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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,577 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #136

Apr 012022

Equinox

  • 106,697 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled while attempting to cross a bridge. The contact called a friend who assisted with towing the vehicle to her residence. The contact then drove the vehicle to two independent mechanics who attempted to retrieve fault codes but were unable to. The mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The sparks plugs were replaced, and an oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,697.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #135

Feb 102022

Equinox

  • miles
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 -š™ï¸ 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!

- Fremont, MI, USA

problem #134

Apr 152018

Equinox

  • miles
This model with this VIN# was not listed for a recall, however, it burns oil excessively. The oil gets changed to only have to add oil numerous times before the next oil change. It is absolutely absurd that I have to purchase oil by the gallon. The second problem is the A/C. The check engine light comes on at times when the A/C is on, stays on for days or a week or so, go off, comes back on, and the cycle continues to repeat itself. The mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensors(upstream and down-stream) spark plugs, have all been replaced many times thinking the replacement parts were defected. It appears all of this has to do with a vehicle that was not well built. This car has had a lot of things to go wrong to include the transmission which was no good, and it does not appear that much else about the vehicle is good. It has taken a lot to keep this vehicle running! General Motors, please recall this vehicle? I do not have photos of the oil problem, because I am checking it approximately every two weeks, and more often if I must travel a long distance. I add oil as needed. The situation with the air resulted from getting the check engine light read at an auto parts store, and it is unnerving that it is always the same thing. I want to allow my grandson to take this car to college in August, but there is some uncertainty.

- Troy, AL, USA

problem #133

Jul 242020

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #132

Mar 142019

Equinox

  • miles
Damages to my engine were caused solely as a direct result of excessive oil consumption caused by defective piston rings used by GM during manufacturing that caused piston ring wear. The repairs that are needed are the direct result of excessive oil consumption caused by defective piston ring wear causing time chain to stretch and break. I took very good care of my car and had the oil changed every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. I had the oil consumption test done at Thomas Chevrolet in Media, PA which proved my car was burning excessive oil which was supposed to be covered under multiple recalls from GM - SB 13-06-01-003F. I was told there was nothing wrong with my car and after driving only 2,605 miles, my engine failed. The guide broke off and was sheared into fragments, chain was roaming free, chain cut into top of valve cover, cracked formed in top of valve cover, oil was leaking out of hole, motor shavings all inside motor from internal parts, grinding was due to lack of lubrication from oil being lost, causing knocking noises. Dealer recommended engine replacement at a cost of $7,800. Also SB-10090101-2280-1 also concerns the oil consumption problem and timing chain.

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

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problem #131

Jul 202021

Equinox

  • miles
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.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #130

May 192021

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Caryville, FL, USA

problem #129

Mar 152021

Equinox

  • 154,000 miles
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

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #128

Nov 162020

Equinox

  • 114,279 miles
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 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

- Bainbridge, NY, USA

problem #127

Apr 202020

Equinox

  • 148,000 miles
Car keeps dying while driving at low speeds, stop signs, stop lights ect. Idles very roughy, and is very loud. Check engine light is on.

- Tuckerman, AR, USA

problem #126

Apr 062021

Equinox

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #125

Dec 062020

Equinox

  • 120,000 miles
2.4 liter ecotech engine used in 2011 Chevy Equinox is in current recall by GM. GM is using VIN number to prevent recall repair to vehicle. Vehicle was purchased in 2018 during recall. Local dealer refused to repair with substantial cost up front. Dealer is aware of issue with vehicle from conversation with lead technician who had been instructed to deter any repair of this vehicle to up front costs only. VIN will not show recall due to General Motors cost of repair or replacement of engine.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #124

Feb 122018

Equinox

  • 84,000 miles
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

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #123

Nov 092020

Equinox

  • 180,000 miles
I've been having problems with my transmission since forever but now it's worse. This vehicle needs to have an open recall. It is not fair that we purchase these vehicles and have to put so much money into them because they come faulty. Anytime I hit my brakes with a heavy foot my car will stay stuck in first gear. I've been on the high way and in busy streets. I can't go faster then 10 mph. I stay stuck and have to leave the vehicle off for about 10 mins to get it to run again. It's constantly shuttering as well. This is ridiculous that everyone has the same complaints. Something has to be done.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #122

Sep 302020

Equinox

  • 56,000 miles
I was heading into work on a Wednesday. Exiting the highway there was a massive shutter in transmission as it downshifted on the exit ramp.turning on to a busy street, U.S.36, the vehicle began to shutter as it was shifting into the next gear. By that time I needed to slow down for a stop light. As I began to increase in speed the transmission shuttered violently. Then the tachometer was pegged and redlining and was not gaining speed. With a massive amount of traffic piling up on me and nowhere to go, I turned on the flashers. I began coasting because the transmission was not functional. Engine running fine with no acceleration.there I was dead in the roadway waiting to be rear ended..after the traffic eased up. I put the car in park and tried to drive again. The vehicle would only go about 10mph and then stop propelling me forward. Coasting to another stop. Putting into park again and then back into drive. Again only getting up to about 10mph before transmission would stop moving forward. I did this numerous times before I could find a safe location to pull into. This episode ended in a $3400 transmission repair. The master mechanic says he sees this so many times with vehicle. I find this to be unacceptable for an auto manufacture to produce such an inferior product that untimely puts the public safety in jeopardy.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #121

Oct 102020

Equinox

  • 120,000 miles
My ignition was getting jammed and stuck when turning the truck on. While driving I felt something losing power my gears felt really slow

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #120

Sep 042020

Equinox

  • 139,165 miles
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.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #119

Jul 202020

Equinox

  • 123,700 miles
I was driving on our cities bypass and all of a sudden my car began to jerk and not want to accelerate. After getting to a place that I could safely pull over, I placed the car in park and listened. The car seemed to be running fine. I thought may be it was bad gas but I was on a half tank and had been driving with the same gas for almost a week with no issues. I tried to drive home and when I put the car in drive and went to press the gas, nothing happened. The car would not move. I could hear acceleration, but the car did not budge. I put it in reverse and the same thing occurred. I am reading that transmission failure has been a problem with many 2011 Chevy Equinox owners. I have a little under 124,000 miles. Its too many people with this same issue for it not to be recalled by GM. This is not a inexpensive fix and is not fair to consumers.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #118

Jun 142020

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 0 miles
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 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.

- Glen Cove, NY, USA

problem #117

May 102020

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
Vehicle has about 109,000 miles and suddenly, the transmission went out while driving. I figured out that it was able to drive in reverse only, so I moved it to a safe location. I had to have it towed into the dealer (out of warranty) and it was determined that since it was a closed system that there were a few options. In the end, I went to replace with a new transmission and have the warranties...the cost was about $2000 for minimal warranties or over $5000 for full warranty. I felt that when I purchased this vehicle brand new with 5 miles on it that it would last longer than it did. I really have had no unhandled problems with the dealer or GM in general, but feel that to have no warning, lights, fluid concerns or anything occur to give me warning that this is hogwash...I have kept up my maintenance, oil and fluid per guidelines and as stated...do not feel that this should have occurred without any warning!

- Peoria, AZ, USA

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