5.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,249 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 #15

Aug 102021

Equinox

  • miles
The oil consumption in the engine for general use is by far way more than average, you don't even get to the" time to change your oil" notice from the vehicle before most of your oil is gone from your motor.The oil light never comes on to inform you of the low oil in the motor but with the low oil engine sensors for cam position light the check engine light and after awhile the vehicle goes into what I would call limp mode with acceleration decreased which would be dangerous at highway speeds if it happened then

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA

problem #14

Dec 212020

Equinox

  • miles
Vehicle had been stalling at least every other day for the past couple of months when stepping on the gas to go. It has turned off on several occasions when coming to a stop or red light at the point I step on the gas. Additionally, the vehicles engine sounds forced and trembles on it own on a daily basis, even when in park mode.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #13

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 #12

Jul 072015

Equinox

  • 50,800 miles
I was driving about 20 miles per hour when all the gauges on the dash board went crazy. The eco fuel economy light was flashing on and off, the stabili trak lights appeared on the dashboard without me even touching the button, the speedometer and engine coolant temperature gauge were going up and down eradically. The check engine indicator then appeared on the dash board. I stopped at a red light, when I went to step on the accelerator, I had no power. The accelerator was pushed to the floor and I was going about 5 miles and hour. All the above was still happening on the dashboard. The ac was now blowing warm air. It smelled like something was burning. This happened three times. In the end the speedometer wasn't working. I reached somewhere safe and parked the car. I went to shift the car into drive and there was a hard loud clunking noise. This only happened when the car was shifted into drive. My husband took the car to auto zone where they printed out the codes appearing for the check engine indicator. ( P069E, P0700, U0073, U0100) the battery in the car has also been replaced with a new one twice. It has been towed to the dealership twice due to not starting the next day after it has been driven the day before and working normal. We took the car to the Chevrolet dealership. They understood what had happened. That evening they called us back saying, " we can't duplicate the problem, so everything is fine." We lost our mind and told them to keep the car at the dealership until they could duplicate the problem becuase the car isn't three years old and shouldn't have these problems. Further, the car isn't safe!! we read blogs where this is common with the Equinox and indicated that to the dealership. The car is still at the dealership.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #11

Mar 182015

Equinox 4-cyl

  • miles
My vehicle has been jerking and it feels like it is being held back. I can hear/feel it shifting. It down shifts causing the car to noticeably jerk the entire car. My car just stalled, died three times yesterday. I have children and this is not ok. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #10

Feb 012013

Equinox

  • 36,000 miles
After 36K miles, the car steering would stick and slip. Pa dealer could not replicate as this would happen at higher speed 65mph. But, under extended warranty, the dealer replaced the steering rack due to a technical bulletin report about steering sticking/slipping. The problem went away and came back after 36K more miles on the new steering rack. Car is at va dealer today for diagnostic test as I moved. Car also hesitates and jerks back when accelerating and has done that since a year after owned vehicle. Love the car design but I am afraid to drive it as I feel like I don't have control over steering. At times steering feels loose car has slipped on ice and cannot control steering. I'm very disappointed and feel the steering design is poor. Steering rack design is a simple concept and don't understand why this is a poor design. I'm skeptical about keeping the car as I don't feel safe driving.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #9

Jul 242014

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 500 miles
Vehicle will accelerate unexpectedly or sputter or pause before accelerating. Vehicle has stalled out several times. Radio preset station zeros out or radio station randomly changes. Clock does not work on a regular basis. Key fob locks and door opener randomly stops working until key fob is put into the ignition. Warning lights on dash come on randomly, mostly on washer fluid and tire pressure.

- Deridder, LA, USA

problem #8

Aug 212014

Equinox

  • 75,000 miles
Car stalled while driving down highway and had to pull off to the side. It started last week dying when I was backing up. It also would jerk when at a stop light when I pressed the gas pedal. But today driving down the road I notice my air conditioner quit and then realized my car was no longer going when pressing the gas pedal. After impeding traffic I finally was able to coax car off to the side of the road.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #7

