10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,988 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 2012 Chevrolet Equinox:

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

problem #26

Feb 142020

Equinox

  • 166,000 miles
My vehicles check engine light came on then the stability light came on the vehicle sounded like it was choking. When we got it to the repair shop it stalled out and when the shop did shove investigation there was no oil in the vehicle. Although there was no warning about oil being low or lights on. As we were bringing vehicle to shop it smelled of burning. Vehicle started malfunctioning when stationary and became worse when in motion.

- Michigan City, IN, USA

problem #25

Dec 152019

Equinox

  • 154,000 miles
About 3 weeks ago I went to start my Equinox with the key and when I put it in the ignition my vehicle would not start at all. The vehicle was parked on a city street. Then the beginning of December I had gone over a little bump and my dash started showing up with warning lights saying 'service stabiliz' and 'all-wheel drive off'.

- Woonsocket, RI, USA

problem #24

Sep 032019

Equinox

  • 1,287 miles
While driving on city streets and highways the lights dim and the radio will shut off and all lights on the dash will bim and blink. When I have the cruz control on the car will start picking up speed, and one point I felt I was going a little to fast and when I looked down I was doing 83 mph and I had the Cruze control set to 60 mph. Angel the driver seat will move down on its own while I am driving. I do not feel this is right. I called the dealer ship and they said it was more likely a fuse. I do not believe that. My trackstion control goes off by it self also.

- Newport, OR, USA

problem #23

Mar 142019

Equinox

  • 91,000 miles
Back on Jan 14, 2019 oil was changed as part of routine at a service station. Operator suggested we take it in to the dealers as part of an oil consumption recall he heard about, within 200 miles we took it into a dealership for the test to be performed and they refused to do it due to a rear main seal leak that no one mentioned earlier or at the oil change place. They wouldn't repair it as part of the GM service bulletin 14882 (which is what caused the issue) had to pay $1700 just to get the seal fixed so they could perform the test on an issue GM already was aware of! vehicle finally failed the consumption test and had the recall done at another dealership. Within 3 weeks of being fixed multiple electronic issues have popped up like the stabilitrak disabling, engine power decrease warning, stalling when in idle, burnt smell, air bag lights, and above avg engine noises and has shut down on the highway. Taking it back to the dealer who fixed it to see what can be done. This is my wife's daily driver and takes our kids everywhere so it's imperative that people read this an really think hard before buying this GM product if you've got a family. Current;Y under 91,000 miles but it seems like oil changes became more frequent around 75,000 without warning of oil being low.

- Fife Lake, MI, USA

problem #22

Jan 012017

Equinox

  • 50,000 miles
Service stabilitrak system warning message appears with associated ABS and traction control lights. Occurring randomly when hitting bumps in the road while highway and city driving, the lights will illuminate with dinging alert. Duration of the message varies from a couple of seconds to minutes before all lights extinguish. Various references online indicate the solution for others are all over the place with some dealership maintenance shops trying multiple fixes with no avail. Has been occurring since 2017.

- Frankfort, IL, USA

problem #21

Jan 212019

Equinox

  • 170,000 miles
The timing chain had to be replaced at 140,000 miles. ($2,000) [occurred Jan. 2018] their is an issue causing with leaky pistons causing oil to evaporate. My car was low on oil (though the "low oil" indicator had not gone off) and the pressure inside the engine caused the rear main seal to break. (replacement of refurbished engine + labor est. $4,000) [occurred Jan 2018 at 170,000 miles) not to mention that the back, left door is closed, though a sensor says it is ajar. The sensors in the tires are always way off, tempting me to over-inflate tires. [infinity.]

