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 #103

Jul 292016

Equinox

  • 140,000 miles
My engine light came on and sometimes when I start to accelerate my car it will just die (even on the highway in traffic!!!). it has happened 9+ times already and some of those times the engine light was no longer on.

- Excelsior Springs, MO, USA

problem #102

May 052016

Equinox

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving at any speed and making a right turn, the engine stopped. The vehicle restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was driven to the dealer's mechanic where it produced intake cam actuator failure code P011. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #101

May 172016

Equinox

  • 63,000 miles
While driving on the highway the check engine light came on. Immediately in the message area two message were displayed - "reduce engine power" and service stabitrack soon". immediately the vehicle would not go over 3000 RPM and 50 mph. Within a mile the engine lost all power (luckily this was as I was hitting the exit ramp off the highway). After waiting for a few minutes I was able to fire it up but the errors returned. I limped the vehicle home and had it towed to my local garage. My mechanic indicated there were 9 error codes when he looked with his scanner related to fuel pressure, cam sensors, and motor timing. Furthermore, since I was due for an oil change, he drained the oil pan and saw I was nearly 3 quarts low on oil. This is puzzling as (1) I just checked the oil two weeks ago and, while a bit low, was in operating range and (2) the low oil pressure light never came on. After reading other complaints on this and other sites this seems to be a common occurrence. So now I have a vehicle with 63,000 miles that my mechanic says has significant engine damage (timing chain tensioners, cam sensors, fuel pump). This is very difficult for me to believe since there was no warning lights that came on for low oil and at this relatively low mileage. My only alternatives are to pony up for the parts (and hope the pistons/seals are undamaged) or replace the motor. I also think its quite dangerous for the motor to just cut out like this without more advance warning (I was lucky I was already getting off the highway). Needless to say my confidence with GM is pretty much gone.

- Lyndhurst, OH, USA

problem #100

May 112016

Equinox

  • 34,800 miles
Vehicle stalled when engaging drive gear. Code indicates engine variable timing solenoid intake to be replaces.

- Sylvania, OH, USA

problem #99

May 092016

Equinox

  • 73,000 miles
While driving on a major highway with an 18 wheeler behind me, the vehicle stopped going forward when I pushed on the gas. It was still running but had no power and began to slow down to nothing. I was able to coast to the side of the road, but was almost run over due to the sudden loss of power. I cut off the vehicle and tried to restart it, but it would only make a clicking sound. According to the dealership we towed it to, the timing chain slipped and ruined the motor. This is a 2011 vehicle with only 73000 miles on it. This should not have happened and since we made our final payment last month, none of it is under warranty. Surely this is not typical of this vehicle and the Chevrolet company can stand behind this repair.

- Hamlet, NC, USA

problem #98

Apr 252016

Equinox

  • 86,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption. 1qt per 1,250 miles. Needs major engine repairs at less than 86,000 miles. I've heard that if allowed to continue that engine can stall while driving. This could be a dangerous condition if stalling while travelling at maximum highway speeds. Driver could lose steering control.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #97

May 282014

Equinox

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 65 mph, a loud banging noise was heard under the hood of the vehicle when the gears were shifted. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission, catalytic converter, and engine chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 72,000.

- Gouldsboro, ME, USA

problem #96

Apr 132016

Equinox

  • 109,000 miles
My 2011 Equinox had a loud banging sound in the engine. The oil was changed at 104K and is now at 109K. Car broke down in driveway. I had it towed to the dealership where they could find a leak or burning of oil. They stated that there was not one drop of oil left and the timing chain and guides were ruined. The dealership blamed jiffy lube by saying they did not put sufficient oil in the car; and jiffy lube blamed Chevrolet stating they know they have engine issues in this model (the cars "eat" oil) the dealership said that corporate headquarters want to open the motor up for 2K to see if it is a defect in the model. I am not willing to pay this. Two years ago they had to rebuild the cylinder head because of a manufacturers defect.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #95

Apr 172016

Equinox

  • 5,000 miles
The headrests on this car push my head so far forward that I have terrible pain while driving. I also cannot see where I am going due to the extreme angle of my head jutting forward. Not too safe--any reasonable person can figure this out. In addition, the car is burning excessive oil. Also, when trying to accelerate after slowing down in heavy traffic, it bogs. Again, not very safe. This car is a piece of crap--never again will I get a Chevrolet. This happens all the time!!

- Lowell, IN, USA

problem #94

Apr 172016

Equinox

  • 63,240 miles
Purchased my 2011 Chevy Equinox in March 2014 at 36,000 miles. At this moment I have 63,000 miles. Past couple months or so I have had many issues with my vehicle. There was a ticking for a period of time after parking and shutting off the vehicle, a rough/loud running of the engine, inconsistent times of knocking type sound, and a hesistant during accelerating and so rough. When we inquired about these things from the dealer we purchased from we were told that everything was 'normal' and that's what a Chevy sounds like. Today I was driving up a 30 mph road and could not accelerate over 20 mph going straight up the road. There was a hesistation then it stopped in the middle of the road. I turned the ignition off.waited a few seconds and it started back up. I drove fast home and turned onto my street and it started to slow down and not accelerate. It was still running but didnt go anywhere. I turned it off again for a few minutes. It started up I drove it into my driveway. The engine light came on and it shutoff. This appears to be a consistent problem in this type of vehicle from what I have now found and something that should not happen with only 63,000 miles on it. I do not drive long distance. Work, school and home. I am extremely frustrated with the entire situation. I have always bought Chevy and this is the first major issue. They need a recall on this. Can someone help. I do not have a warranty anymore. Im a single mom of 2 and can not afford this. The crazy thing is. I received a notice in the mail about this issue a few months back. I chuckled and said not my car and threw it away now look at me.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #93

Dec 032015

Equinox

  • 67,000 miles
This is a fwd model with 2.4L engine. The transmission 3-5-R plate failed at 67,000 miles and the transmission was ruined. When it failed it caused acceleration and speed problems while the vehicle was on a major highway but there was no check engine light initially. The car limped a few miles home stalling out completely once a block from home, it would not go into reverse and had to be towed to the dealer for diagnosis and repairs. I was the original owner of the vehicle it was purchased 06/11/2011. The vehicle also had oil consumption issues and rough idle at this time. The vehicle had its cam shaft actuators replaced in August 2011 after the engine made very loud noises with about 2000 miles on the car. I traded the car in 3 days after the dealership replaced the transmission because I did not trust the car.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #92

Apr 272015

Equinox

  • miles
Bought the car used in April 2014. In April 2015 had to have the timing chain replaced. In July 2015 had to have the rings, pistons, and cylinder head replaced. Now in February 2016 I have had the to replace the battery, and the starter and it still won't start.

- Wellsville, NY, USA

problem #91

Feb 172016

Equinox

  • 95,000 miles
Was sitting at a stop light, vehicle engine started surging and a warning light came on saying reduced engine power, had to really push on the break so it would not lunge into the inter section, light turned green and I started to go, but I could only get up to 25 mph, then all the warning lights on the dash came along with a service stabilitrak message, managed to get to a parking lot and shut off the vehicle for a few minutes, started it back up and it ran better but check engine light remained on. Took it to the Chevy dealer, he new before even looking at it what it was. Ended up being the throttle body, if you look online there are many Equinox vehicles with this problem. But GM will not cover this under their power train warranty even though this is what supplies air to the engine.

- Howe, IN, USA

problem #90

Feb 152016

Equinox

  • 30,000 miles
My odometer just went over 30,000 last week. Took it in for the oil change (religiously every 6 months, although I only drive around 3,000 during that time) and the rear engine seal is leaking oil. My warranty expires in one week. We're taking it in for repair before it expires but I'm appalled that an engine with 30,000 miles on it is already leaking oil. The only reason we're keeping it is because it's paid off. My next new car will not be a Chevrolet.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #89

Feb 152016

Equinox

  • 53,307 miles
While driving into a parking lot, my engine starting revving and running very rough. I lost power and control. The engine light and stabilitrak control warning came on. Fortunately, I was going slow, so I was able to stop and turn off the car. I turned it back on and the engine light remained on and the stabilitrak warning came back on. Turned it back off and let it sit. I was able to drive home with no issues, but the engine light remained on. From my short amount of research this seems like a common, serious issue. I have a new, [xxx] year old driver who uses this car - not anymore - until a fix is found! parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #88

Feb 102016

Equinox

  • 130,000 miles
Had my car fixed for the oil consumption issue and a week later I lost power and the car shut off while driving almost causing an accident with my children in the car. Dealership denied any thing wrong with the car.... after having it towed back to them, they found the throttle body connectors were no good and need a new wiring kit to fix. There needs to be a recall on this because this could cause a serious accident, almost happened to me! please recall the 2011 Equinox as a whole, you obviously didn't build this car correctly.

- Saranac, MI, USA

problem #87

Jan 232016

Equinox

  • 66,000 miles
The motor mounts on my 2011 Chevrolet Equinox are either loose or are missing in my car. The motor shakes when I come to a stop and when I come to a complete stop and hit my brakes again the shaking stops, and my car sounds like it is missing.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #86

Jan 182016

Equinox

  • 116,734 miles
While driving the display on the dash displayed the words "powering down" and then the car proceeds to slow to a complete stop. All while I'm driving on the freeway in traffic. The Chevy dealership in mckinney, el dorado, advised me that the engine simply fell apart and broke. I just got a tune up and oil change within the past 60 days...how can an engine just fall apart with no indication, no check engine light, no smoke, etc.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #85

Dec 152015

Equinox

  • 107,000 miles
For the second time since I have owned the car new major engine work was undertaken. 1st was a timing chain wear issue causing engine noise at about 50K miles. Next was a near total engine rebuild due to excess oil consumption where rings, bearings, pistons etc at GM warranty cost. All except for cam actuators for which I was charged $391. I picked up the car and all seemed fine. Within 100 miles of picking up the car the engine light came on and a P0420 engine code was logged. I was told by the dealer when I immediately returned it to see what had been done wrong that I needed a new catalytic converter, oxygen sensors and new cam actuators. (I just paid $391 to have them replaced less than a week ago!!!) the dealer and GM customer service refused to accept that the catalytic converter failure was due to the warranty covered excess oil consumption or possibly not following the detailed block cleaning, and rinsing procedure described in the tsb for the engine rebuild. I took the complaint to GM corporate customer service and was told that they contacted the dealer and they stated I was told I needed a new converter and I refused service so I have no recourse but contact my aftermarket warranty my dealer pushed on me who has already refused to pay for any failures because GM in their opinion has admitted fault by acknowledging they have a known oil consumption issue. So I have no idea if the original repair was done correctly, do I really need cam actuators or were they never replaced in the first place? I would get rid of the vehicle if I was not so upside down due to the wasted money I let the dealer push on the extended warranty that has been proved worthless.

- Dundee, MI, USA

problem #84

Jan 092016

Equinox

  • 53,000 miles
Was driving the car at approximately 40mph when the engine shook and slowed down to about 30mph and the rpms shot up to 5,000. I just got the vehicle back from the dealership and they had just replaced the balance shaft chain and tensioner & high pressure fuel pump to hopefully remedy the same problem. The vehicle was purchased certified pre-owned with apprx 52K miles. 11/27/15. I first brought the vehicle in on 12/11/15 and it was retured after 4 days and not being able to "recreate" the problem. I returned the car to the dealership on 1/4/2016 for the same problem which occured on new years day. I just got the car back after repairs on 1/7/16 and now two days later the problem has again occured. The last time in the shop they also could not "duplicate" the issue after driving apprx 50 miles, but I pointed out that the oil was very dirty and smelled like gasoline which they checked and confirmed and did the repairs of the fuel pump and balance chain. The engine issue is still not resolved and I will be returning the car to the dealership again on Monday. I just got plates today because my 30 day tag just expired.

- Mentor On The Lake, OH, USA

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