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.
When you are driving the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox ltz and the vehicle goes into "engine power is reduced" mode the vehicle comes to a complete stop within 10 feet. You are unable to turn the steering wheel or continue to move forward in any way with the phrase service stabilitrack appearing right after. You can be driving slowly at 20-25 miles per hour or faster at 35-40 miles per hour and this is able to happen at any moment. Total control of the vehicle is lost and the engine is unusable. Chevrolet informed us that this is caused by a bad sensor in the throttle body. The sensor is unable to be replaced without replacing the entire throttle body. The vehicle is unusable without replacing the throttle body and the throttle body is not covered after the emissions warranty of 24,000 miles. From years 2006-2009 the throttle body was covered under the powertrain warranty at 100,000 miles. After researching the internet and speaking with local mechanics, it has been noted that multiple Equinox drivers have had this issue and it always occurs between 50,000-60,000 miles. Frankly the vehicle is unsafe and Chevrolet does not care. Something should be done to either include this faulty part in a 100,000 mile power train warranty (as the engine will not operate without it) or a recall should be established. In the event that an Equinox is traveling at higher speeds (such as on a highway) the situation could potentially cause a fatal injury. Video of this occurring will be provided upon request.
While driving the 2011 Equinox will jerk or jump as if being hit from behind while attempting to accelerate between 2nd and 3rd gear. The check engine light will not turn off. The stability track light comes on and off periodically while in motion. When the car is being turned off it shakes as if the motor is going to fall out. I have to turn off the ac before turning the ignition switch to off position to decrease some of the shaking, yet it does not prevent it. Furthermore while driving at approx.. 30-35mphs, the car jumps to 5th gear without allowing to accelerate any faster in the mist of traffic.the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox shakes and makes a wining noise while idling. It does so to the point where the hood is shaking. The car only has 54000 miles on it. Also I have to constantly adjust the seatbelt while driving because it cuts into my neck which is very uncomfortable and a huge distraction. This car will now go forward in drive but it will not reverse.
While driving to work, I noticed that my service stabilitrak and ABS lights came on. During this time, my vehicle lost power and I began to hear a severe grinding noise in my left front wheel. After getting to work, the vehicle sat over night. When I started it in the morning, I noticed that the above mentioned lights had come back on and the grinding noise and loss of power had started again. Approximately a week earlier, I went in for an oil change and was told that there was no oil on the dipstick. This truck is only 3.5 yrs old and there is no sign of oil leaking or burning. There is absolutely no reason that this vehicle should be falling apart after 3.5 yrs. The ABS/traction control issue is a severe safety issue that could result in an accident.
Vehicle has had inordinate transmission noise since around 10K mileage. While vehicle was idling, went into incredibly rough idle, vehicle shaking with warning message about stabilitrack error and vehicle shut down. While this initially happened while idling, it also happened numerous times at speeds from 20-50 mph as reported by spouse. After multiple trips to the dealer for unacceptable engine noise, engine shutting off and cel illumination (separate issue that has also never been remedied), an issue with the timing chain and fuel pump was alluded to and that a "fix" for this would be available in late spring of 2013. Fuel pump and timing chain replaced at no charge that summer, but similar symptoms continued. Loud, rough idle, intermittent vehicle shutdowns. Eventually took to another dealer who stated it was a throttle body issue and that this somehow was not covered by powertrain warranty even though this "used" to be part of the transmission, it somehow no longer is on newer models. After a $500+ repair, issue hasn't recurred in last 3 months (so far), but cel still illuminates during wet conditions (which both dealers cannot seem to fix). I feel this vehicle has been a lemon since about 10K miles and continues to be so. We only own Chevy's but between this vehicle and our apparently dangerous '05 cobalt, we can no longer afford to put our trust in Chevy and will need to seek out other vehicle manufacturers. It is apparent Chevy only cares about the money we can funnel to them for buying american. That will stop with the next vehicle purchase this summer when we turn in the cobalt (for probably next to nothing due to its new safety reputation). I mention this info as we really want to put our faith, trust and money into an american car corportation like Chevy and have been overly patient with them. No longer...others need to know about these issues.
- Lockport, IL, USA
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Cruising along at 65 mph on highway when service stabilitrak light along with reduce engine power came up on the dash. I lost engine power and went from 65 mph to 15 mph. I was able to pull onto an exit ramp. I quickly pulled over & parked the car. Shut the car off & waited about 1 min & turned the car back on. The stabilitrak & the reduce engine power cleared off my dash but the check engine light stayed on. Then was able to merge back into traffic & pick up the 65 mph speed. I was worried that it would happen again when I had to cross oncoming traffic. When I got in my car later, the service engine light had even turned off, but on the way home it happened again. Took it to the shop and was told it was a throttle body/solenoid issue & that it needs replaced. They told me it isn't covered under the pt warranty. As others have also said, I'm seeing a number of people with this same issue & wondering why this isn't a recall? it's very unsafe especially cause you don't know when its going to happen. If your doing 65-70 mph on a highway & there are cars close to you & the vehicle decides to do this, you and your family are going to get killed.
I was driving on a residential street going 30 mph. All of a sudden there was a engine clunk ( 4 cyl) and then rapid deceleration with the engine running very rough. Of course the warning lights came on. The next day I drove to the dealership several miles away and was lucky to get there as the vehicle was running so badly. The dealership will make the throttle body repair, change some sensors and fool with the timing belt, but the bottom line is the safety issue. Reviewing the prior complaints, it was scary hearing about those having problems on the interstates. Yes, something needs to be done by General Motors. Recalled these vehicles for inspection. Someone is going to get killed. The lady at the dealership had the gaul to say, "didn't you have the throttle body cleaned when you got your oil changed".I said lady, I have no idea what a throttle body is and if it is so important, then the dealer should do it automatically. Good luck, it will cost me $400, they said today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Started accelerating & when I got to 55 mph the vehicle started losing power rapidly & service stabilitrak light along with reduce engine power came up on the dash. I went from 55 mph to 20 mph within seconds. I was able to pull onto the side of the road. I tried to merge back onto the highway but was unable to go faster then 16 mph. I quickly pulled back over & parked the car. Shut the car off & waited about 1 min & turned the car back on. The stabilitrak & the reduce engine power cleared off my dash but the check engine light stayed on. I then was able to merge back into traffic & pick up the 65 mph speed. I continued to work & had no other issues until I pulled into my work parking lot. That's when the stabilitrak & reduce engine power came back on & I lost power again. I parked the car & called the dealership. They told me to bring the vehicle in. It didn't duplicate the issue the whole way to dealership. The next day they called me to let me know they replaced a sensor & updated the computer with software. I drove the vehicle & it seemed fine. Week later had the same issue. Got about 5 mins into my trip & was on the interstate going 60 & all of a sudden the service stabilitrak & the reduce engine power light came back on & the vehicle dropped my speed of 60 to around 17 mph quickly. Thankful that no one was close behind me when this happened. I got off an exit & pulled into a parking lot. Called the dealership. This time they sent a flat bed out to get vehicle. They called & said it was a throttle body issue & that it needs replaced. They told me it isn't covered under the pt warranty. I'm seeing a number of people with this same issue & wondering why this isn't a recall? it's very unsafe especially cause you don't know when its going to happen. If your doing 65-70 mph on a highway & there are cars close to you & the vehicle decides to do this, you are in big trouble.
I came to a stop and car began to shake, reduced engine power and service stabilitrak light came on. I pressed gas to go and car would not go out of 1st gear, stayed at about 15 mph. Less than 1 mile from home so made it home and parked it. Started again the next day, no problems and drove most of the week with no issues. Same thing happened yesterday again and I pulled over 3 different times to restart to make it to my destination. Took car to dealership, they called today and said the throttle body needed to be replaced, it was not covered on power train and would be $500 to repair. From what I have gathered looking online, this appears to be a very common problem and sounds like a recall needs to be done. I am currently trying to get assistance to cover repair cost. This is a very dangerous situation as I was on the expressway when it happened once and it was terrifying to go from 60 to about 30 in 30 seconds when cars all around me are going 60 and 70 mph.