Jul 192014

Equinox

  • 52,000 miles
I went to slow down my vehicle to exit off of freeway. Upon touching the brake, the care accelerated and stcu until I hit the brake. I phoned GM via onstar as this scared me. I thought it was a fluke however I still wanted it documented. This past week, July 28th 2014, I once again was traveling and went to slow down to take off cruise control and my RPM's jumped and stuck at 6-7. I could feel and hear them engine as the acceleration appeared to be stuck (again) this is very concerning happening twice now, both of which I believe have something to do with the cruise control as both incidents I had cruise control set and braking to slow down. Not hard brakes, gentle. Last summer of 2013, I had a rear right tire blow out going over 70 miles an hour on the highway. I did not know until now there was a recall. I phoned (pushed button) onstar after the incident as a tow truck had to come and take to the dealership. I had to replace all 4 tires on my than year old vehicle approx. 29000 miles on it. I had advised onstar I had no warning and wanted to know why the system did not alert em but no one had an answer. Also, when I first purchased my Equinox in July 2012, the car had a knock and I reported it. Can you please help me. On this last incident last week with the accelerator sticking, I pushed my onstar button advising them what had happened and to please transfer me to GM care so I could let them know, however, after remaining on hold for to long I hung up. No one has followed up with me regarding either incident. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

problem #6

Jul 182013

Equinox 6-cyl

  • 25 miles
When pressing the gas peddle when going around 30 miles per hour there is a hesitation then a surge. It has been doing that since purchase.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #5

May 232014

Equinox

  • 19,600 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the brakes failed to respond. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated independently causing the contact to apply force to the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,600.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 302012

Equinox

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Equinox. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission issues. A month after purchasing the vehicle, the consumer stated the vehicle was sluggish, as the transmission was not shifting correctly. The next occurrence happened on January 2, 2013. The consumer stated before she could come to a complete stop, the vehicle stopped on its own, as if she hit a stone wall. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but they were unable to find a problem. Also, the vehicle would stall, when slowing down. There was a noise coming from the front end. The dealer called the consumer to let her know, they ordered some bolts, so they could be bolted to the frame. On another occasion, while the cruise control was set, the consumer applied the brake, but the vehicle did not stop. The consumer returned to the dealer, because of a grinding/grating noise coming from the vehicle. On several occasions, the vehicle went into a high rate of rate speed and applying the brakes, did not stop the vehicle. Updated 03/27/14

- Amenia, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 022012

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 6,500 miles
When the car is excelling from a stopped position, around the time the car is reaching 10 mph, braking for a complete stop than having to accelerate before coming to a complete stop; such as when a stopping for a red light and the light turns green, or slowing down from exiting the interstate the vehicle will shift hard, making a 'clunk' type sound. Also, while driving under normal conditions the steering wheel will make sudden small jerking motion. Both problems have occurred multiple times, in various driving conditions. The cruise has been on and off when the steering issue has occurred; the traction control has been on and off when the steering issue has occurred. I drive in 'eco' mode regularly. And I am not including sudden stops in this complaint.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

problem #2

Sep 242012

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 1,920 miles
After applying the brakes to make a right turn, I then applied the gas to go around a corner. Upon applying the gas, the engine revved up much faster than it would normally. I quickly applied the brakes, and stopped forward movement. However, the engine continued to "rev". I put the gear in "neutral" and then "park", the motor continuing to "rev". I drove about 50 ft to the top of the hill, put the gear in neutral, then park, and then shut the motor off. I let the car sit about 30 seconds and started the engine. The engine "revved" as before so I did the neutral, park, engine off sequence again and waited about 30 seconds to start the engine. Same problem. After shutting off the engine this time, however, I waited about 4 or 5 minutes to start the engine. This time the engine speed was normal so I drove home. The dealer was notified, and the dealer had the car towed to its dealership where it is at this time. The dealer is van Chevrolet-Cadillac in Kansas City, mo.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #1

Sep 152011

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 75 mph, the contacts erroneously brushed against the roller button for the cruise control. The cruise control activated and the vehicle accelerated abnormally. The contact stated that the failure occurred sporadically and was concerned with the placement of the cruise control switch, stating that the component was positioned awkwardly on the steering wheel where his hands were. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was designed with the button in that manner and they were unable to assist. The contact stated he would have the cruise control disabled. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100. Updated 12/12/11 the consumer stated the cruise control would lock in at any speed if the cruise control roller switch was brushed against accidently while driving.but, often at times the speed that locked in was higher than the speed he was travelling.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA