heard the ticking noise and is why the car sounded so loud and heavy like a diesel. They not these cars have a major engine issue but do nothing about it. I still have several years left to pay off this car and am completely upside down. All I want is for GM to pay off this car so I can take my services elsewhere. Drove a Honda with over 200,000 miles before it gave me any type of problems. Very disappointed.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #120

Jan 172017

Equinox

  • 29,000 miles
Returned to hubler Chevy for strange noise at a cold start. Rough idle. Already a bulletin for balancing chain. Balance chain replaced per extended warranty. Received a call that the timing chain needs replaced $198. Not on a bulletin. Also, now doing engine oil consumption test because oil was low as well as engine coolant was low. After doing research at home, thousands of 2.4L engines for Equinox are having to pay for bad timing chain when they have balancing chain replaced. Most of these complaints are coming at the 30,000 mile mark on the odometer. It seems to me that NHTSA should look into why the timing chain issue is not addressed when replacing the balancing chain? if the timing chain stretches or breaks it will blow up the engine (safety issue). My vehicle just turned 29,0000 miles. Numerous other complaints involve all the NHTSA bulletins and ultimately, these people are receiving new replacement engines. If this is the case why won't GM issue a recall and replace these engines with the new improved 2013-2014 2.4L engines. My time is valuable and each repair will cost me a days worth of pay. If these problems are now showing up. Let's end games and replace the engine now. This is very wide spread problem, GM needs to own it and replace the entire engine instead of all these band aid fixes.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #119

Dec 012016

Equinox

  • 898,000 miles
Mycar is running bad it rattles I had it put on a tester it show anything wrong but it still runs rough. When it is idleing is sound bad

- Luray, TN, USA

problem #118

Jan 072017

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
In 15 degree weather car running rough, then without notice while driving 70 mph on highway car goes to 50% power and barely avoiding getting rear ended I was able to maneuver to side of highway where engine stalled out. Was able to start engine again but 50% power indication remained car had to be towed to dealer. Tech indicated the PCV had clogged causing rear seal to fail and then loss of oil caused timing chain to loosen and then engine failure. $2728.38 later for timing chain new seals and rod plus bolts. Special coverage exists for this exact failure but was told that my VIN does not match so bulletin no: 14882 does not apply currently. I do read others with same complaint.. car only has 67K and have had issues with sensors and already had timing chain replaced at 34K. So approx 30K more am I do for another major failure? not safe to drive when on highway and car stalls out without warning and really PCV valve issue causes seal to leak out oil when 90% oil life remaining... not safe and mine and others with excluded vins need to get covered and refunded in full for the failures related to these PCV valves and excessive engine oil consumption.

- Berkley, MI, USA

problem #117

Jan 062017

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
I've not had any complaints about my 2011 Chevy Equinox until Friday when it just wouldn't start. The dealership said the timing chain slipped off and bent valves and now expect me to buy a brand new $9000 engine. I looked up recalls and there is one for this exact issue for my model of vehicle but the dealership says it's VIN specific and my VIN doesn't count for the recall. This needs to be looked into to see if the recall needs to expand out and include more vehicles.

- Laramie, WY, USA

problem #116

Jan 112017

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The 2011 2.4 L engine Equinox is under recall, except for mine. I own a 2011 2.4 L engine Equinox that has every problem as the one that is being recalled. GM is telling me that there are no defective parts on my car, even though my car has been stalling while driving, while turning, while stopping. My car has everything wrong with it that is listed on the recall. The pvc system, water in the air box. Our mechanic took out 1/2 cup of water out of the air box yesterday. In addition, the car consumes mass amounts of oil. This vehicle will give you no warning and then just stall out. Last year, my car stalled while driving and then a reduced engine power light came on. I ended up having to replace the throttle body at not even 90,000 miles. This car poses a threat to the person driving as well to any other car that may be near it as there is no warning given that stalling may occur. No check engine lights come either. No low oil lights. Nothing. I took my car in yesterday because it stalled 7 times on my route to work. My mechanic was able to diagnose the problem and found the problems with the 2011 equinoxes. I have been turning and just had my car shut off, I have pushed the gas pedal and had nothing happen. I have had my car stall out to check the oil and find no oil on the dipstick. I have stopped for traffic and my car will just shut off. GM has told us on more than one occasion there are no recalls on my car. Just other 2011 2.4 L engine equinoxes reporting the same problem.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #115

Jan 072017

Equinox

  • 39,000 miles
Check engine light stays on, car shuts off while driving.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #114

Nov 172016

Equinox

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and did not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rocker arm detached. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and nothing could be done. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Blackwood, NJ, USA

problem #113

Nov 172016

Equinox

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While stopped at a red light, the stability control, traction control, and check engine indicators illuminated while the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #112

Oct 142016

Equinox

  • 115,000 miles
Takata recall my husband and I purchased a vehicle from cornerstone Chevrolet in monticello, mn in March of 2015. In August of 2015, my husband received a letter from GM stating that some of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles equipped with the 2.4L engine has an issue with excessive oil consumption. We were informed in the letter that we were not to bring the vehicle in unless we believed this issue was happening. About a 3 weeks ago, our mechanic who performs our oil changes notified us that our vehicle was using excessive oil and that we should bring it into a GM certified dealership to have it looked at. On Friday, October 28th 2016, we brought our vehicle to cornerstone Chevrolet in monticello, they informed us that this particular issue was happening with the vehicle and they were going to get the approval to start working on it. We were called later that day to be told that the GM rep needed us to bring in receipts of our oil changes in order for us to get this issue fixed. We obtained our records and brought them in. The GM rep then told the techs at cornerstone that they were unable to fix the recall because they only allow 7,500 miles in-between oil changes and that we could find this in our owner's manual. I read the owner's manual from cover to cover and found no information regarding this potential guideline. I notified and sent pictures of the information I did find within the owner's manual regarding the oil changes and they passed this onto the GM rep. As of Monday, November 7th, 2016 I am being told by GM that because we are the second owners of this vehicle and not because of the oil change records. We just want our vehicle fixed because we deserve to have it fixed when this is a known GM issue, not an issue of lack of maintenance.

