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2011 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
75
Latest Aug 3, 2026
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.
10%
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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 75 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 fuel system

The 25 most recent of 75, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the engine was rattling and vibrating abnormally. During the failure, there was no warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not yet contacted. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11754526
Incident
Feb 1, 2026
Mileage
168,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 21, 2025

While driving, the car wouldn't accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal to the floor. It made funny noises and was jerking. I was told not to drive because of the danger to my engine. The engine light did come on

NHTSA ID
11688729
Incident
Jun 6, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that once the fuel gauge displayed that 1/4 tank of gasoline was available, the vehicle jerked, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the pistons had failed, and the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11673817
Incident
Nov 15, 2024
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle jerked, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the pistons had failed, and the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11673471
Incident
Nov 14, 2024
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 19, 2025

I BOUGHT THIS OFF OF A PRIVATE PERSON ,SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED NOT TAKEN ITS GAS AND DYING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OR SHORT ERRANDS ,I STARTED PUTTING A BUNCH OF MONEY IN IT IVE REPLACED ALL I KNOW TO DO AND IT STILL WONT TAKES ITS GAS ,I HAVE BEEN STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION BEFORE BECAUSE I HAD NO PEDAL IF YOU TURN IT OFF IT STARTS BUT JUST WONT TAKE THE GAS ,I HEARD THIS VEHICAL WAS RECALLED AND I DONT KNOW IF ITS NEVER BEEN FIXED OR WHATS GOING ON WITH IT ,IVE HAD IT TO MANY MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT ,CAN YOU TELL ME IF ANY OF THIS IS ON THE RECALL LIST AND IF ITS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IT ? I CANT DRIVE IT LIKE THIS ITS TOO DANGEROUS . I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 24 , AND ITS NEVER RAN SINCE WITH OUT ISSUES THAT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM OF FIX IT THE RIGHT WAY ,THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11668009
Incident
May 23, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed May 15, 2025

Gas is getting into the crankcase because the GDI Fuel pump is faulty and is causing check engine light and the stability Trax light and caused the reduce engine power light and shuts engine off

NHTSA ID
11661353
Incident
May 15, 2025
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 18, 2025

It burns oil excessively Stalls out while driving Stability traction control comes on Timing chain has to be replaced now Fuel pump needs replacement All this happened at same time My cost is 2700.00

NHTSA ID
11643435
Incident
Feb 7, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2024

No warning lamps. I was 3 quarts low only going 1614 miles from last oil change. Oil consumption , piston rings not correct. No oil leaks just consumes a lot of oil. Low oil made my car stall out while driving. No oil light came on to fill. Piston rings recall , needs replaced. Bought from an individual in July.

NHTSA ID
11613108
Incident
Sep 5, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 3, 2023

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Findlay Chevrolet Chevy has thousands of complaints regarding the 2.4L oil consumption. Thousands! The engine has 97,500 and consumes 2qts in 1,000miles. I requesting that GM helps fix the issue. A normal engine does not even consume 1qt in 3000miles, let alone 2qts in 1,000. It does not leak. The only problem is a GM defect possibly with piston rings which is documented with similar years. On top of this. They had an airbag recall for similar models and years. This vehicle they say, does not have a VIN on the recall. Yet, my “service airbag” error is on. It seems that GM does not care if someone has an airbag that may go off at 70mph. Not do they care about selling people engines that consume oil at a rate that will leave people stranded in the middle of nowhere. Or possibly starting on fire from getting too hot from not having oil in the engine. Thank you for your time INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11536413
Incident
Aug 3, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed May 7, 2023

The vehicle’s engine had been stalling shortly after ignition and when idling. I had it in a repair shop three separate times and was told that it was a problem with the solenoids. The first two times, they were cleaned. They were replaced on the third. I was also told that the vehicle was using an excessive amount of oil, and to bring it in every 3000 miles for an oil change. On the date of the incident, I was traveling home. I took exit 363 off of I-70 onto US-287. While traveling down the off-ramp, the engine stalled. I was unable to brake properly. By the time the vehicle came to a complete stop, I was the middle of a busy crossroads. This particular area sees a lot of traffic, especially semitrailer trucks. When I was next able to get it into be looked at, I chose a different shop because the first had clearly missed something. It was this shop that told me my engine was ruined because it had been being driven without oil, despite not being at the 3000 mile mark yet. The vehicle has not been driven since, as I have not had the $7000 it would cost to replace the engine. Please, if there is any advice or help you can give me, I’d so appreciate words of wisdom. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID
11520857
Incident
Aug 22, 2021
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 16, 2023

After purchasing the vehicle . The vehicle starting malfunctioning. From going into 0rmp to shutting back on after turn the vehicle off. Upon utilizing cruis control the vehicle automatically speeds without pressing the set miles .

NHTSA ID
11501939
Incident
Dec 14, 2022
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 9, 2022

purchased the car from some that passed away and did not get these items fixed before I got it. coverter/ lossing/using oil, and electric power steering system problem

NHTSA ID
11492887
Incident
Nov 9, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 3, 2022

I purchased a 2011 Chevy Equinox LT from a used car dealer in April 2022 with 153,000 miles on it. The second day I had it the brake caliper completely fell off of my front passenger tire causing my wheels to lock. Couple days later I noticed that after an extended time of driving anything more than 10-15 minutes it. The RPMs would fluctuate sometimes dropping down to zero and the vehicle stalls. The excessive amount of oil used in this vehicle is ridiculous I literally got an oil change and a week later it said I was low but my oil notification on my Dash messages said oil life remaining 95% check engine light comes on and it's the p0042 for catalyst system not at threshold. This literally should be a class action lawsuit because this is ridiculous

NHTSA ID
11482709
Incident
Apr 17, 2022
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 19, 2021

The engine oil rings are faulty ,it's a manufacturer issue but lawsuits have been the only outcome .it also has many environmental hazards involved as well as public safety as this vehicle spews massive amounts of oil and gas and other nasty things out onto the road behind it from the exhaust.