- Marshall, MI, USA

problem #20

Aug 012017

Equinox

  • miles
Service stabilitrak system warning message appears with associated ABS and traction control lights. Occurring randomly, though seemingly associated with weight in the rear cargo area of the vehicle and when hitting larger bumps in the road while highway and city driving, the lights will illuminate with dinging alert. Duration of the message varies from a couple of seconds to minutes before all lights extinguish. Service center reported code C0045 - replace L/R hub bearing assembly, though various references online indicate the solution for others are all over the place with some dealership maintenance shops trying multiple fixes with no avail. Has been occurring since 2017.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

problem #19

Dec 142018

Equinox

  • miles
There was a recall for major oil consumption so I took it to the dealer and they checked, said everything was good...bs!! I changed oil in Oct, completely dry in Dec! I have had to replace intake/exhaust position actuators twice now. Fluttering sound in the engine when cranked. Now I have (4) different codes 3 of which pertain to fuel pressure reg/system rail and the other once again for the position actuator. And it ran fine before being parked in garage for only a couple hours, once started it shook and vibrated violently.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #18

Dec 182018

Equinox

  • 100,000 miles
1.excessive oil consumption from day 1 - was told it was normal, 2.fluttering sound in the engine when cranked. 3.idling rough for a looooonnnng time. 4. replaced both intake & exhaust cam sensors 5. removed and replaced fan drive belt. 6.car started shifting roughly. 7. started idling so low that I had to keep my foot on the gas so it wouldn't shake violently and cut off. Mostly when I was stopped but started shaking and cutting off when I just slow down. Same thing when I back up. Also when I slow down to make a turn. Last time I drove it (2 days ago) it shook violently and cut off on me 4 times. Waiting for the dealer to call me back now.. please make GM/Chevrolet do a recall!!! thanks for your help!

- Sherrills Ford, NC, USA

problem #17

Oct 242018

Equinox

  • miles
Stability traction service light continuously comes on and eventually goes off. It happens every time I drive the vehicle. It happens on city streets, mountain and hills with many curves, highways and at various speeds. I purchased the vehicle used through a dealership in January of 2018 and I have had this problem since then. It does not show up on my onstar diagnostic that I receive monthly. I complained to the CEO of GM. And did get a response. The representative that I spoke with called the dealership to see if they would check the problem free. But they would not. I saw other complaints from owners that have paid a large amount of money to fix the problem and no one has figured out what is causing it. I feel there should be an investatgation regarding this problem. I would appreciate any feedback concerning the the stability traction service light on the Chevy Equinox. Thank you

- Cazadero, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 122018

Equinox

  • 91,000 miles
Purchased Equinox at the end of June with 85,557 miles. Frequently checked the "oil life" percentage. At 25%, the car started making an awful noise. At first it was mainly when I turned to the left. It also made the noise when I accelerated and then gradually it was noisy no matter which direction I turned. The car would lurch when idling at a stop light, even with my foot barely on the brake. It was extremely terrifying. Have this car for less 3 months and this is happening"?" took to monro for an oil change even though the oil life was only at 25%. mechanic was hesitant to do the oil change unless it was 10% or less. I insisted he change it anyway, with synthetic please, due to the noise it was making and how it was acting. I walked away to do kill time when I recv'd a call from him informing me that he would not do an oil change. He went on to explain that the noise it was making was from something knocking (pistons, rod) and if he were to do an oil change, he would be responsible for the engine should it "blow". he went on to inform me that the engine is going to be needed to replaced, it could "blow" in 3 hours or in 3 months. In tears, I asked how much that would (guesstimate) cost and he told me easily $5,000, half of what I paid for the [xxx] car. His last comment to me was, "I would suggest you drive right up to autozone and purchase 4 quarts of oil because you have no oil"!! reallly? my oil light did not come on, my percentage was 25%.... and I'm going to have to have work done to it that I simply cannot afford. I have since discovered there is a class action law suit including 2010-2017 equinoxes. 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).

- Columbia, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 052018

Equinox

  • 120,000 miles
The check engine light is on and stability trac.cones up and reduce engine power and can't drive turn car off for a min restart and it goes off but as driving comes back on.happened first on highway.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

problem #14

Aug 242018

Equinox

  • 63,000 miles
The stability tracking service light continuously comes on then eventually goes off. I have called onstar several times to run a diagnostic check and nothing shows up. Tt does it on straight roads and curves slow or fast. It also has not come up on my monthly diagnostics from onstar. I have read other complaints regarding the same problem. When I told the service dept. At the dealership they had not heard anything either. Does anyone know what would cause this to happen, how unsafe it is and what does it take for a recall to be issued?

