What are the most common problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

NHTSA has 781 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, cited in 386 of 781 filed complaints (49%).

Problems › Chevrolet › 2011 Equinox

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Problems & Owner Complaints

781 NHTSA owner complaints

30 crash 3 fire 41 injury 2 death

Age-normalised, this year draws ~48.8 complaints per year on the road — ranking 2 of 14 Chevrolet Equinox years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, cited in 386 of 781 filed complaints (49%).

Power Train is next (145 complaints, 19%), followed by Electrical System (74), Visibility/Wiper (69), Fuel/Propulsion System (61).

Across all complaints, 30 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 41 report injuries, 2 report a death.

The most safety-critical cluster is Engine: 3 crash, 2 fire, 4 injury, 2 death report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 781.

Engine 386 3 crash 2 fire 4 injury 2 death

“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 complaint #11324351, 2020 · 2 death(s)

“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a business parking lot. The contact stated that he opened the hood and noticed the engine compartment had caught fire. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was burned and was bubbly. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water bottles. A fire department report and a police report were not filed. The contact sustained a minor burn on the right hand and did not receive medical…”
NHTSA complaint #11558777, 2023 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“THE HEADRESTS ON THIS CAR PUSH MY HEAD SO FAR FORWARD THAT I HAVE TERRIBLE PAIN WHILE DRIVING. I ALSO CANNOT SEE WHERE I AM GOING DUE TO THE EXTREME ANGLE OF MY HEAD JUTTING FORWARD. NOT TOO SAFE--ANY REASONABLE PERSON CAN FIGURE THIS OUT. IN ADDITION, THE CAR IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT BOGS. AGAIN, NOT VERY SAFE. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP--NEVER AGAIN WILL I GET A CHEVROLET. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!!”
NHTSA complaint #10859948, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

Power Train 145 1 crash

“I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUE WITH MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, IDLE'S ROUGH, AND SOUNDS LIKE A ROUGH. MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11408151, 2021 · crash

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11560643, 2023

“Just got a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox from a dealership that I trusted. Only had a few weeks and it just stalled on me while driving in traffic!!! Would not start back ! It was terrifying!!! Thank God it wasn’t rush hour! A nice man helped push it out of road into a parking lot! Now I find out there are safety issues and recalls that I was not aware of! Faulty oil piston rings caused it to jump time! They want over 7,000$ to fix but I do not have that kind of money!!!Its a death trap and shouldn’t have been allowed to re sale!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11531156, 2023

Electrical System 74 5 crash 2 fire 6 injury

“JUNE 9, 2017 AT 10:00 PM I HIT A DEER ON SOUTH DAKOTA HWY 11 IN LINCOLN COUNTY. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH AND I WAS GOING 68 MPH WHEN I HIT THE DEER HEAD ON. I DROVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES MY WIFE AND I SMELLED BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE WHOLE THING WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. IF WE WOULD HAVE WENT IN THE DITCH AND BEEN UNCONSCIOUS WE WOULD HAVE BURNT UP WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE STARTED…”
NHTSA complaint #11010876, 2017 · crash · fire · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS DOUBLE PARKED, WITH THE GEAR IN THE PARKING POSITION, TALKING TO MY COUSIN ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. WE TALKED FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. I WAS TRYING TO UNLOAD MY CAR TO TAKE SOME GROCERIES IN THE HOUSE. MY TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE (DRIVERS SIDE) TWICE BUT THE TRUNK STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THEN I WENT AROUND THE PASSENGERS SIDE WITH INTENTIONS ON TURNING THE CAR ON & TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THAT WAY, BUT AS SOON AS I OPENED THE DOOR, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS WITH MY 12 MONTH OLD SON IN IT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS (WHILE STILL ON…”
NHTSA complaint #10592277, 2014 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

Visibility/Wiper 69

“Wipers have stopped working, have had it repaired twice and they keep quitting.”
NHTSA complaint #11714145, 2026

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11709949, 2026

“Joint on the front windshield wiper assembly failed. Was driving in a 4 lane highway doing about 70 mph while it was raining. Windshield wipers stopped halfway through the movement they sat for a moment they moved to as far as they could go towards the driver side and that’s where they stayed. The driver side one was over the edge of the vehicle. I followed tail lights turning onto a side road, pulled over safely. Moved the wipers to a down position, there was no resistance. Checked the fuse and that was fine. Waited a bit for the rain to settle a bit and drove to a safer location. Once off th…”
NHTSA complaint #11586206, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 61 3 crash

“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.…”
NHTSA complaint #11245954, 2019 · crash

“DRIVING HOME I WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION IN WHICH A FEW CARS WERE BEGINNING TO MOVE AS I APPROACHED THE RED LIGHT. ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY, UPON SEEING THE SLOW START, I BEGAN BREAKING. UNFORTUNATELY I CONTINUALLY PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP AND RAN MY VEHICLE UNDER BACK END OF A FEDEX DELIVERY TRUCK. ONE HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED MY AIRBAG CANISTERS INITIATED BUT BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AFTER IMPACT I DID RECEIVE INDICATOR NOTIFICATION STATING AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED. PRIOR TO THE COLLISION O HAVE HAD TOTAL REBUILD OF MOTOR FROM BLOCK…”
NHTSA complaint #11192087, 2019 · crash

Unknown Or Other 57 1 crash 4 injury

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11738139, 2026 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TAKATA RECALL. MY 2011 EQUINOX WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF . I WENT TO GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR TOOK ITSELF OUT OF PARK. I WAS DRAGED BY THE DOOR AND RECEIVED MANY INJURIES. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY WHEN IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS WITH MY KIDS INSIDE.”
NHTSA complaint #11105092, 2018 · 1 injury(ies)

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Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 55 3 crash

“UPON DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK WITH MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING, THE DASHBOARD LIT UP "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AS WELL AS STABILITRAC AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO MORE THAN 20MPH AND THEN DIED ON ME. I CONTACTED GM, RECEIVED A CLAIM NUMBER AND THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK AS PROMISED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY IN FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. AS A RESULT OF THIS, I TOLD MY HUSBAND I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR AND WE WOULD TRADE CARS UNTIL THE PRO…”
NHTSA complaint #10825267, 2016 · crash

Air Bags 52 17 crash 1 fire 15 injury

“INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETED DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY WIFE. I ESTIMATE THE SPEED AT COLLISION TO BE AROUND 30MPH. I WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND AT ABOUT 630PM IN THE EVENING, ON A FOUR LANE CITY ROAD WITH A CENTER TURN LANE. I WAS IN MY LANE AND FAILED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY WIFE SPOKE WITH THE REPAIR SHOP CLERK WHO INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY EQUINOX'S UNDER TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10949808, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING THIS BEING WITH A MALFUNCTIONING TCMP I WAS COMING UP ON A LIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK BUT ACTUALLY LET ME MOVE RIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL THUS CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY STERNUM AND ALSO BREAKING 2 RIBS AND MY HEAD CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO OF COURSE DID NOT PAY ANYTHING NEAR WHAT I DID GO FIGURE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10639490, 2012 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 50 1 crash 3 injury 2 death

“WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED I HAD TO STOP DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES STARTED PULSING AND I HAD NO STOPPING ABILITIES UNTIL I HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. AGAIN THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED, I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE CAR INFRONT OF ME SLAMS THEIR BRAKES AND I FOLLOW MY APPLYING MY BRAKES. AGAIN THE BRAKES PULSED AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THE SECOND TIME I HAD MORE THAN TWO CAR SPACES BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER CAR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS FOR BOTH INCIDENTS WERE CLEAR AN…”
NHTSA complaint #10501892, 2011 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11662761, 2025

Steering 43 3 crash 1 injury

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11244239, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE STREET WITH TWO LANES GOING SOUTH WITH A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE AND TWO LANES GOING NORTH. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE GOING SOUTH TOWARDS 1-70 AND WAS GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CORNER TOWARDS THE LEFT AND TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY WHEEL AND MY WHEEL WAS STUCK TURNING LEFT. I TRIED AGAIN TO GET MY WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT, AND IT WAS STUCK. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND WENT OVER THE MEDIAN SEPARATING THE 4 WAY LANES. I HIT A LARGE STREET SIGNS AND MULTIPLE REFLECTORS ON THE MEDIAN. UPON IMPACT MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED AND WHEEL WAS FINALLY…”
NHTSA complaint #10426992, 2011 · crash

Engine And Engine Cooling 33

“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. While driving at various speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine while attempting to accelerate. The failure occurred while attempting to accelerate from a stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that a shaft inside the engine had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced with a rebuilt engine; however, the failure reoccurred approximately 4 months after the engin…”
NHTSA complaint #11712022, 2025

“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11519885, 2023

“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle had been diagnosed with excessive oil consumption by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning while depressing the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the failure was a known issue however, the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000”
NHTSA complaint #11419542, 2021

Service Brakes 27 8 crash 16 injury

“I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND AND THE STREET LIGHT TURNS YELLOW. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND ALL I HEARD WAS A CLICKING CLATTERING SOUND (CLICK, CLICK, CLICK) GO OFF. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE INTERSECTION, MY LIGHT TURNS RED AND I AM STILL PRESSING ON THE BRAKES FOR THE CAR TO STOP BUT IT DOESN'T, AGAIN ALL I HEAR IS A CLICKING SOUND. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN FOR THE OTHER CAR AND BECAUSE MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO IN ORDER TO "STOP" MY CAR, I ENDED UP HITTING THE OTHER CAR ON THE SIDE. MY CAR RECEIVED MOSTLY ALL OF THE IMPACT AND DAMA…”
NHTSA complaint #10456006, 2012 · crash · 8 injury(ies)

“WE WERE DRIVING OUR EQUINOX AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US ON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND THAT CAR HIT THE NEXT CAR. BOTH DRIVERS REPORTED INJURIES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO SLOW DOWN LET ALONE STOP. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND A BRAKE BOOSTER IS THE PROBABLE PROBLEM. BOTH OUR CAR SERVICE PROVIDER AND ON LINE BLOGS LIST THIS AS AN ISSUE. SOMETHING ABOUT THE VACUUM AND BRAKE FLUID CAUSING TOO MUCH PRESSURE SO THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS IN HIGH HEAT AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON A…”
NHTSA complaint #11141251, 2018 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

Structure 15 5 crash 9 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME WRAPPING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES PEELED OFF CREATING VERY SHARP EDGES. WHEN TOUCHING THE HANDLE, THE SHARP EDGES FROM THE CHROME WRAPPING CAUSED LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS OF THE PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10705263, 2014 · 2 injury(ies)

Fuel System 14

“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 complaint #11754526, 2026

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11673817, 2024

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11673471, 2024

Seat Belts 13 3 crash 3 injury

“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT OR ABOVE THE MFG. THRESHOLDS.WHICH CAUSED FOR NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND SIGNIFICANT FACIAL TRAUMA ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SEAT BELT PRETENSTIONERS ALSO DID PRETENSION CAUSING THE UPPER TORSO TO GO FORWARD AND CAUSE THE FACIAL TRAUMA ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10552442, 2013 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“LARGE PICKUP TRUCK WITH SNOW PLOW RAN STOP SIGN AT INTERSECTION, SNOW PLOW BLADE HIT LEFT SIDE/LEFT FRONT OF CAR, AT SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH. IMPACT FORCED CAR OFF THE ROAD, INTO A PILE OF FROZEN ICE AND SNOW. DAMAGE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS ALMOST SLICED OFF THE CAR WITH SERIOUS BODY DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT AND LEFT FRONT CORNER. ALL DOORS WERE JAMMED SHUT. NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER DID NOT TIGHTEN UP EITHER. DAMAGE ALSO TO SEAT FRAME AND DASHBOARD. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10690234, 2015 · crash

Seats 9 1 injury

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11478687, 2022

“VEHICLE IS ON STATIONARY STATE. (1) THE "REAR DOOR LIFT GATE WOULD DROP SLOWLY", BUT IT IS NOW BECOMING HARMFULLY WORSE AS BEING USED. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS ON THE LIFT ITSELF. THIS IS NOT COMMON TO HAPPEN IN OTHER AUTOS. REPAIR IS INEVITABLE. (2) THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS LOCKED UP. NO FORWARD OR BACKWARD MOVEMENT, ALTHOUGH IT IS RECLINING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF VEHICLE IS MOVING OR NOT.”
NHTSA complaint #10960099, 2017