I was stopped at stoplight at 8pm the car shook as I started to turn left and the stability control light came on then low power engine light came on in my 2011 Equinox. The car powered down to 2 mph, it would not accelerate so I turned into a parking lot, shut the car off and turned it back on same thing happened again. I called onstar and had the car towed to phillips Chevrolet (great service) in frankfort, il. The service manager called and told me that the throttle body had to be replaced. I had the extended warranty so the cost was $100 to me, without the warranty it would have been $600 to fix. I asked if he has replaced many throttle bodies in this model car he said quite a few. The car was fixed. I emailed Chevrolet and asked how many throttle bodies have been replaced in all cars, they said no recalls on this car. I was unsatisfied with their answer, that was not my question. Chevrolet called me back and said that a person would call me about my concern. They called and told me the same story, no recalls and the dealer could have been lying to me, which made me upset. I asked to speak with a supervisor and he told there were no records kept of how many throttle bodies have been replaced, which I do not believe. He also told me about a fuel pump problem that Chevy would fix only if my car had a problem and a chain belt problem that could a cause serious problem to the engine if the car showed symptoms. I was not happy with that answer either. I will take my car in for a chain belt and fuel pump check now that I am aware of the potential problem. The supervisor told me that I would have to contact your Agency about my concern. I would like an answer to my original question, how many throttle bodies have been replaced in Chevrolet cars" why did this happen and will a recall be issued" thank you.
The stabilitrak and engine warning lights on our 2011 Equinox have come on unexpectedly multiple times. When this occurs the car vibrates and looses power. The first time this happened was on the freeway, creating a dangerous situation as I was suddenly unable to maintain speed. I brought the car to the dealer for repair at a cost of $200, however two weeks later the problem recurred, again while driving on the freeway. Once again I brought the car in for service. I also contacted GM. Both the GM representative and the Chevy dealer acknowledged that this problem has occurred many times and admitted that they have not yet determined a definitive cause or solution. And while GM covered $300 of the second repair, it still cost us $100. We are now out $300 in repairs so far for this defect with no guarantee that the problem is fixed. We no longer trust this car. This is a potentially dangerous defect that needs to be addressed.
As I was driving down the interstate, my vehicle took a hard sharp right while I was in the left lane. If a car had been beside me I would of crashed. I thought I had a flat tire so, I pulled over and checked the tires and all were fine. As I got back on the interstate my vehicle kept pulling right. When I stopped at a stop sign to make a left I could barely turn the steering wheel. I was able to make it home after much " man handling" with my 5 year old and 3 year old in the vehicle with me. My children were crying. I have previously read about this issue on the internet. I hope a recall will be issued soon and I don't understand why one has not been issued thus far. My husband and I bought the Equinox because we previously had a Camry that accelerated on me while my children were in the car. What has happened to car safety? I am beginning to not feel safe in any vehicle. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
So my traction control an ABS light goes off an I take it to the dealer to have it diagnosed, and it appears my left wheel sensor is faulty and can cause lock up in breaks and decreased power. Turns out to be a common problem on all Chevy Equinox models.there have been various complaints and nothing is being done about it as I see this as a major accident waiting to happen, please take this into consideration.
I purchased a new Chevy Equinox on May 13, 2011 from maritime motors in fairfield, ct it has been a nightmare from the beginning drivetrain/timing issues, bucking on acceleration and deceleration and pulsing at traffic lights and stop signs. The Equinox still occasionally clatters upon starting (after the recall was apparently fixed in summer 2011), and the vehicle also pulses at stop signs and traffic lights to the point it feels like it is going to stall and I have to remove my foot from the brake to stop the pulsing. I have had nothing from maritime motors (or General Motors) in terms of support on this issue. I do not feel safe in the vehicle - I have five witnesses/passengers who have experienced my concerns. In addition, I have two friends with the same make and model (purchased from maritime motors) and are experiencing identical issues. The state of Connecticut department of consumer protection has resolved four recent complaints with GM for the exact same issues.
I purchased a 2011 Equinox lt - Chevrolet -Dec 2010 - wanted a nice and safe car for the new year - I am a mother with small kids and wanted a smaller car than what I had, which was a Ford Windstar, I had for 13 yrs. I started to have problems with the Equinox in July, August and again now, with the stability tract service light going on and losing power and now this third time with no power to the tranny - I could not change gears, I would give it gas and it just wouldn't move - then the car power locks go crazy -lock and unlock and the transmission jerks. I do not feel safe in this car. I hope they fix this problem and figure out what is wrong before someone or myself are in an accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Philadelphia, PA, USA