2011 Chevrolet Equinox transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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 levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

  Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 18, 2023150,000 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop the following day, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11560643 · source
2. Filed Jul 9, 2023TNElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Just got a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox from a dealership that I trusted. Only had a few weeks and it just stalled on me while driving in traffic!!! 😱 Would not start back ! It was terrifying!!! Thank God it wasn’t rush hour! A nice man helped push it out of road into a parking lot! Now I find out there are safety issues and recalls that I was not aware of! Faulty oil piston rings caused it to jump time! They want over 7,000$ to fix but I do not have that kind of money!!!Its a…

   NHTSA complaint #11531156 · source
3. Filed Nov 1, 2022106,697 miILTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11491778 · source
4. Filed Oct 18, 2022MIEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 ⚙️ in Automatic/Manual…

   NHTSA complaint #11489694 · source
5. Filed Jun 4, 2022ALEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11467463 · source
6. Filed Apr 26, 2022PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11462349 · source
7. Filed Jul 21, 2021PAAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11425815 · source
8. Filed May 19, 2021FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11417771 · source
9. Filed May 6, 2021154,000 miNCEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11415392 · source
10. Filed Apr 26, 2021114,279 miNYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    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 2850.00 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

    NHTSA complaint #11413955 · source
11. Filed Apr 22, 2021148,000 miARElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11413348 · source
12. Filed Apr 14, 202170,000 miCACrashEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11408151 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology