RoadVitals

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
94
Latest May 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 781 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 94 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 94, in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed May 23, 2025

three times now my gas pedal has stuck down to the floor and had unsafe speeds reaching 95mph this is unsafe for us and others on the road wrote GM several times now with no help from them this needs to be checked out for everyone out there how many wrecks and rear end collision happened because of this acceleration issue mine seem to happen when you take it off cruise control and then accelerate the gas pedal but he dealerships can't find an answer I am asking for your help before someone get killed because no one wants to take action

NHTSA ID
11662761
Incident
Apr 9, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed May 15, 2025

To whom it may concern: I am writing to notify you that I own a 2011 Chevy Equinox and take very good care of my vehicles. But I wanted to let you know that I have had three incidents in which the gas pedal sticks, and the vehicle goes up to 95 miles an hour. I have contacted the dealership and GM to let them know of this. They cannot explain why this is happening. GM just said trade it in. Well, that's a possibility and who says if the next person purchases it that this could happen to them. So far, we have been able to avoid an accident. I am wondering if anyone else has had this complaint because GM says no., I feel it has something to do with the cruise control that it has a computer glitz. Can you investigate this if anyone else has had this problem.

NHTSA ID
11661253
Incident
Apr 9, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 23, 2024

I bought my 2011 Equinox new then in 2013 the gas pedal went to the floor and stuck down on a two lane road and I could not control the speed as we react 90 I shut down the vechical took it to the dealership the next day the chevolet co had the dealership dump the on board computer and then down load a new program this worked until the other day we were coming home from taking another couple to there dentist appointments on the way home the gas pedal sucked right to the floor again the speed rose to the 90 we were on a four lane I had cars behinde me but not in front i keep trying to get the foot up i was afraid if i shut it offf we would get rear ended every one was scared i told them what was going on as the speeds keeped increasing trying to hit the brakes to slow some down and taping on the gas pedal i tried prying the pedal up with my foot and after the third attemp it poped up. I call chevolet they said they were not going to do anything about it I told them this is a big safty issue there commet was the vechical is out of warranty and miles I ony have 103K on it and very well maintained with Birdnow chevorlet great dealership Chevrolet is not taking these gas pedal sticking down serious I read were there are several vechical with this same problem and it will take people getting hurt or killed before something down Thank You

NHTSA ID
11584819
Incident
Apr 19, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 6, 2023

ACCELERATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. HAD TO PLACE CAR IN NUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE TO REGAIN CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
11530590
Incident
Jul 4, 2023
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2022

Engine Check Light On took in for diagnostic and was told nothing was wrong just over heated. Taken in multiple times. Finally on February 10, 2022 a visual inspection of leak was done to find rear main seal blew out and leaking oil! At which point it was recommended replacing engine. Through a search on 2011 Chevrolet Equinox it was found to be a common problem for this model. Also mentioned was transmission issues with jerky or slippage in gears ⚙️ in Automatic/Manual transmissions combination types! Plus having trouble with speed control revving up, going up and down hills as concerning with gas pedal sticking!

NHTSA ID
11489694
Incident
Feb 10, 2022
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2022

stability control has come on the engine and it have reduce speed

NHTSA ID
11464725
Incident
Jul 24, 2020
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 24, 2021

Transmission is slipping out of first gear to second, reverse Sticks, hard shifts from first gear to second gear to third gear

NHTSA ID
11437945
Incident
Oct 11, 2021
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 21, 2021

My car was purchased used at a Chevrolet dealership. I noticed right away that the carjerks when I accelerate, it also stalls when trying to accelerate when making a turn which cam cause an accident. The vehicle revs and slowly moves and then takes off. Its a dragging motion when driving its very slow. The steering wheel locks when turning as if I need power steering fluid. This car is a hazard, waiting to happen. When starting it, it makes this loud humming noise. I just had it inspected and the mechanic said the car was fine, but driving it is a different story.

NHTSA ID
11425815
Incident
Jul 20, 2021
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 6, 2021

BOUGHT THE EQUINOX USED.SURE WISH I WOULD HAVE RESEARCHED BETTER. IT RAN DRY OF OIL. DASH READ 55% OIL LIFE AT THE TIME. CAR JUST CUT OFF ON ME AND AFTER DISCOVERING A DRY DIPSTICK AND REPLENISHING OIL, IT SOUNDED LIKE A BROKEN SEWING MACHINE, VERY LOUD RATTLING! CAR SHAKES SO BAD WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE ARE SCARED IT IS JUST GOING TO DIE IN TRAFFIC.CAR WILL NOT IDLE TO WARM UP. IT CUTS OFF.AND ONCE I GET GOING, I ALMOST HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL STEADILY TO KEEP IT RUNNING. HORRIBLE!!! AND MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

NHTSA ID
11415392
Incident
Mar 15, 2021
Mileage
154,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 3, 2021

MY REPAIR STABILTRAK LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT , IS ON . MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT IS ON . ALL OF SUDDEN WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC MY CAR LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION AND MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED . I HAVE TO PULL OVER SO I'M NOT REAR ENDED . THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND ON HIGHWAY . THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STABILTRAK/ TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. I ONLY HAVE 89,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE . I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON CHEVY EQUINOX . I'M WORRIED ABOUT BEING KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE MY VEHICLE LOSES POWER WITHOUT WARNING . THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED !

NHTSA ID
11406213
Incident
Mar 13, 2021
Mileage
89,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 2020

VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE, POOR DRIVEABILITY, AND ALSO STALLED AT LOW THROTTLE OPENING WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODE P0010

NHTSA ID
11365627
Incident
Oct 20, 2020
Mileage
129,500 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Seat belts
Filed Jun 19, 2020

I DROVE HOME AND PARKED MY CAR. WHEN TO STARTED MY CAR THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD ONLY BACKWARDS. I HAD KNOW IDEA THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING. I WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALER MANY TIMES EARLIER FOR OIL CONSUMPTION AND MY THE SOUND OF MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID THAT THE JUST SOUND OF THE CAR. IF THEY HAD BEEN HONEST AND TOLD ME THE TRUTH I COULD HAVE GOTTEN MY TRANSMISSION FIXED MANY YEARS EARLIER. THANKFULLY MY OIL CONSUMPTION WAS FIXED ONLY BECAUSE I CALLED CORPORATE AND PUSHED THE ISSUE. I BELIEVED THE DEALER WHEN HE TOLD ME ALL THE EQUINOX SOUND LIKE THAT. NOW I HAVE TO PAY OVER $3000.00 FOR THAT LIE. MY CAR IS BEING FIXED BY HOBBY'S TRANSMISSION IN HICKSVILLE, NY AS WE SPEAK. MY CAR IS A LEMON. CORPORATE TOLD ME THAT MY CARE WAS IN THE BATCH OF CARS THAT HAVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I WILL BE CALLING THEM ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION ON MONDAY, 6/22/20. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329789
Incident
Jun 14, 2020
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed May 13, 2020
2 injuries reported2 deaths reported

IT KEEPS CUTTING OFF AND THE OIL KEEPS GOING EMPTY SOME SAY RECALL 11195A MITE BE THE PROBLEM BUT I DON'T KNOW JUS GOT THE CAR AND WHEN I START IT UP THE PEDDLE GETS STUCK AND STARTS RITE BACK UP IN MOTION AND SOON AS YOU BACK UP AND SOON AS YOU TURN OUT IT CUTS OFF ON THE HIGH WAY AND ON CITY STREET AND TURNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324351
Incident
May 13, 2020
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 21, 2020

I STARTED HAVING ISSUES AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS OF BUYING MY VEHICLE. MY RPM WOULD SPUTTER AND I WOULD ALWAYS CHECK MY OIL AND IT WOULD BE A QUART LOW. THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND I CONTINUED TO DRAIN MONEY INTO MY VEHICLE WITH BUYING OIL. I REPLACED SEALS THINKING IT WAS A OIL LEAK AND IT WASN'T IT. MY ENGINE FINALLY WAS JUST SHOT SO NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR AND OWE MONEY ON IT STILL AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE BC I DID RESEARCH ON IT AND A LOT OF COMPLIANTS ON THIS CAR BURNING OIL. CRAZY THAT NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I GUESS CHEVY IS CRAP NOW AND JUST WANT TO LOOSE CUSTOMERS. I WON'T BE BUYING A CHEVY AGAIN AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND

NHTSA ID
11300616
Incident
Nov 12, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 31, 2019

THIS SHOULD CLEARLY BE A RECALL BASED ON ALL THE POSTE EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ALL MY LIGHTS COME ON STABILITRACK, ABS, CHECK ENGINE, STEERING FLUID. I BARELY HAVE ANY POWER, AND MY SPEED SENSOR NO LONGER READS AT ALL. ALSO MY OIL BURNS EXTREMELY FAST. LINK TO FORUM WHERE EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HTTPS://CHEVROLETFORUM.COM/FORUM/EQUINOX-23/SERVICE-STABILITRAK-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-62780/PAGE11/

NHTSA ID
11292272
Incident
Dec 31, 2019
Mileage
121,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 23, 2019

A FEW DAYS AGO AFTER WORK I STOPPED FOR GAS AND TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE HOME. I LIVE IN A CITY WITH TRAFFIC SO I IDLE A LOT. WHILE STOPPED, MY 'SERVICE STABILITRAK' AND 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' CAME ON. THERE WAS NO WHERE I COULD GO BUT UP THE EXPRESSWAY. ONCE I SPED UP, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER ON TOP OF THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, EVERYTHING STARTED FLICKERING AND THEN IT HAD NO ELECTRICITY RUNNING AT ALL. NOT EVEN MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS. THIS WAS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE PPL ARE DRIVING REALLY FAST NEXT TO ME AND AND IT WAS ALREADY NIGHT TIME. I FINALLY GOT HELP AND HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT MORNING. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION BUT STILL NO SIGN OF LIFE UNTIL AFTER IT WAS TOWED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN JUST YET BUT I AM EXTREMELY SCARED TO DRIVE IT AS I AM A SINGLE PARENT WITH NO FAMILY IN THIS NEW CITY.

NHTSA ID
11281948
Incident
Nov 18, 2019
Mileage
119,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2019

SHORTLY AFTER I FINANCED THE VEHICLE IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHILE IDLING, IF I IDLE TOO LONG IT WILL START TO SHAKE AND WILL SHUT DOWN. I HAVE POURED MONEY INTO FIXING THE VEHICLE AND SPENT THE LAST TWO 3 YEARS TRYING TO FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF IT SHUTTING DOWN. I WILL LOSE THROTTLE IN THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WILL JUST TURN OFF OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I'M DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOME. IT SEEMS TO NOT LIKE WHEN I IDLE OR DRIVE SLOW WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I'M DRIVING FAST THE GAS PEDAL KEEPS THROTTLE IF I DRIVE TOO SLOW IT'S A RISK FOR IT TO STARTING TO SHAKE AND SHUT DOWN AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM MECHANICS HAVE FOUND PARTS THAT WERE YEARS PAST DUE OF NEEDING REPLACING. SO WHILE THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT LOOKED POSSIBLE WITH A CONDITION IT WAS IN EVERY TIME WE WOULD THINK THAT WE HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH FIVE MECHANICS TRYING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE AND IT IS BECOMING A NIGHTMARE NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ID
11269167
Incident
Apr 2, 2019
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 3, 2019

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING WHEN I WENT OVER TRAIN TRACKS. AS SOON AS I DID MY "STBILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON. ALL WHEEL DRIVE TURNED OFF AS WELL AS ABS. MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I TRIED TO BREAK AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'M UPSET WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A CHEVY, BUT I THINK THEY QUALITY IN WORK IS DECREASING. I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CAR I WILL GET NEXT. I PREFER CHEVY SINCE IT'S ALL OUR FAMILY HAS EVERY BOUGHT, HOWEVER I'M SICK OF HAVING UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11265966
Incident
Oct 3, 2019
Mileage
5 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 5, 2019

CAT CONVERTER GONE OUT, ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKES ARE MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND, WHEN I GET IT FIXED IT'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11253398
Incident
Jul 31, 2018
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 27, 2019

STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR DIED WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO BACK AND FORTH 3 TIMES AND ALL POWER IS THERE BUT ENGINE IS TOTALLY DEAD. SOMETIMES AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR WILL START. I HAVE HAD 4 MECHANICS, 3 WERE DEALERS, AND NOBODY COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON.....AND YET I WAS CHARGED 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO 2 STREET MECHANICS AND BOTH WITHOUT HESITATION SAID IT IS THE PCM COMPUTER. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND CONTINUED PROBLEMS I AM NOW ORDERING A NEW PCM AND INSTALLING IT MYSELF. THERE IS ALSO A TICKING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO BAFFLE THE MECHANICS. AND THE CAR CONSUMES TONS OF OIL. UNFORTUNATELY I AM SEEING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS OUT THERE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES AND CHEVROLET IS NOT HELPING. SHAME ON YOU CHEVROLET!

NHTSA ID
11251873
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2019
Crash reported

REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT GMC DEALERSHIP SHOWED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2015 UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUED. 2018 ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE IDLING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. DROVE ALMOST 400 MILES ON "NEW TRANSMISSION" AC NOT WORKING, IDLES WITH HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN FAN IS RUNNING. NOW SEAT BELTS LIGHTS FLASH AND ALARM DESPITE SEAT BELTS IN BUCKLED POSITION. ENGINE GOES TO POWER DOWN /SAVE MODE WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY. THIS POWER DOWN (REDUCTION) HAPPENS STALLS AND WONT DRIVE. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND RATTLE AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK AND REMOVING KEY (WHEN TURNED OFF)

NHTSA ID
11245955
Incident
Aug 20, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2019
Crash reported

REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT GMC DEALERSHIP SHOWED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2015 UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUED. 2018 ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE IDLING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. DROVE ALMOST 400 MILES ON "NEW TRANSMISSION" AC NOT WORKING, IDLES WITH HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN FAN IS RUNNING. NOW SEAT BELTS LIGHTS FLASH AND ALARM DESPITE SEAT BELTS IN BUCKLED POSITION. ENGINE GOES TO POWER DOWN /SAVE MODE WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY. THIS POWER DOWN (REDUCTION) HAPPENS STALLS AND WONT DRIVE. ENGINE CONTINUES TO SHAKE AND RATTLE AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK AND REMOVING KEY (WHEN TURNED OFF)

NHTSA ID
11245954
Incident
Aug 20, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 16, 2019

CAR WILL THROW CODES P0700/U0073/U1000 - LOOSES ENGINE POWER, CHECK STABILITRAK LIGHTS UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL BUCK, ODOMETER/RPM GAUGE/TEMP GAUGE WILL BECOME ERRATIC. TOOK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOESN'T HAPPEN DAILY - SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START/UNABLE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11244385
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
78,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineVisibility
Filed Jul 26, 2019

FIRST EQUINOX OWNED - GM REPLACED ENGINE AT NO COST TO ME. THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER EQUINOX. OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX FWD 2.4 LITER ENGINE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; STALLING WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS, ETC.; ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY; MULTIPLE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED; WIPER TRANSMISSION REPLACED; CLATTERING NOISE WITHIN ENGINE THAT CANNOT BE FIXED PER MECHANIC; STABLITRAK AND ABS LIGHTS ON; LIMP MODE SEVERAL TIMES. HAVE SPENT MANY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. GOING TO GM FOR COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. 126,600 MILES AT PRESENT. PURCHASED 9/8/2016 WITH 80,437 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11234961
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2019

MY HUSBAND, NEWBORN BABY AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURED EVERY TIME MY HUSBAND USED THE BRAKES. LUCKILY WE MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICHLE CONSTANTLY NEEDS OIL AND THEN IT DIED FOR THE LAST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO AS WE PULLED INTO A FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11229105
Incident
May 7, 2019
Mileage
110,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .