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.
Hello, the vehicle is under 60,000 miles. I received a recall notice for the malfunction light. After diagnosis, it was reported the car burned oil and caused oil sludge. Many reports are needed to be replaced, including the pistons and rings. The cost of the job is between $4500 - 6000. GM will not repair the car under the bulletin, 15285C. Apparently, the car VIN is covered; however, GM will not repair because I can't proof changing oil every 5,000 miles. I do have service provider receipts dating back to 2012. I couldn't proof changing the oil myself. I have completed this tasks in addition to the service shop. GM reported the car to burn oil excessively at 2,000 miles. I wasn't aware of this until 2016, five years after time of purchase. I'm disappointed with GM not backing their product. The car has the following issues due to this recall. -lunges at idle -stops at idle -sounds like a ticking time bomb I have already invested $1200 in the engine fixing the timing chain and water pump. Attached is a conversation saved with GM support. Thanks, chad
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving with the air conditioning activated, fumes entered the vehicle. Additionally, there was an abnormal knocking noise present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the manifold was cracked. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not offer assistance. The failure mileage was 67,382.
This vehicle stalled in traffic. After 3 stalls the check engine light came on. The trouble was the timing chain after only 50K miles. Cost was $1680. I feel this was dangerous and I should not have been charged.
The timing chain on our Equinox broke and damaged the engine. GM says our VIN is not covered under the NHTSA reference #10053269 and tsb reference #sb-12313. Our shop said the damage is exactly what is covered under those documents, but no protection due to VIN outside of range. The vehicle started showing problems with the check engine light on and the stabilitrak system error. Parked the vehicle and turned it off. When tried to start again, the vehicle did nothing. Had towed to repair shop for damage assessment.
Was driving at 25mph when service stabile track light came on, within 5 seconds engine powering down light came on, couldn't restart vehicle, vehicle was towed to Chevy dealer where diagnosis of timing chain slipping or breaking was discovered. At first dealer wanted $8800 for engine, then $6700, then settled on $5400. Original engine had 92,000 miles when this occurred. Engine had regular oil changes from oil change shops. My concern is that if I was driving 60 mph or higher and engine completely shut down on a busy highway that fast wouldn't that potentially be a cause of a major multiple car collision with severe injuries or even fatalities" I think the dealership tried to help as much as they could but GM as a whole could have done better monetarily in helping me for a well documented problem. And as stated, shouldn't this be a recall"
- Lindenhurst, IL, USA
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Car shut off while driving, would not restart. Timing chain broke causing engine damage. Vehicle was at dealer in Nov and had timing chain checked. Dealer reported there to be no issues with timing chain.
It was 7 degrees outside. I drove home from work 20 miles. When I took my exit, the vehicle sounded like a diesel engine (and it's not a diesel). I managed to get home and the vehicle died in the driveway. Had it towed to the Chevrolet dealership. The PCV valve had become clogged and was holding condensation. The PCV valve then froze causing the rear engine seal to blow and most of my oil was blowing out down the interstate. No oil warning light came on. I had no idea there was a problem until I exited the highway and could hear how the engine was running. This was a "known problem" with GM, but not a recall. They even gave me a problem number for it. The vehicle was 5 1/2 years old with 92,000 miles. Since it was out of warranty because of age, GM would not cover the entire repair, but did pay 1/2 of it. But if this was a "known problem", then why wasn't it a recall. I can only get my portion of the repair cost back if this becomes a recall. If you check online, this has happened to many people. I believe this should be a recall item. Also, if I had been told by GM to get the PCV valve cleaned out, trust me I would have. If this is a known problem, why aren't we told to clean out the PCV valve. And, all of the maintenance for this vehicle was done at the Chevrolet dealership where we purchased the vehicle. I was lucky that the vehicle didn't die on the interstate and cause a crash, but it was a miracle that I got home with that vehicle. Also, if they aren't going to correct the issue, then this vehicle should only be sold in warm climates where the PCV valve can't freeze up.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate and the power reduce warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. It was diagnosed that both timing chains failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the batch of other vins being recalled. The failure mileage was approximately 102,500.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. After starting the vehicle, the ABS indicator illuminated. After shifting the vehicle into drive, the vehicle made a grinding sound. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and actuator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 64,400.
This morning (04/20/2017), while driving, the car stalled out every time I came to a complete stop at a traffic light, or when I slowed down to turn, the engine had a very rough feel with lots of vibration and then stalled.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred three years ago. The contact was able to restart the vehicle with no issues. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recently occurred again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body sensor needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 60,000.
After coming to a stop at a light, car completely died. Nothing would work. Had to be towed back to dealer. Was sent to a certified GM service center and the timing chain had broke and caused chaos in my engine. They replaced the chain as well as the head and other numerous parts. They also found that my manifold was cracked and had to be replaced. Out quite a bit of money. Now just a few months later, driving down the road and my engine is clicking and ticking and sounds like its going to fall out. I check the oil when I get stopped and my car has no oil in it. No warning lights had come on and my oil level monitoring system still said 38%. it had just reached 3000 miles since my last oil change. Not a happy customer. Tired of dropping money in this vehicle. Also now when I get in my air conditioner make a loud noise until I turn it off and back on.