- Cazadero, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 152017

Equinox

  • 97,500 miles
I was driving with my wife and dog in the car late at night in cold iciey conditions in Wyoming. Car began to lose power dramatically, steering was tight, lights dimmed, also engine stalled after a bit a of a slide and safely pulling over. We could have wrecked in the middle of nowhere in the icey cold temperatures. Engine light was one. Traction control light was on. Dash reads 'service stabilitrak' and 'engine power reduced !'. I could not get the car to quit stalling. I wasn't safely able to drive it. So I then did a ECU reset. (disconnect ECU and battery). Sat for 20 minutes. Restarted and still same problem after it idled rough for 5 minutes roughly. So next I disconnected the ECU fuse number 42 in the engine fuse box. I then turned key in first position and had same readings. Next I reset the code with my obd scan tool. Repeated the fuse method again... still same reading but without starting the motor once during this.... my guess is the ECU is volitil to this vehicle motor class. Service bulletin states it needs a reflash. Updates for engine oil consumption as well. Very interesting as we consume too much oil. I believe all motor issues in our vehicle we have now (worn piston rings etc) are due to a faulty ECU. The fact that the warning shows when reset and not connected because the fuse is removed proves to me the ECU is having software issue in rendering proper diagnostics as well as safe engine performance. This incident took place in August of 2017. Problem still persists in dry climates where we live in Texas. Same issues. Same symptoms. New sensors, battery, spark plugs and oil change regularly. This vehicle is unsafe and will take lives if not recalled. Imagine driving on ice with your kids inside and then your steering goes out and the engine loses power and brakes.... is that what it will take?

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 212017

Equinox

  • miles
Every time I stop at a stop light or a stop sign my car will start idling really bad and will come up with the code engine stability. If I do not put it in neutral the car will stall. It does have 131000 miles on it and I had to replace the manifold twice and the timing belts, upstream 02 sensor and have had my mechanic look at it three times. Every time he has replaces some different sensors and for the first few days my car will run then it will progressively get worse and I have to put my car in neutral to get it to stop but even in neutral it will still idle.

- Pleasant Lake, MI, USA

problem #11

Jul 142017

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 60,788 miles
My app sensor going out and when I drive I hear a nose and my car feel like something wrong with my tires. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ontario, OR, USA

problem #10

Aug 112017

Equinox

  • 21,000 miles
First one week ago, the car was slow to turn on when turning the ignition and all the lights on the instrument panel lite up with the message check power steering. Tonight 8/11/17 the car will not turn over, but it still has a working horn, lights. And radio. Check engine light comes on followed by service power steering, service stabiltrack message, electric windows would not roll up, speedometer and RPM gauges move all the way over and back, and all the lights on the electric panel are on. Engine will not turn on.

- Gillette, WY, USA

problem #9

Apr 242017

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 33,886 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While the vehicle was being diagnosed for the stability and service engine soon indicators illuminating the technician informed the contact of water leaking in the area near the spare tire. The vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic for the leaking. The contact also stated that there was a mildew odor in the vehicle. The manufacturer provided reference number: 8-2934661496. The contact inquired as to why a recall was not issued. The manufacturer stated that NHTSA issues recalls and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 33,886. Updated 07/11/17

- Hinesdale, NY, USA

problem #8

Mar 302017

Equinox

  • 106,807 miles
My car shut down while I was driving. I have been having problems with the check engine light coming on.. I am afraid to drive it. I am having it towed to the dealership tomorrow. I am driving a rental. I will never buy another product from this company. I have been reading the complaints. Why have this SUV not been recalled. Are they waiting for someone to be killed before they do this?

- Tabor City, NC, USA

problem #7

Mar 062017

Equinox

  • 83,000 miles
This is my second time in less than 2 years having to have repairs made to this vehicle for the camshaft aculator and solenoid valve. Once again in the middle of driving on the road the car shut off! tried getting it to go by putting it in park and as I put it back in drive and attempted to press the gas it shut off again! I was nearly hit by a car in the mist of all this. Something has got to be done about this malfunction within this vehicle!!! I've seen so many comments by people say the same thing has happened to them in this 2012 Chevy Equinox!! please recall these pieces!

- Columbus, GA, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »