10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,499 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #36

Feb 162019

Equinox

  • 134,000 miles
I have had my SUV worked on 6 different times due stalling, loosing power, cutting out, and not wanting to accelerate. They replaced the throttle body updated the computer replaced air filter, etc. Worked for 2 weeks and now is still having this problem.

- Elkland, MO, USA

problem #35

Jan 012019

Equinox

  • 1,650,000 miles
When the can starts it sounds like a diesel.some thimes the enison will turn over and over and I have to turn it off the try to start it than it will start.the car will die in the midel of the highway. Some thime I have to pump the gas to get it going like it just ran out of fule.

- Sherman, TX, USA

problem #34

Mar 272019

Equinox

  • 187,000 miles
Driving home I was approaching intersection in which a few cars were beginning to move as I approached the red light. On a county highway, upon seeing the slow start, I began breaking. Unfortunately I continually pushed brake pedal to floor numerous times with no ability to stop and ran my vehicle under back end of a fedex delivery truck. One head on collision occurred my airbag canisters initiated but but the air bags never deployed after impact I did receive indicator notification stating airbag service required. Prior to the collision O have had total rebuild of motor from block upward by GMC I reported that numerous times while on hwy my card would suddenly stall/ lag. Going from 65-70mph down to 20-30mph. Have had engine maintained well and changing oil etc was told all 3 times I took it is it resulted nothing that could be replicated. Despite having been lucky since it common apparantly for my vehichle to begin loses oil and has to be refilled Q-2 X week ly.( seems to be common complaint from automotive men to state all is good. 1) it is not all good. 2) I could have been killed or seriously injured because of stalling, failed breaking system and lack of air bag.deployment.I also took several times for timing belt repair and even had motor rebuilt and also despite just having put on when this started 3 monthseago, have had issues since 4 mo after buying vehicle ( had 20,000 miles on it. Of course am always told not in warranty time limit or my VIN # not included in cars identified of increased risk and always told there is an inability to replicate complaints. Well now I have a totalled car but praise be to god he still writing my story and I am unharmed and will need new vehichle

- Springville, AL, USA

problem #33

Mar 202018

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption, engine makes noise, need to change oil every 2000 miles, need to check oil level every week. Not safe to drive.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #32

Mar 092019

Equinox

  • 97,800 miles
My vehicle randomly dies while driving. At 94500 ck engine light came on. Had one solenoid replaced and changed the oil. A week later the engine stalled a few times in a parking lot. No check engine light was on. Replaced a 2nd solenoid. 3/5/19, a week little over a week it stalled 5 times in a parking lot. Pd again to have mechanic scan it nothing showed up. 3/7/19 changed the spark plugs. 3/9/19 drove to milwaukee. Got there check engine light came on, stabil trek light & engine power reduced notification. An hour later seemed fine. On the way home all the same lights came on in rolling traffic had to pull off bc it died a couple of times. Let it sit a bit then started home again. After about 5 miles going 60mph on the interstate in a snow/rain storm the vehicle died, while driving it. I barely got it to the shoulder of the interstate. A state trooper had to sit behind for safety. Bc of the storm the tow truck was 90 minutes out. This was a life threatening situation. I could have been hit & killed.hauled to a mechanic 50 miles away. Code reader (attached) showed 5 errors but couldn't find anything wrong that caused the problem. Took it to a certified GM dealership. The mechanic couldn't replicate the issue so doesn't know what it wrong. Had the timing chain replaced but mechanic didn't think that was the issue. I am afraid to drive it because it could randomly die again in heavier traffic on the interstate and to me is life threatening. There are so so many people commenting online with the same problem that this vehicle should be recalled before people do die if it hasn't happened already. I have only owned this vehicle 5 months and have had it to the mechanic at least 5 times. I don't want to unload this death trap on someone else but I am afraid to drive it for fear of losing my life or someone else's.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #31

Aug 162016

Equinox

  • 96,000 miles
This special coverage, bulletin #14882 is exactly what's going on with my vehicle and I am under the 10-year, 120K time frame. Yet apparently my VIN doesn't match up so I don't get coverage. Https://GM.oemdtc.com/1899/special-coverage-adjustment-plugged-PCV-orifice-in-intake-manifold-2010-2014-Buick-Chevrolet-GMC I was sold this vehicle in August of 2016. I complained about excessive oil use via email and my complaint was never addressed. Bulletin 12585C was released between January and March of 2016, so jeff belzer Chevrolet of lakeville, mn sold me this vehicle with the piston issue instead of covering them. Now that I've learned about special coverages, I am outside of the time frame for coverage and I feel slighted and cheated. This is a faulty design and instead of Chevrolet holding a semi-decent standard, I am left with the bill. Https://GM.oemdtc.com/3953/excessive-engine-oil-consumption-2011-Chevrolet-Equinox-GMC-terrain

- Truman, MN, USA

problem #30

Nov 232018

Equinox

  • 119,923 miles
Driving down the highway going about 70 miles per hour over a bridge. My vehicle started loosing power. About 2 miles after the bridge the engine light came on and the engine shut off. Never came back on.I was towed to a shop where the diagnosis was engine code P228D, previous to that in January of this year another engine code P0302 was captured and in July of this year yet another engine code P0420 captured as well, via a tracking system thru my insurance.

- North Highlands, CA, USA

problem #29

Apr 012018

Equinox

  • 125,000 miles
Gas order and others coming from the engine. Gas mileage has decreased. Undetected gas leak.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #28

Jul 182018

Equinox

  • 49,000 miles
My car has a rough idle/feels like it's going to stall when it's idling. After getting a low-engine power indicator light, I took it to my dealer, who diagnosed the rear high-pressure fuel pump as a result of the code during diagnostics. At a cost of more than $1,300, the fuel pump was replaced, and as I was driving home from the dealership, the problem persisted and I called the dealer right then. I was told to let the car reset and do highway driving. After five days and a 12-hour highway round trip, I still had the problem and called the dealer back. They had my car three days and now say this is a timing chain issue, but they also say that some of my models are having high oil consumption, leading to the timing chain issue; therefore, they're tracking my oil consumption for 2,000 miles. Still, my question is why replace the high-pressure fuel pump since that didn't fix the problem? my year, make, and model--but not VIN--is currently under recall for failing high-pressure fuel pumps, but my dealer won't budge and include it in the recall. The recall is: #43180: Product emission recall ' high pressure fuel pump ' (Sep 30, 2016). I also contacted GM's help line, and they investigated and did nothing. I can provide more information if necessary, but I'm requesting that the recall be expanded to include my VIN.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #27

May 092017

Equinox

  • 63,253 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact could not start the vehicle and the engine indicator was illuminated. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle felt as if it were reversing when the vehicle was engaged in drive. The vehicle was taken to jim browne Chevrolet tampa bay (11300 N Florida ave, tampa, fl 33612, (888) 366-5458) where the contact was informed that the fuel was burnt out and the circuit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,253.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #26

Jan 012018

Equinox

  • miles
Rattles when starting the vehicle. Smells of gasoline from vehicle when running. This began in December 2017 and continues to this day

- Watertown, NY, USA

problem #25

Mar 262018

Equinox

  • miles
I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox with high oil consumption issues I been maintaining to avoid engine issues. Chevy will check however wants me to pay for oil change test and said they will charge me if they feel the engine has issues due to poor maintenance. The high oil consumption is causing this and appears as a way to turn customers away to avoid costs to them. Poor customer service.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #24

Dec 122017

Equinox

  • miles
This car has had many problems & recalls by GM. In 2017 I have replaced the high pressure fuel pump X 2, catalytic converter, transmission, svc traction, ABS stability track, serpentine belt tensioner, strut mounts, lower control arm bushings, L & R rear trail arm bushings, throttle body. The car is burning oil excessively and I am keeping records of this as there is a recall/lawsuit pending on this issue currently. I purchased an extended warranty so much of these items were repaired under that except labor and taxes which still is excessive amount of repairs and money I spent on a 6 year old car. I called GM customer care and they couldn't care less. I am very disappointed.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #23

Aug 182017

Equinox

  • miles
Catalytic converter is bad and there is knocking in the fuel system

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #22

Nov 182017

Equinox

  • 152,000 miles
3 complaints contained within - complaint #1 - I have had multiple issues with cam shaft actuators and exhaust issues in this vehicle. This has caused my vehicle to stall in busy intersections and to also go into "limp" mode on the interstate. Going 70mph and the engine going into limp mode is dangerous. Thankfully there were alert driver around me that were able to help me get to the emergency lanes safely. There were recalls for this vehilce for some of these issues - but conveniently - my vehicle was not recalled. Three different GM/Chevrolet dealerships have worked on my vehicle and have contacted GM on my behalf - but GM has covered no fixes and I have been out over $2000 on these fixes that were covered under recalls - but not on my vehicle. 2nd complaint - I now have fuel pump issues. Again, a recall was issued in July 2016 for fuel pump issues. The recall is for the same year, make and engine as mine....but my vehicle is not covered under recall.....even my vehicle will stall out while idling at intersections and again - safety issue. I have children and do not feel safe with this happening. GM seems to not be concerned. 3rd issue - takata recall - my air bag alert light will come on - but I have not received a recall for this issue - yet again - my vehicle seems to not be on the list. Safety issue - yes. I have had an open case number with GM corporate for at least 3 years - but suggestions always seem to be on my dime....not theirs. At this point - my vehicle is a "lemon" in my eyes...and if me or my family get injured because of these issues...well.....

- Scottsville, KY, USA

problem #21

Sep 042017

Equinox

  • 40,000 miles
#43180: Voluntary product emission recall ' high pressure fuel pump ' (Sep 30, 2016) car stalls after idling when pulling out of parking lot or in a slow start up or transitioning from reverse to drive. Causing the vehicle to lose power and maneuverability. The engine mounted high pressure fuel pump in these vehicles may develop excessive wear on the plunger piston shaft and shaft seal. If this happens fuel can leak into the engine oil crankcase and result in the engine running rough and illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp. The issue has been ongoing for past several years.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #20

Aug 072017

Equinox

  • 80,000 miles
Lately every time I have been turning on my vehicle and going in drive or reverse it stalls on me and I bought my car the end of May 2017 and its only August 2017 from a certified Chevy dealership.

- Robbinsville, NC, USA

problem #19

Apr 202017

Equinox

  • 88,000 miles
This morning (04/20/2017), while driving, the car stalled out every time I came to a complete stop at a traffic light, or when I slowed down to turn, the engine had a very rough feel with lots of vibration and then stalled.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #18

Apr 122017

Equinox 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and the check engine indicator illuminated the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high pressure fuel pump had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 05/19/17

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #17

Feb 282017

Equinox

  • 83,073 miles
Check engine light staying on. Diagnosed as cam and crank sensors bad. These repaired now another diagnostic saying timing belt bad. Had an oil and filter change dive in febr 13 N went out of town on 2/14/17 N everything fine. Engine E light came on end of febr so til back to where got oil changed. They denied any wrongdoing doing. Took to mechanic Tuesday March 7 told cam N crank sensors bad. They fixed, J came to get car, pulled out of shop N light came on again N engine stalled so took right back. Now diagnosed again as timing belt from diagnostic place. Called GM dealer N now they want another diagnostic done. I'm confused, frustrated N out of money.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »