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.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that her vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had taken the vehicle multiple times to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter had been replaced but the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the dealer who informed her that the failure was related to a defective timing chain. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and acknowledged the failure but stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
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 transmissions combination types! Plus having trouble with speed control revving up, going up and down hills as concerning with gas pedal sticking!
The motor is extremely bad for consuming oil. I replace oil every 2500 miles, and usually have to put 1-2 quarts in between changes. I replaced the motor about 5 months ago because the timing chain slapped a hole in the motor. I am currently experiencing the same issue now. The catalytic converter has also been replaced twice (900 each time) and is once again bad. This vehicle is a lemon and should not be sold.
I purchased a 2011 Chevy Equinox LT from a used car dealer in April 2022 with 153,000 miles on it. The second day I had it the brake caliper completely fell off of my front passenger tire causing my wheels to lock. Couple days later I noticed that after an extended time of driving anything more than 10-15 minutes it. The RPMs would fluctuate sometimes dropping down to zero and the vehicle stalls. The excessive amount of oil used in this vehicle is ridiculous I literally got an oil change and a week later it said I was low but my oil notification on my Dash messages said oil life remaining 95% check engine light comes on and it's the p0042 for catalyst system not at threshold. This literally should be a class action lawsuit because this is ridiculous
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 sensors(upstream and down-stream) spark plugs, have all been replaced many times thinking the replacement parts were defected. It appears all of this has to do with a vehicle that was not well built. This car has had a lot of things to go wrong to include the transmission which was no good, and it does not appear that much else about the vehicle is good. It has taken a lot to keep this vehicle running! General Motors, please recall this vehicle? I do not have photos of the oil problem, because I am checking it approximately every two weeks, and more often if I must travel a long distance. I add oil as needed. The situation with the air resulted from getting the check engine light read at an auto parts store, and it is unnerving that it is always the same thing. I want to allow my grandson to take this car to college in August, but there is some uncertainty.
- Troy, AL, USA
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Was never informed of oil consumption issue. Consistently getting worse. Uses 1 quart every 1000 miles or less. No smoke, no leaking. No oil warning lights. No Check engine light. Was told by the dealer the recall has expired. Chevy said was due to oil consumption.
While driving the vehicle, it stalled and the engine shut off in the middle of the road. After taking it into the respective vehicle's dealership, they came to find that the timing chain in the engine broke and the engine was no longer in running condition. I have two children under the age of 7 that were in the car that stalled in the middle of a busy road. I was able to make it into a median but if that had not been available we would have been left in a very dangerous situation. After looking into the issue, it is a known problem that the specific make and model of car has been experiencing, which the manufacturer GM had put an extended warranty on. The warranty is expired though and they are no longer willing to cover repair costs, even though it is a known problem that is ongoing. The check engine light was on for two weeks or so, but with this car, it usually would turn on when I needed to get the oil changed and would shut off after the change was made. That was my assumption was that the issue was this time as I would have no other reason to believe it wasn't the issue
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 in Media, PA which proved my car was burning excessive oil which was supposed to be covered under multiple recalls from GM - SB 13-06-01-003F. I was told there was nothing wrong with my car and after driving only 2,605 miles, my engine failed. The guide broke off and was sheared into fragments, chain was roaming free, chain cut into top of valve cover, cracked formed in top of valve cover, oil was leaking out of hole, motor shavings all inside motor from internal parts, grinding was due to lack of lubrication from oil being lost, causing knocking noises. Dealer recommended engine replacement at a cost of $7,800. Also SB-10090101-2280-1 also concerns the oil consumption problem and timing chain.
Excessive oil usage resulting in the need for a new engine. Car gave no warnings.. no engine light, no oil light, no issues previously starting up. Been looked at by the dealership and quoted $10k for a new engine. With only 150,000 miles, a 2 year old battery, a new water pump and alternator, and full synthetic regular oil changes; I do not believe there should be this significant engine damage to result in an engine replacement. I'm mostly upset that the car ran fine and then suddenly stopped with no warning and now there are such costly consequences that could not have been prevented if there are no signs of issues until it is at a point of no return. There is no oil leakage or any other fluid nor did the engine blow, smoke, or show any signs of failure.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH, the -??Low Oil Pressure - Stop Engine-?? warning was displayed as the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that her daughter stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator was depressed. The driver pulled over, turned off the vehicle and waited for a few minutes before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the failure cause was diagnosed as excessive oil consumption. Additionally, the timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact stated that other engine parts also needed to be replaced. The unknown parts were replaced however, the failure continued. The vehicle was still at the independent mechanic waiting to be repaired. The contact stated that the failure first started three years ago. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as engine sludge and that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was not replaced due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was opened. The contact stated that the case was denied. The approximate failure was 115,000
Was never informed of oil consumption issue. Consistently getting worse. Uses 1 quart every 1000 miles. No smoke, no leaking. No oil warning lights. Check engine light. Catalytic converter codes. Replaced under warranty. Chevy said was due to oil consumption.
Broke down on highway and had to coast off of highway causing a potential accident. Vehicle was purchased off private party. The vehicle shows no open recalls. According to GM service bulletin 15285D dated April 2017 GM acknowledges the issue with this engine. However, as the vehicle ages the problem only gets worse. After doing research, these defects are in many 2.4L ecotec engines, not just 2011 models. These defects will cause injury or death do to the sudden engine failure. In this case, oil got low and timing chain failed causing piston to brake cylinder head valves.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the instrument panel light, exterior headlights, and rear taillights were inoperable. The contact's cousin, an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 273,000.
Has 103,000 miles and is using a lot of oil. Will stop running in the middle of traffic. Must turn off engine and restart. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. When restarted it will only run approximately 45 mph. Just purchased car one year ago.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while checking the oil in the vehicle, he noticed that there was little to no oil on the dipstick. The contact stated that he changed the oil and that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Trevor, WI, USA