Visibility 9

“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH during a rainstorm, the contact heard the driver's side windshield wiper making a snapping noise before with the windshield wiper ceased operation. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11462209, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST WAS INOPERABLE. GREY CHEVROLET (4949 SW HOVDE RD, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98367, (360) 329-2916) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11172100, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPER BLADE MOTOR AND LINKAGE BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM TAYLOR CHEVROLET (139 GRIMSHAW ST, RAYVILLE, LA 71269), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,012.”
NHTSA complaint #11097603, 2018

Suspension 6 2 injury 2 death

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11459055, 2022

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11407851, 2021

Wheels 6 1 crash 1 injury

“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 VE…”
NHTSA complaint #11406213, 2021

“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 complaint #11282536, 2019

Equipment 4 1 crash 1 injury

“IN SEPTEMBER 2011, SIX WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A HEAVY-DUTY PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS SO RATTLED BY THE COLLISION THAT I FORGOT THAT I HAD ONSTAR. THE OTHER DRIVER USED HIS CELL PHONE TO CALL THE POLICE. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES DURING THE ACCIDENT. A FEW DAYS LATER I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT ONSTAR DID NOT CONTACT ME RIGHT AFTER THE COLLISION. HE CALLED ONSTAR AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THE REAR SENSORS SHOULD HAVE SIGNALED A COLLISION, BUT, BECAUSE THE SENSORS DID NOT ACTIVATE, ONSTAR WOU…”
NHTSA complaint #10434389, 2011 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“FIRST TIME OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE END OF JUNE, 2014 BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE GPS WOULD NOT SAVE DESTINATIONS WHEN TRAVELING, WOULD HAVE TO REENTER ADDRESS ANYTIME THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, THE CLOCK STOPPED WORKING, WHEN THE TIME WAS CORRECTED, IF WOULD RESET AFTER IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON TO THE INCORRECT TIME. THE BLUETOOTH ALSO BEGAN RANDOMLY DISCONNECTING AND WOULD NOT CONNECT ANYMORE. SEPT. 24TH, THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. OWNER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED…”
NHTSA complaint #10644318, 2014

“2011 CHEVY EQUINOX NAVIGATION UNIT DEFAULTS TO WASHINGTON AND CLOCKS RESETS HOURS OFF REGULAR TIME EVERYTIME YOU TURN ON THE CAR. OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT SAME PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY DEALERS HAVE A NAV SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR A FEE. I BELIEVE CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T PAY FOR A FIX ON A WIDESPREAD DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. SAME PROBLEM REPORTED ON GMC TERRAIN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10486227, 2012

Tires 4

“Sidewall of tire blew while traveling at about 70 MPR on 4 month old tire. 225/65R17”
NHTSA complaint #11504680, 2023

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10898919, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DISPLAYED INCORRECT INFORMATION. THE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW, BUT THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS LOW. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10631483, 2014

Exterior Lighting 2

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11377798, 2018

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10730183, 2010

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1

“FIRST OFF, SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WHEN IN PARK ACTS LIKE IT MAY TURN OFF, BUT DOESN'T. CAN HEAR/FEEL THE VIBRATIONS LIKE ITS ABOUT TO. SECONDLY, THE MAIN REASON I'M ON THIS PAGE, THE A/C. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING OUT OF THE BLUE AND MAKING A NOISE. I TAKE IT IN AND TOLD THE CONDENSER HAS A LEAK AND NEEDS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CONDENSER WHICH IS MAKING THE NOISE. WOW, QUOTED FROM ONE PLACE $1,084 THE OTHER PLACE I ONLY GOT A QUOTE ON THE CONDENSER OF $424.. NO TELLING WHAT THE COMPRESSOR WILL BE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND SEEING SO MANY EQUINOX VEHICLES HAVING AC ISSUES I HOPED THERE WAS A RECALL…”
NHTSA complaint #10565020, 2014

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11661253, 2025

Traction Control System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE YEARS AGO. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECENTLY OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #10967264, 2017

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox draws about 48.8 complaints per year on the road, ranking 2 of 14 among the Chevrolet Equinox model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.