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9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,410
Average Mileage:
109,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
  2. replace engine (1 reports)
  3. replace timing chain/cylinder head (1 reports)
  4. stabilitrak issue wiring problem solved (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments

problem #4

Aug 052016

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

One day my battery seemed to be dead. Turned the key and nothing. Changed the battery and nothing. Now I'm getting the following symptoms: 1. If I take off fast or hit a bump all the dashboard lights goes out then I get a service stabilitrak error message when the dash lights come back on. 2. Sometimes (alway at a bad time) I get in to start the car and absolute nothing. Turn the key and it seems like I'm trying to start a car with an empty battery. Everytime it doesn't start the key gets stuck in the ignition and I can't get it out. 3. I've learned that when the car doesn't start and the key is stuck, I rock the car back and forth (feeling like a fool all the time now because it works but I need to get it fixed plus my left leg is hurting because sometimes I have to rock it back and forth with a lot of effort. While rocking the car the dashboard lights come back on and it'll start up. The problem is getting worse because I had to rock it back and forth so much it seemed like I was going to break it out of park. 4. The weird thing about my Equinox is when the lights on the dashboard go out, my car runs exactly the same just with no inside lights. 5. I do believe I did make it worse by flooring the gas to get on the freeway a couple of weeks ago. Not because it was necessary to floor it, I just wanted to see what happened if I did floor it. 6. I did read about checking the oil level because that could be part of the issue. I do have a problem of not having enough oil in there a lot. It doesn't leak oil but the oil is getting used or burnt by something that's equivalent to about a quart a month. 7. I think the problem is a loose wire somewhere but am too scared to take it into a mechanic because I can't afford to pay the amount of money they charge with no guarantee that the issue will be fixed.

I will continue to rock my car until I hear of someone finding out what the heck is happening.

Update from Jan 31, 2019: Since I've read so many problems with this exact same issue I didn't think to check the post connection on the battery itself. Also, the way Chevy put all that stuff on top of the battery it was a hassle to take it off and simply look at. I seen a post and the guy I was watching said that he actually change the positive battery wire and it seemed to have worked. So I decided to go ahead and trace the positive wire down. I took off all the extra stuff off of the battery and to my surprise the battery cable was very loose. The bolt that you tighten up was very tight but the over all connection was loose. The connection that supposed to secure the cable onto the battery is a terrible fit. I can see a lot of people tightening it up and thinking it was good then putting all that stuff hiding the loose wire. If you don't wiggle the wire you will not know it's loose. After a little bending of the bracket and securing the connection I've not had any issues at all. All my problems went away. Even a jerking I had on the freeway a few time, the back lighting on the dash board going dim to bright, the not starting, all the radio setting and time on the dash would be messed up every time I got into the car, the taking off and everything shutting off problem, the check stabilitrak message has never came back. It's been a couple of weeks already and I'm confident that my problem is resolved. I actually thought about junking that car because it wasn't even worth selling with the problems I was having. Now I'm keeping it clean and proud of how the car looks and runs. Doesn't look like I'll be in the buying a car market for a few years now. Hopefully this helps someone or helps a lot of people. Thanks

- Sal G., Stockton, US

problem #3

Dec 272016

Equinox LS 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

My wife has a 2012 Chevy Equinox with approximately 127,000 miles on it. Out of no where the engine shut off and the car died in the middle of the road one night while she was driving back from work. No check engine light and no warning of the car over heating or running different. We got it towed to a local mechanic and he confirmed the engine was seized up and could not be cranked over. Metal throughout the engine. I know this was not right and I knew I probably had a fight on my hands with GM so the next day I got it towed to the Chevy dealer where the car has been serviced since 2013 so one of their technicians could confirm the diagnosis so we could properly document the complaint.

Long story short, I have been fighting with General Motors for weeks to see if they will help with some of the services. In my opinion a 2012 with 127,000 miles on the engine should not stop working. We have never missed a service request and routinely get oil changes to make sure the car is running properly. The other complaints I am ready about the Equinox's engine sounds like they have some deficiencies. To replace the motor with a GM motor would cost more then the car is worth.......and repairing or getting a used motor is risky because we don't know if there is any other damage, so I am having a hard time wrapping my head around scrapping a 2012 vehicle.

I am super disappointed in GM for not trying to remedy the problem, they were not even willing to help with a rental car. I am grateful this did not happen when my wife had our two young boys in the car going down the freeway because people could have been seriously hurt, since the car just stopped!! We have owned many other Chevy's but I seriously would think twice about purchasing another one, knowing how GM handles complaints. Over and over they told me, "sorry sir there is nothing we can do, it is out of warranty and the car was bought from hertz"

Well, my argument is, the day we started driving it, it has been serviced by a certified GM technician and hertz didn't make the car GM did, so stand behind your product. Right before the 100k warranty was about to run out the car was in the shop for close to 5 days for a bunch of electrical problems and just a few months ago we had to replace the water pump and now this.............car looks good on the inside and out but it obviously has its problems. I doubt GM would recall the motor because they would actually have to fix it and that would cost to much money. Don't buy it, worst car I have owned, and we lost out big time!!

- Adam M., Fresno, CA, US

problem #2

Jan 022017

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

December 23, 2016 my vehicle was stalling and the engine would shut off when I came to stops, the check engine light was on. The engine would not start so I had to have it towed to a Chevrolet dealership. I was informed by the dealership that my vehicle needed an Engine control module (ECM) and a camshaft position sensory (covered under warranty). I agreed to the service repair which cost me over $800 out of pocket costs.

My vehicle was returned to me on 12/26/16 and everything seemed fine. A week later on 1/2/17 my vehicle completely stopped while I was driving it and this time the check engine light did not illuminate. I had it towed back to the dealership and they informed me that the vehicle needed a timing chain and a cylinder head and that the repairs would cost $4800.

I immediately contacted Chevrolet customer service as I could not understand how in less than a week of having my vehicle at the dealership for repairs I was now being told it needed a timing chain and a cylinder or possibly having the engine replaced. Chevrolet customer service has made an agreement with the dealership that I would only pay $3300 for repairs; while this amount is lower than originally expected it is still unfortunate that I am being forced to pay for a new engine for a vehicle that's only 5 years old.

I am questioning if replacing the engine will resolve the problems that I have had with that vehicle. I will never buy another Equinox.

- caesar, Farmington Hills, MI, US

problem #1

May 142016

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

This Chevy just jumped time while driving on interstate, broke all the rocker arm on top of motor front side. installed new motor wont crank

- delana, Odessa, MO, US

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