Comments: I am a Chevy owner of a 2011 Equinox and not happy about having to pay for something that should be a recall. The timing chain is held on by a small bolt which came loose and belt broke and busted a head and all my rocker arms. This screw up my repair man said is because it was designed wrong and says once it is done there is no clue when it could happen again in the future. I have read about this happening to various drivers and they as well as me being told your VIN number is not in the recall. I want to know why it is not and what is going to be done about this. The repair bill is between $2500 and $3000 and I also read that it is usually out of warranty when it happens. I am so mad at GM at the moment and thinking about going with another company after I sell this one. [xxx] VIN #[xxx] 111,000 miles towing $200 labor and repair $3800 the timing chain guide bolt is so small I am surprised it lasted as long as it did. As much as I have read on recalls of this happening I would like to be reimbursed by GM I was driving to work and it died about two blocks from my job. I started it back up and started down the road and it would only let me go 45 mph and traction control icon came on and then where speed is it had a ! engine power is reduced. I limped into work and parked it going 20 mph. I do have pictures of the bolt and my dash. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Safety concerns galore with this model year, which is well documented on the internet. Oil consumption issue, transmission needed to be replaced and car stalling issuing since I have owned vehicle. Driving on highway and car completely lost power due to the oil consumption issue with entire family in car, very dangerous. New engine problem caused car to stall in road as well. There are systemic problems that GM doesn't want to acknowledge and it has been extremely frustrating to own vehicle. Someone is going to get seriously injured during this car. Called and shared safety concern with GM and dealership several times.
Exhaust manifold develops chronic crack possibly due to thermal stress gradient near a injection port. Another contributing factor the manifold cracking may be that the engine mount, according to the repair technicians, are prone to quick deterioration than what they consider normal. The engine flops around during torque reactions, putting stress on the connected exhaust system. Besides the cracked manifold, two engine mounts were found in poor condition. This crack does not produce a significant audible exhaust leak sound and therefore goes unnoticed. The exhaust manifold is also hidden from view. The crack is widest when cold, therefore letting the most toxic carbon monoxide concentration enter the vehicle, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning of the occupants. This is my wife's car. She had been experiencing severe headaches and had made a doctors appoint. I suspected that our wood stove or gas range may have been the culprit, and installed a co monitor in the kitchen. We figured it was either co poisoning or a terminal brain tumor. We identified the symptom but not the cause. We thank the NHTSA for their recall of the Equinox fuel pump. It was during this recall that the GM technician identified the cracked exhaust manifold. So the fuel pump recall essentially saved my wife from ongoing low level co poisoning. Regards. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I purchased this car in 2014 with approx. 80,000 miles on it but was told by the sales associate that this was a great car and a great deal. This car has been nothing but problems. The car has a ticking noise and sounds like a diesel but everytime I took it in to Chevy they told me this is the way Chevy cars sound and that nothing was wrong with it. Finally my engine light turns on and the car will no longer turn on so I have to get it towed and they tell me the intake cam actuator solenoids went out so they replaced it. Then I continue to hear the ticking noise and the car still runs rough and loud but again they tell me nothing is wrong with the car. Once again the engine light comes on and I have to get towed back into town over two hours away for them to tell me the tranmission needs to be replaced. I contacted GM and was told this is what happens when you buy a used car. How rude! now I am no longer under the extended warranty and my car is back at Chevy. They want me to pay for 4 hours of labor to take apart my engine so they can tell me what exactly is wrong with my car but did mention a problem with the timing chain. Are they crazy? these cars are a complete joke. I can not believe that GM would not recall these cars with the extensive issues that so many people are having with them. I mean seriously they should back up their products so people will continue to buy them. If you ask me im sure this car has a problem with the oil consumption which was why I heard the ticking noise and is why the car sounded so loud and heavy like a diesel. They not these cars have a major engine issue but do nothing about it. I still have several years left to pay off this car and am completely upside down. All I want is for GM to pay off this car so I can take my services elsewhere. Drove a Honda with over 200,000 miles before it gave me any type of problems. Very disappointed.
Returned to hubler Chevy for strange noise at a cold start. Rough idle. Already a bulletin for balancing chain. Balance chain replaced per extended warranty. Received a call that the timing chain needs replaced $198. Not on a bulletin. Also, now doing engine oil consumption test because oil was low as well as engine coolant was low. After doing research at home, thousands of 2.4L engines for Equinox are having to pay for bad timing chain when they have balancing chain replaced. Most of these complaints are coming at the 30,000 mile mark on the odometer. It seems to me that NHTSA should look into why the timing chain issue is not addressed when replacing the balancing chain? if the timing chain stretches or breaks it will blow up the engine (safety issue). My vehicle just turned 29,0000 miles. Numerous other complaints involve all the NHTSA bulletins and ultimately, these people are receiving new replacement engines. If this is the case why won't GM issue a recall and replace these engines with the new improved 2013-2014 2.4L engines. My time is valuable and each repair will cost me a days worth of pay. If these problems are now showing up. Let's end games and replace the engine now. This is very wide spread problem, GM needs to own it and replace the entire engine instead of all these band aid fixes.
In 15 degree weather car running rough, then without notice while driving 70 mph on highway car goes to 50% power and barely avoiding getting rear ended I was able to maneuver to side of highway where engine stalled out. Was able to start engine again but 50% power indication remained car had to be towed to dealer. Tech indicated the PCV had clogged causing rear seal to fail and then loss of oil caused timing chain to loosen and then engine failure. $2728.38 later for timing chain new seals and rod plus bolts. Special coverage exists for this exact failure but was told that my VIN does not match so bulletin no: 14882 does not apply currently. I do read others with same complaint.. car only has 67K and have had issues with sensors and already had timing chain replaced at 34K. So approx 30K more am I do for another major failure? not safe to drive when on highway and car stalls out without warning and really PCV valve issue causes seal to leak out oil when 90% oil life remaining... not safe and mine and others with excluded vins need to get covered and refunded in full for the failures related to these PCV valves and excessive engine oil consumption.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nottingham, MD, USA