2019 Chevrolet Equinox transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V668000Oct 29, 2020194,105 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

  Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 202689,000 miMEEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate before lurching forward. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving 60-70 MPH and decelerated to 10 MPH. The engine revved while stopped at a red light, and the RPM was at HIGH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11766711 · source
2. Filed Aug 17, 202681,000 miWATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated the failure reoccurred. The transmission failed to shift out of first gear, and the RPM was elevated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed…

   NHTSA complaint #11757448 · source
3. Filed May 9, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission system failed abruptly. I pulled away from a stoplight, had accelerated to 20-25 mph, and then the car came to a sudden stop, as if someone had put on an emergency brake. It continued to act as if the brake was on when I tried to go forward or reverse. I put it into neutral so that I could push it off the road. I realized it would drive slowly in neutral, so I drove it less than a mile back to my workplace. Regarding safety, I nearly got rear-ended when the…

   NHTSA complaint #11736777 · source
4. Filed Jul 31, 2025NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled, and the vehicle was nearly rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately made a turn into the nearby independent mechanic shop parking lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven by the independent mechanic. The mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11677464 · source
5. Filed Jul 5, 2025MITransmission & Drivetrain

   On Sunday, [XXX] (a very hot day in Michigan. My vehicle registered 100 degrees) I was driving on [XXX] about 70-73 mph when I got an alert that said (to the best of my recollection) TOO HOT - IDLE IMMEDIATELY! and there was a continuous high pitch beeping which I only heard after turning off the radio. I continued at highway speed for a good 2-3 miles to the next exit afraid at any minute my car would start smoking. I exited and had to stop at a red light before turning…

   NHTSA complaint #11671331 · source
6. Filed May 30, 2025TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   Symptoms were poor gas mileage, highly rough idle (especially in DRIVE, while at a stop), lag in acceleration as well as delayed response to gas pedal depression, struggled take off from an incline while utilizing AC on high output. Diagnosed by a code reader with confirmation by a trusted mechanic that the transmission is malfunctioning. Mechanic indicates the need to seek a shop specializing in transmissions because this entails disassembly of drain pan and plug to find…

   NHTSA complaint #11663850 · source
7. Filed Apr 24, 2025PAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   To Whom It May Concern, I'm writing to formally report a critical failure of the Auto Start-Stop system in my 2019 Chevy Equinox that occurred today, resulting in a hazardous situation during rush hour traffic. While stopped in the northbound left turn lane of Route 202 at the intersection with Baltimore Pike, the vehicle’s Auto Start-Stop feature engaged as expected. However, upon releasing the brake to proceed, the engine failed to restart, and the vehicle remained…

   NHTSA complaint #11656633 · source
8. Filed Apr 14, 2025108,533 miNCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Advanced Auto Parts where a diagnostic test was performed and DTC U0101 and P12A6 were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11654603 · source
9. Filed Feb 7, 2025NEEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle is leaking oil from in between the engine and transmission I am some bit mechanical and im sure its the rear Maine seal leaking yes the vehicle is available for inspection im taking it to H&H chevrolet [XXX] for a inspection I talked to Christian brothers repair and I told them what it was doing and they told me alot about my vehicles problem and gave me some Estimates and also said they have 2 in there shop right now needing the same repair...How was my safety…

   NHTSA complaint #11641412 · source
10. Filed Dec 13, 2024NCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle runs with reduced engine power. Was initially told the turbo needed cleaned, and it continued to happen. Then was told it needed to be replaced. The final result is that the tube that connects to the turbo keeps falling off. Being told there is no fix, and no recall, we just need to keep putting it back on when it pops off.

    NHTSA complaint #11630664 · source
11. Filed Jun 3, 2024INTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle is having "shift to park" issue. The vehicle is in park and will not turn off or start. This is a commonly known issue on other Chevy and GM vehicles, but GM has not acknowledged the problem or will not fix unless paid out of pocket.

    NHTSA complaint #11592172 · source
12. Filed Apr 18, 2024MDElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    UNKNOWN Shift to park after pulling to into parking spot and coming to complete stop. Car would not register it was in park on the dash or the gear shift and kept prompting to “Shift To Park”. Check engine light, TC system light, TC light, and park assist light all popped on at once. Car would not turn off. Car had no power going to transmission upon tow. Car would still not turn off after tow. While E-brake was on and waiting for tow, car kept idling and would make a…

    NHTSA complaint #11583944 · 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