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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 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #116

Jul 262019

Equinox 4-cyl

  • 94,745 miles

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

Last year our transfer case broke. Fortunately the failure was in a parking lot and we avoided a serious accident due to the complete freezing up of the front end. We simply started driving and there was a loud crack and then the steering froze. There was no accident, collision or any off road or on road experience that could have caused this. It was clearly a major part that should never fail this way. The mechanics had never seen before. Others since have suggested we file a complaint and seek compensation because of the nature of the failure. We have written GM and included photos. We attached the repair bills, which totaled $4,466.63, and are seeking full compensation.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #115

Feb 122020

Equinox

  • 1,233,240 miles
Burns oil excessively, 1 quart per 10 days. No leaks. Costly repairs, and maintenance

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #114

Mar 152020

Equinox

  • 138,900 miles
I was driving down the road an I stopped. Tried giving it gas an rpms just went up. I was able to get it in 1st gear an go about 20mph for about 2 miles an then lost all gears. It is at the shop now an I just got the diagnosis. Need a new transmission. I believe it is time for GM to take all of this seriously an fix the problem there are to many complaints for the same thing with nothing being done. I cant afford this an most people can't but yet we are forced to pay for it. After 100S of the same issue it cant be the operator error it has to be the manufacture its self

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #113

Mar 072020

Equinox

  • 79,000 miles

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

With no warning, the car just stopped. I had no reverse or forward. I was in motion on the highway and you could tell it was hesitating. Went a few more miles and thankfully made it to a parking lot. When my husband arrived, the car would just rev. We had to have it towed. The car has under 80,000 miles on it and the transmission goes" this is just ridiculous that Chevy is ripping people off with these cars! I have read soo many complaints with this happening to the 2011 Equinox and there is not something fishy or recalls on this? you pay alot of money for vehicles and this should not happen to a car that has been babied, taken care of! I would never buy another Chevy again!! when is this going to be recalled??????? after how many complaints and cars does it take to have the same problem??"

- Sellersville, PA, USA

problem #112

Feb 282020

Equinox

  • 80,000 miles
2 days ago (2/26/2020) noticed 2 "jumps" as reversing and again yesterday. This morning, barely was able to get car reversed out of driveway. It felt as if reverse gear was "slipping". after work, reverse gear totally useless, had to push car out of parking space at work and all forward gears were "slipping" and unable to accelerate vehicle. Towed car mechanic who said, "your transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced " and "these cars are known for transmission problems and catalytic converter problems". he says repair will be at least $2500 and maybe as high as $4,000.

- Port Allen, LA, USA

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problem #111

Feb 242020

Equinox

  • miles
Vehicle won't reverse, RPM surging during acceleration causing hard shifting/jerking or no shift at all. Googling the issues brought up many other 2011 Equinox's with same issues.

- Orion, MI, USA

problem #110

Oct 012019

Equinox

  • 86,870 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. When the contact attempted to accelerate the vehicle, it felt as if the vehicle were slipping. The contact parked and noticed transmission oil underneath the vehicle. The contact called a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a leak coming from the transfer case, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to manufacturer communication number: 10043933 (engine and engine cooling, power train). The approximate failure mileage was 86,870.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #109

Dec 072019

Equinox

  • 100,000 miles
Pulled onto a main highway, traveling at traffic speed when transmission failure left us in the middle of the road. Had to be pushed off the highway, and then towed to a garage, where told transmission failure is common with these cars. Repair cost of 4100$

- Ashton, WV, USA

problem #108

Nov 052019

Equinox

  • 52,354 miles
While accelerating on frwy ramp, sudden catastrophic transmission failure, I got to the shoulder, had the car towed to my regular repair garage, he had seen this before, a plate inside the transmission shatters with no warning, had car towed to transmission shop, they diagnosed the same thing, said they have repaired 4 to 5 every year and it's a flaw with these transmissions. They completely rebuilt the transmission and showed me the broken parts. Cost was $3400. Called the Chevy dealer for reimbursement and they deny any design or manufacturing defects and refused to do anything. I think you should investigate these transmissions for early failures due to a design or manufacturing defect and make Chevy extend the warranties on them. My car had only 52000 miles on it and should not have this failure. I was lucky to get to those shoulder safely. If I can provide any additional information, please contact me. Also, please inform me of your investigation.

- Greenfield, WI, USA

problem #107

Oct 012019

Equinox

  • miles
Fuel pump/ low fuel issues fuel pump failing, which in part leaks fuel into the engine. Running error codes. Low engine power light displayed on dash followed by reduce power. Dealership advises it's a 900 charge. Certain 2011 Equinox models fall under the product emission recall 43180 high pressure fuel recall. However I am being advised mine does not although issue appears to be consistent with recall at first glance.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #106

Sep 052019

Equinox

  • 109,000 miles

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

A high pitched whining sound was noted while shifting through 2nd gear. Noted the next day the same whining sound while shifting through 2nd gear also began while shifting from park into reverse neutral and drive. Noted on the 3rd day all of the above in addition to the vehicle slipping gears and while in drive began to read as if it were in neutral. Upon inspection by a local dealer it was determined that the transmission was no longer functional. D mileage for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox at that point was 109000 miles. It has since costed approximately $3000 to replace the transmission of which none was covered by any warranty either dealer or manufacturer.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #105

Mar 012018

Equinox 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. Also, while the vehicle was at a stop, it shut off without warning. In addition, at times, the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that her vehicle was burning excessive oil, which caused the engine to stall. The contact drove to ganley Chevrolet (13865 brookpark rd, brook park, oh 44142, 216-586-5804) where the contact was informed that due to the age of the vehicle, any repairs would be deemed pointless. The dealer did not assist. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The manufacturer offered the contact a voucher towards another vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #104

Sep 102019

Equinox

  • 44,350 miles
It only had 42000 miles on it and even before it sounded funny. We had it hooked to diagnostic and it said the intake and exhaust cam shaft actuator solenoids needed to be replaced or faulty. Google it online it comes up as a recall for my year of 2011 Chevy equinix. But when I told them at Chevy service center they were addiment that only certain vins and thats what they go by. But I told them how would you know which ones are affected if your not told by consumers. Online and on different sites come up that some have problems and have recalls. Well om informing them that theres an issue but since its not on their data base or my VIN they will not do anything. The car when driving shuts off sometimes. Or when I start it and begin to drive it shuts off.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #103

Jan 052016

Equinox

  • 56,747 miles
In Jan 5 2016 my 2011 Chevy Equinox mileage 56747 would just stall without warning and I had no control of steering. Driving on the hwy it just killed and started but didn't want to accelerate again then stalled again couldn't steer. Got it to ray Chevrolet it was my camshaft position actuator solenoid valve in Sept.2016 mileage 80584 I had it towed again and it was the camshaft position actuator solenoid valves and it burnt my electronic control unit aka computer which cost me $800. Skipping forward but not without problems there are many. Aug. 2019, I am having to change camshaft position actuator solenoid valves again do to stalling on the road while I'm driving not being able to steer for the third time. It's so dangerous to drive this car without warning it will kill on you for a number of reasons. Then I went change my oil like clock work and was told I have a valve cover gasket leak to go with the solenoid problem. It's so dangerous to drive due to the fact it will stall at anytime. In Aug. 2019 my pressure sensor for my right tire went out. Now I can't get it to reset and mechanic tried and said sensor needs to be changed really. I can't tell if I have a low tire it just shows blank line on all tires. Now my actuator bend door broke on defrost and it's hot in Louisiana. Almost impossible to get to. This car needs a recall really bad. There is never a time where the car just ran good with no trouble. Things that broke on this car are listed below. Air control iac value, actuator bend door, valve cover gasket, computer, pressure sensor, cv joints, intake & exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid <>three times

- Abbeville, LA, USA

problem #102

Mar 292019

Equinox

  • 90,000 miles
The transmission just went out driving down the road, could not move it, could have been very dangerous if on a busy highway. Driving at regular speed, just sounded like it shifted to park, no warning at all. Was forced to replace transmission at $5000.

- Scottsville, VA, USA

problem #101

Jun 032019

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption: Have had to completely refill 4qts of oil every 17-20 days, no oil stains in parking areas or oil burning smell when driving.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #100

May 132019

Equinox

  • 91,754 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While making a left turn, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal four times before the vehicle accelerated. In addition, when making a right turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate. However, when driving straight ahead, the vehicle accelerated normally. The contact coasted the vehicle into a parking lot and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally, but only when driven straight ahead. The vehicle was taken to conklin Chevrolet newton (located at 1500 SE 3rd St, newton, ks 67114, (316) 842-4137) and the failure was duplicated. The dealer ordered a solenoid pack and replaced the old one; however, the failure recurred. The dealer test drove the vehicle and it failed to accelerate even when driving straight ahead. The vehicle was later towed to conklin cars Buick GMC hutchinson (located at 1400 E 11th ave, hutchinson, ks 37501, (620) 708-4102) where it was diagnosed that the wave plate exploded and sent metal pieces inside the metal case, which damaged the transmission. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided case number: 9-5288717276. The approximate failure mileage was 91,754.

- Peabody, KS, USA

problem #99

Apr 032019

Equinox 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the transmission gears failed to remain engaged. The gear slipped while the vehicle was in drive. Consumer manage to park the vehicle in a shopping center parking lot and at that time would not engage in either reverse or drive settings. Car was towed to uebelhor and sons Chevrolet (972 wernsing rd, jasper, in 47546, (812) 482-2222) diagnosed and replaced the transmission assembly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Tell City, IN, USA

problem #98

Mar 202019

Equinox

  • 101,989 miles
My 2011 Chevy Equinox was not picking up speed, and would shut off when I stopped for more than 30 seconds. The engine also sounded very loud when in park. I had a diagnostic done at the dealership and it was determined that the timing chain needed to be replaced. My car had been in the shop two months prior for replacement of the camshaft position sensor. My car currently has 102,000 miles. The dealership said that metal shavings were also found in my oil. I tried driving my car after the diagnostic and the "reduced engine power" indicator came on, causing me to have to pull over on the highway and be towed. I contacted GM regarding a recall and was informed that the particular model of my vehicle was not included in the recall and since my warranty had expired there was nothing they could do. I have read reports of my 2011 Equinox owners who have had similar issues.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #97

Feb 252019

Equinox

  • miles
I am experiencing the same problems as the ones that are recalled for oil issues. However my VIN number wasn't listed. My PCV valve is stuck. Possible issue with inside the intake crank case and with that I don't want a blow out. Losing power and using a lot of oil. I have the 2011 Chevy Equinox lt purchased less than 2 years ago.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

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