- Big Lake, MN, USA

problem #111

Oct 022016

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
My 2011 Equinox suddenly lost power while driving and could not control the vehicle in traffic. The vehicle would not start, but would turn over. Fortunately I was able to push it off the highway and tow it home. I then had it towed to dealership in brockport NY (spurr GM dealership). It took 3 weeks to diagnose and repair. The root cause according to the mechanic was that the original factory tensioner to the timing chain failed and the engine went immediately out of time - causing immediate failure of the vehicle and hence control on the road. The engine needed costly repairs of $2600 which is fine (my families life is worth way more) the factory original tensioners evidently fail regularly because they are hydraulic and the intake holes to the tensioner plug easily - Chevy evidently repairs with an improved part that has a wider intake port to prevent clogging. This is a safety issue as control of the car can be lost immediately, without warning and it is difficult to control a car with such a failure causing injury or death of the driver occupants or anyone in other nearby locations to such an event. Chevy does not consider the common failure a "safety" problem rather a "mere" mechanical problem. It is worthy to note the vehicle was otherwise in good shape, well maintained and used synthetic mobil-1 oil - changed 2 weeks prior to such event. The dealer repairs noted no other mechanical issues to the vehicle related to poor or unperformed maintenance.

- Brockport, NY, USA

problem #110

Sep 302016

Equinox

  • 93,000 miles
Engine has always made a rattling noise which now I believe loose/worn timing chain. Last week the Equinox was stalling at stop signs. It will start right back up then die again. Once it's takes off it runs fine. We took it to the dealer, they said there were 2 codes. 1 read engine misfire other read intake cam valve actuator (something). The dealer cleared the codes (charged me for clearing codes) and then said there was nothing wrong with car and sent me on my way. Couple days later it dies 3 times in a row at stop. The check engine light comes on and stays on for one day. Next day check engine light goes off and vehicle runs fine. Later that day it dies at stop. I call dealer to get another appointment and they say without check engine light on or it dying for them there isn't much they can do. Do a quick google search of Equinox timing issue and this is a very common issue. Of course now it is 3 months out of the 5year powertrain warranty. I have read where there is an extended warranty for this issue. I have a feeling I'm going to be forced to take it to another dealership after they do nothing for it and charge me to clear any codes.

- Carrollton, IL, USA

problem #109

Sep 212016

Equinox

  • 96,800 miles
Starting approximately two weeks ago my car would hesitate when accelerating from a stop and either lurch while going into gear or would cut the engine. This would happen every day and I would lose the engine between 1 and 10 times per day. I took my car into the dealership on Tuesday, Oct 4, and was told it was the cam actuator solenoid that wasn't working. I know there is a recall for the year, make L, and model for my car but the VIN isn't covered.

- Grandville, MI, USA

problem #108

Sep 212016

Equinox

  • 89,000 miles
While driving on the freeway it would shut off during low speeds. Issue happened 20+ time during one 15 minute drive. I would need to put the car in neutral to start it again, but once I slowed down it would shut off. This also happened when stopped at a light, once I pressed on the accelerator to begin moving, the vehicle would stall out, powering off and requiring me to place in neutral to start again.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #107

Aug 102016

Equinox

  • 59,600 miles
Car stall many time in the middle of an intersection when you pull out from a light or stop sign due to bad intake cam solenoid. Had to restart car severial time just to get clear of the intersection. Car may then run ok for weeks and then do it again. GM stated it is not part of there recall, even thou it has the same issues as the cars under the recall

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #106

Aug 012016

Equinox

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel and oil were present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pistons would need to be replaced and the vehicle experienced an oil consumption failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #105

Mar 252016

Equinox

  • 126,582 miles
Chevrolet released this car with a bad engine from the beginning. I literally have to change the oil on my car ever single week. " excessive oil consumption " is what they say & only has a warranty up to 120K. When my car started acting out, I was at 126K. It drives very sluggish and horrible, like my engine will give out at any moment. Someone really needs to issue a recall, because this affects all ( or close to) 2010 - 2011 GMC terrain & Chevrolet Equinox & I just so happen to have an 11' Equinox. I don't want to lose my car over a classic Chevrolet screw up!!!

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #104

Jul 212016

Equinox

  • 34,681 miles
Vehicle engine stalled while the vehicle was in motion at 35 mph resulting in impaired steering ability, and loss of vehicle control in a road curve. A crash was narrowly avoided. No warning light or operator notification was present prior to the incident. Odb scan codes indicated a P0010 code 'camshaft position actuator solenoid valve'. vehicle stalled while vehicle was in motion on at least 5 other occasions returning vehicle to dealer for service. Service history indicates the intake camshaft solenoid was replaced under warranty in 2011 due to identical failure mode and fault code, the exhaust camshaft solenoid failed with code P0011 and was replaced under warranty in 2015, and the intake camshaft solenoid failed again in 2016 at 34,681 total vehicle miles. Vehicle has been operated in nominal city driving conditions with consistent maintenance of the oil and oil filter per the oem oil life monitor. The third failure of the camshaft solenoid was charged at customer expense. Repeat failure of the camshaft solenoid actuator indicated an unmitigated product design issue resulting in engine stalls without warning while the vehicle is in motion and impaired steering control.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

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