2011 Chevrolet Equinox Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine41839.2%
- Powertrain (other)13913.1%
- Driver assistance948.8%
- Visibility767.1%
- Fuel system757.0%
- Electrical736.9%
- Airbags524.9%
- Steering434.0%
- Brakes282.6%
- Body & structure171.6%
- Seat belts131.2%
- Other / unspecified90.8%
- Interior & seats90.8%
- Suspension60.6%
- Transmission60.6%
- Tires & wheels40.4%
- Exterior lighting20.2%
- Heating & air conditioning10.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Vehicle burns excessive oil. Have to put in a quart weekly. Check engine light comes on for camshaft sensor, they’ve already been replaced 3 times and the light won’t go off.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Jerking between gears
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop the following day, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Wipers have stopped working, have had it repaired twice and they keep quitting.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the windshield wiper was activated, the windshield wiper arms detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was in a rear end collision on May 14th 2026 the impact of the speed totaled my car in my airbags did not deploy and from my understanding where the sensors are on my vehicle they should have I ended up getting a concussion and soft tissue damage because my head hit the steering wheel my seat belt did not lock either.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the message to “Service Air Bags” was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,243.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed a small amount of fluid within the engine compartment. The dealer later determined that the fluid was power steering fluid. However, the dealer was unable to determine the exact location of the leak. The contact was advised to continue driving the vehicle for 1 week then return for a follow-up inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
My brakes went to the floor going 55 then they got really hard to press almost wrecked had to get towed! Then after that the suspension felt really loose
MY ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WAS TOLD IT'S A BAD SENSOR AND REPLACE WHEN POSSIBLE. ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, (NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENTED) I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED MY BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY THE ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS MORE THAN 1/2' AND MADE A GEAR LOCKING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP USING MANUAL DOWNSHIFT AND PUMPING THE BRAKES. WHEN PRESENTING TO MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE. READ THAT AGAIN. I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE A BRAKE FAILURE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was in a rear end collision on May 14th 2026 the impact of the speed totaled my car in my airbags did not deploy and from my understanding where the sensors are on my vehicle they should have I ended up getting a concussion and soft tissue damage because my head hit the steering wheel my seat belt did not lock either.
TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREET, 30 MPH, WAS T-BONED IN CENTER OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY? DAMAGE TO BOTH DOORS, CENTER AND LOWER PILLAR, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BAR BENT. CONCUSSION AND BRUISING FROM INSIDE PILLAR TO DRIVER. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT AT TIME OF COLLISION
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver's side seat belt was released, evidently striking a hard object, and damaged so that it is not operable. The plastic on the closure was shattered and the spring is gone. I have been to the dealer, Chevy Exchange in Lake Bluff, IL., and was told by the service advisor, Rick Eggan, that it will cost over $400. to repair and replace the entire mechanism. Meanwhile, I cannot use the seat belt since I cannot release it once it is locked in place.
1) SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON DESPITE HAVING SEATBELTS SECURED. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND STAYS ON THROUGHOUT ALL ASPECTS OF DRIVING UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. 2) SERVICE STABILITRAC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE THE RADIO FLICKERS OFF AND ON, AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WERE POSSESSED. 3) THE PREVIOUS ENGINE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. IT RESULTED IN THE PREVIOUS ENGINE BEING REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. NEW ENGINE IS BURNING OIL JUST AS FAST AS THE OLD ONE. WITHING ONE MONTH THE DIPSTICK WAS REGISTERING AS BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE WITH 2 MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 3K MILES LEFT BEFORE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, PER JIFFY LUBE'S STICKER.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 !
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated when entering the vehicle and sitting on the driver's seat, the seat dropped impairing the contact's access to visibility and ability to steer safely. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V447000 (Seats). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
TAKATA INFLATORS
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
My brakes went to the floor going 55 then they got really hard to press almost wrecked had to get towed! Then after that the suspension felt really loose
FIRST TIME: MARCH 21 - NJ TURNPIKE. CAR "STABILITRAK ICON" AND SERVICE STABILITRAK" MSG & "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR" LIGHT, THEN "BRAKE ICON" AND "ABS ICON" WITH "SERVICE POWER STEERING" MSG, THEN "SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM" MSG - ALL WHILE THE ICONS ARE ON - CAR LOST ALL POWER. CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NJ TURNPIKE AT ALMOST EXIT 18E/W. HAD VEHICLE TOWED, TOOK FIRST TO FIRESTONE A DAY LATER, THE FOUND A CODE THEY SAID NEEDED THE CHEVY COMPUTERS (P069E, U0073, D1231) - TOOK TO CHEVY A WEEK LATER (BELLAVIA CHEVY, RUTHERFORD, NJ), DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NO CODES - COULD BE THE BATTERY. WE CLEANED THE PORTS, CHANGED THE BATTERY. HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED AT FIRESTONE ON 4/9. 4/9 PICKED UP THE CAR, THIS TIME DRIVING FROM NORTHERN NJ TO BROOKLYN AND THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VERRIZANO BRIDGE IN STATEN ISLAND. ALL THE SAME LIGHTS / SYMPTOMS AS ABOVE, LOST ALL POWER. MANAGED TO GET OFF AT THE 92ND STREET EXIT AND INTO A PARKING SPACE - TOWED TO PARENTS HOUSE IN BROOKLYN, MADE APPT W/ CHEVY DEALER FOR MONDAY 4/12 (BAY RIDGE CHEVROLET OF BROOKLYN). VEHICLE IS NOW WITH THEM, AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC - THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND FOR THE FIRST DEALER TO NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE / GET A CODE AND THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. I'M NOW OVER 500.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS FEES THAT DID NOT FIX ANYTHING. BOTH TIMES WERE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WEATHER CONDITIONS WE GOOD BOTH DAYS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASION, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RE-ENGAGE WHILE MAKING A SLOW ROLLING TURN FROM A CENTER TURNING LANE INTO A DRIVEWAY. IN BOTH SITUATION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE LEAVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN EACH SITUATION, THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE PLACED IN PARK, SHUT OF AND THEN RE-STARTED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2012 AND THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2013. THE DEALER EXAMINED AND TESTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. WHEN THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sidewall of tire blew while traveling at about 70 MPR on 4 month old tire. 225/65R17
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN, TIRE LINE: LATITUDE TOUR, TIRE SIZE: 235 55R/18 TIRES. DOT# M33J007X2510. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD EXPERIENCED TIRE SEPARATION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPOSED FABRIC FROM THE SEPARATION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY NO SIGNS OF WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP CAR ONLY HAD 84000 MILES ON IT WAS TOLD MY ENGINE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED FROM TIMING CHAIN SUPPOSEDLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 6000 DOLLARS LATER TOTAL REPLACEMENT 😡 THANK GOD MY FAMILY WAS NOT HURT IN THIS EVENT CALLED GM CORP TO COMPLAIN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL NOT HAPPY FROM WHAT I READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS I JUST HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT!!!!!!!!! ALSO THEY SAID NO RECALL AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS NEW EQUINOX, THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND VARIABLE MILES OF TRAVEL. I INFORMED THE GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THEY SAID THE LITTLE KNOB ON THE DASH NEEDED TO ADJUSTED. THIS DID NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT GARAGES AND TOLD THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO ENTER IT INTO THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE. NONE OF THEM HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY FACTOR WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE NOW IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, CHEVROLET IS TRYING TO CHARGE US 100-200$ BUT WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE, NOT SURE IF WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS LEGAL, CAN THEY REALLY CHARGE TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY? I THINK THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTION IS A SYMPTOM OF A MUCH GREATER PROBLEM, I.E. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OR COMPUTERS ONBOARD THE CAR. ONSTAR SAYS SEVERAL THINGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON THE CAR, BUT THE GOVERNMENT RECALL SITE HAS NONE OF THOSE ITEMS LISTED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .