2021 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

The high pressure fuel pump seized, shattering the camshaft, dropping metal fragments into the cylinders causing total engine failure. GM issued a safety recall for certain 2021-2022 Chevy equinox due to a defective fuel pump modules but it was not accurate. GM is currently facing major class action lawsuits alleging that their equinox fuel pumps are fundamentally defective. The lawsuits highlight that the component fails, causing catastrophic damage and GMs initial recall fixes were inadequate.

NHTSA ID

11751317

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a busy highway, the engine seized, and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The local Police assisted in pushing the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a failed Camshaft position sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later towed to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that a routine oil change was performed on the vehicle a couple of weeks prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11749103

Incident

May 8, 2026

Mileage

86,000 mi

I was driving in GA and my low engine power light came on and I lost complete ability to brake. The brake pedal was hard and would not go down. I towed my car to Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta. They called a few days later and told me I needed extensive engine repairs that would cost over $5,000 but GM would take care of some of it. I paid $1980.00. I went to pick up my car and was nervous because I lost brakes on a highway and was afraid. I asked them if they were sure everything was repaired and I would be safe and they told me it was tested extensively and driven and all was good. I drove around 2 hours after leaving and my engine light came on and my brakes failed again going 70 miles an hour surrounded by semis. I called Jim Ellis and they told me to tow it to Walter Jackson who told me it was a vacuum pump that they would have had to remove during the repairs. In addition there is a class action against GM about these pumps for my year and make of car. I have asked for a refund from Jim Ellis contacting ownership, GM, Service Team and no one will respond to my calls or emails. I filed a customer complaint with GM and they are accepting zero responsibility as well. I paid thousands of dollars between both repairs and rental cars and the least I would like for them putting my life and others around me at risk on a freeway is my money back.

NHTSA ID

11742151

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

The check engine light came on and the engine lowered performance because the intercooler froze and cracked. Despite there being a service update to stop that from happening, we were never informed of the update from Chevy, only once it had happened did they tell us about the update and included it in the repair cost.

NHTSA ID

11720694

Incident

Jan 28, 2026

CASE NUMBER 11715650 , check engine light went on , and the vehicle reduced speed, I took car into dealership, they said the engine had an ice problem and a repair would be needed, they said that this was a flaw in design, and it should be part of a recall, and that this is a common problem with this vehicle. the cost of a repair would be around $1000.00 . T fill this should be covered by the manufacture because of a design flaw.

NHTSA ID

11715945

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact resumed driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH on the Expressway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a factory defect. The dealer determined that the turbo wastegate solenoid, the charge air cooler, and the TCV wrap needed to be replaced with an aftermarket part. The parts were ordered; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ID

11715650

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Mileage

52,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was driven approximately 500 feet and was parked. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact researched and stated that the vehicle had a known failure in the fuel system. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ID

11700546

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

Mileage

151,000 mi

My vehicle has 75,607 miles and the transmission gave out randomly started stalling and jumping and it won’t switch gears correctly and this has been a problem for a lot of other equinox’s as well

NHTSA ID

11682987

Incident

May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that occasionally while coming to a stop, the vehicle unintendedly shut off, with the check engine warning light intermittently flashing. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,865.

NHTSA ID

11670912

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

Mileage

87,865 mi

My vehicle has been completely shutting off without warnings on me on major freeways , highways , roadways, other motorists gives my car a jump each time. This is a serious safety hazard for me & other motorists

NHTSA ID

11670901

Incident

Jun 25, 2025

I was driving my vehicle and went to make a left turn out of a parking lot into traffic and my engine shut off and my car rolled into traffic and the check engine light turned on. All of the other functions in the car stayed on i.e. radio, air and all the lights. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic the mechanic was unable to diagnose my car so it was then brought to a chevy dealership. The dealership stated my car worked fine with no issues and tried to return the vehicle back to me I insisted they keep testing the vehicle. They drove the vehicle around the parking lot again in circles and the cars engine shut off and is unable to be turned back on. GM and CHEVY are stating they have no idea why this is happening. I am very concerned about this considering they tried to return the vehicle to me stating their were no issues and ignoring my concerns at first, I had to insist that they keep checking the vehicle and now it will not even turn on.

NHTSA ID

11668584

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

Oil consumption issue requiring engine tear down.

NHTSA ID

11665455

Incident

May 30, 2025

I was driving in rush hour traffic on a freeway in Houston when the engine lost power and stalled out (50 mph) without warning. I had to remain on the freeway while cars whizzed past me. Car finally started back up after 30 minutes of trying. Vehicle only has 8800 miles on it and acted like it had run out of gas as it sputtered before dying. Engine light came on and remained on after it finally started back up. All fluids in range and was at 1/2 tank of gas. In process of diagnostics.

NHTSA ID

11626768

Incident

Nov 21, 2024

Car would stall suddenly mid intersection or street. There is an active recall for a fuel pump module with no known date of resolution. Fuel Pump Module would not provide adequate gas to the engine. This happened twice to me as I was driving on April 4th 2023. After speaking to Chevy & Dealership, there is not yet a fix to this problem. This car is UNSAFE and needs to be removed from the roads. I traded this car in, because I felt unsafe since Chevy could not help me.

NHTSA ID

11518293

Incident

Apr 4, 2023

Chevy Equinox turned off while in the turn lane. Car would not turn back on. No warning was shown prior to the incident but now there is a solid check engine light. upon googling it seems other chevy's have a fuel pump flow issue causing cars to stall and not turn on. chevy upon inquiring if our equinox has a recall they said no even though other 2021 equinox's have this issue. i believe this is a safety issue, if it is a fuel pump issue how do we know it can't cause the engines to catch fire from improper fueling. this needs to be looked into.

NHTSA ID

11506709

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

2021 Chevy equinox vacuum pump failed causing the breaking to become impossible to use while operating.

NHTSA ID

11495225

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

I reported earlier in regards to the turbo going out in cold weather. The turbo was fixed finally (happened before Thanksgiving) on 1/13/22 by the dealer. RMPs are running high (65 MPH - RMPs are 2300) and it isnt shifting properly. wont shift to the next gear.

NHTSA ID

11448277

Incident

Jan 13, 2022