NHTSA ID
11417771
Incident
May 19, 2021
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 26, 2021

THE CAR ALWAYS NEEDED OIL, AND WE DID KNOW WHY TIL THE TIMING BELT WENT AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT COST US OVER 2850.00 THEN WE FOUND OUT GM PUT A BAD SPRAY OILER FOR THE TIMING BELT AS FOR THE GOING THROUGH SO MUCH OIL WE ARE UNSURE. I DID HEAR OF A LAWSUIT WE JUST WOULD LIKE OUR MONEY BACK FOR THE MOTOR REPLACEMENT IT'S A VERY BAD LEMON GM ON THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE THEY MADE

NHTSA ID
11413955
Incident
Nov 16, 2020
Mileage
114,279 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 14, 2021

I HAVE HAD CONSTANT HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE VVT SOLENOIDS TWICE, TIMING AND BALANCE SHAFT CHAINS HAD TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MISFIRING. CAN BARELY GO 2 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG. I'VE LOOKED THIS UP AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11402858
Incident
Mar 11, 2021
Mileage
124,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2020

CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAR SHAKES, BALKING WHILE ON IDLE OR STOP ON RED LIGHT, HEAVY CHAIN ROLLING NOISE. SPENT MORE THAN $3K SO FAR BUT STILL COMES WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS EVERY NOW AND THEN. ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CODES SHOW UP WHILE CHECKING. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. WIPER BLADES DON'T CLEAR PROPERLY. PROBLEM LIST CAN GO ON AND ON. CAR SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF AND IT HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES. ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED BY ITSELF AND COULDN'T GO MORE THAN 20 MILES/HOUR ON A HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11353893
Incident
Sep 4, 2020
Mileage
139,165 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, CAMSHAFT, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11290947
Incident
Dec 9, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSeat belts
Filed Dec 7, 2019

MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS, I GOT THE CAR WITH 49,000 MILES ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ALREADY DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. NOW MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION. MY CAR NOW HAS AROUND 130,000 MILES AND I SEEN THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT ALSO POSES A SAFETY RISK AS IT CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE THE CARS ARE IN MOTION. THERE ARE TIMES I ADD A WHOLE QUART OF OIL AND 3 DAYS LATER I HEAR A TICKING NOISE AND MY OIL IS COMPLETELY GONE. MY CAR CONKS OUT AT STOP SIGNS ONCE IN A WHILE, IT TAKES TIME TO ACCELERATE. ALSO MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK IT'S STUCK TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN'T USE IT.

NHTSA ID
11287608
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Fuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 26, 2019

RATTLE AND NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND WHILE IN MOTION, MAKING WEIRD NOISES AND MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING, OCCASIONAL HARD SHIFT, BACK REAR DRIVERS TIRE LOSING PRESSURE FOR NO REASON, PULLING CODE FOR P0420, DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL BUT NO RECALL ON MY VIN OR HISTORY OF RECALL, WHILE OTHERS SAID DEALERS HAD SAID IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL. JUST BOUGHT FROM BAXTER DEALERSHIP IN BELLEVUE, NE TWO WEEKS AGO.

NHTSA ID
11282536
Incident
Nov 26, 2019
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
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2019

FUEL PUMP/ LOW FUEL ISSUES FUEL PUMP FAILING, WHICH IN PART LEAKS FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. RUNNING ERROR CODES. LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT DISPLAYED ON DASH FOLLOWED BY REDUCE POWER. DEALERSHIP ADVISES IT'S A 900 CHARGE. CERTAIN 2011 EQUINOX MODELS FALL UNDER THE PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL 43180 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RECALL. HOWEVER I AM BEING ADVISED MINE DOES NOT ALTHOUGH ISSUE APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH RECALL AT FIRST GLANCE.

NHTSA ID
11265457
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 11, 2019

IT ONLY HAD 42000 MILES ON IT AND EVEN BEFORE IT SOUNDED FUNNY. WE HAD IT HOOKED TO DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SAID THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAM SHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOIDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR FAULTY. GOOGLE IT ONLINE IT COMES UP AS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR OF 2011 CHEVY EQUINIX. BUT WHEN I TOLD THEM AT CHEVY SERVICE CENTER THEY WERE ADDIMENT THAT ONLY CERTAIN VINS AND THATS WHAT THEY GO BY. BUT I TOLD THEM HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHICH ONES ARE AFFECTED IF YOUR NOT TOLD BY CONSUMERS. ONLINE AND ON DIFFERENT SITES COME UP THAT SOME HAVE PROBLEMS AND HAVE RECALLS . WELL OM INFORMING THEM THAT THERES AN ISSUE BUT SINCE ITS NOT ON THEIR DATA BASE OR MY VIN THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. THE CAR WHEN DRIVING SHUTS OFF SOMETIMES. OR WHEN I START IT AND BEGIN TO DRIVE IT SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11254768
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
44,350 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2019

2011 CHEVY EQUINOX TICKING ENGINE AND ERRATICALLY IDLES. RUNS ROUGH AND SHIFTING IS INCONSISTENT. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN IS BAD. $1500 REPAIR! TIMING CHAINS ARE MEANT TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, THESE ONES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED YEARS AGO. MY CAR HAS 125K MILES. HATE CHEVY

NHTSA ID
11254739
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Mileage
125,000 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
11245955
Incident
Aug 20, 2019
Mileage
85,000 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.

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