2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (238) · Power Train (114) · Visibility/Wiper (67)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Equinox model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
628 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly 2010-12-15 · campaign 10V623000 · 97,843 vehicles
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Service bulletins (1,766)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,766 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 117,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet equinox. the contact stated that while the mother was driving, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the vehicle was towed to the residence and was later diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who discovered metal shavings in the engine oil pan and informed the contact that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. t…”
2026-08-03 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 168,000 mi“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 lo…”
2026-06-23 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 175,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2011 chevrolet equinox. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of a carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.…”
2026-05-15 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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. …”
2026-02-23 · Engine“vehicle burns excessive oil. have to put in a quart weekly. check engine light comes on for camshaft sensor, they’ve already been replaced 3 times and the light won’t go off.…”
2026-01-29 · Visibility/Wiper“wipers have stopped working, have had it repaired twice and they keep quitting.…”
2026-01-20 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 165,000 mi“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 vehic…”
2026-01-09 · Visibility/Wiper · 125,000 mi“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.…”
2025-09-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving, the car wouldn't accelerate even though i was pressing the gas pedal to the floor. it made funny noises and was jerking. i was told not to drive because of the danger to my engine. the engine light did come on…”
2025-07-15 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 90,000 mi“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 engin…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.