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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 2
Average Mileage:
79,200 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 19)

problem #377

Apr 122023

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had just bought this car from a friend of mine and the first couple days it was fine then I was on the interstate and it started making this loud sound and stop going in the middle of the interstate and I was stuck on the interstate with my child and couldn-??t get the dam thing to go anywhere I called someone to come help me they looked at it and said it was the engine or the time and chain I-??m not really sure of what the problem is but it scared me so back I couldn-??t get over to the shoulder to save my life I was stuck

- Van Buren , AR, USA

problem #376

Jan 162024

Equinox

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle remained on the side of the roadway. Additionally, the contact observed condensation under the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear main seal and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #375

Jan 162024

Equinox

  • miles
The oil has had to be changed every month. The oil just disappears. I have to check and fill it weekly. I was told it a manufacturing problem. Now I-??m on the side of the road, I heard a loud bang and it started smoking and oil is all over the ground. I-??m waiting on roadside assistance.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #374

Aug 152023

Equinox

  • 185,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a business parking lot. The contact stated that he opened the hood and noticed the engine compartment had caught fire. Additionally, the contact stated that the battery was burned and was bubbly. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water bottles. A fire department report and a police report were not filed. The contact sustained a minor burn on the right hand and did not receive medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's parents. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- Choctaw, OK, USA

problem #373

Nov 292023

Equinox

  • miles
I purchased the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox 5 months ago from a dealership name The Automaxx group in Morrisville, PA. Two weeks after, the check engine light came on, I took it back to the dealership and it was in the shop for 3 days or more. I got it back and every week it was back in the shop for the last four months. I was very hesitant about driving it, but I need to get to my doctor appointments and then I park it. I had to constantly put oil in it and not knowing why or where the oil is going. It started smoking black thick smoke under the hood and cut off, then cut back on and I took it to the shop near my home, and let the mechanic diagnose the problem and he said the vehicle is not safe to drive at all, it's engine failure due to excessive oil consumption and that the vehicle could possibly catch on fire and that it's a defect with the engine from general Motors. I just would like to recoup the money back that I paid for the vehicle. I was totally unaware of the harm that I was in with this vehicle. I am not sure if the dealership was aware of the faulty engine or the dangerous vehicle that they sold, but thank God I wasn't hurt and that I don't have to inhale the smoke from that vehicle. The check engine light has been on for awhile and I was told that they weren't sure why it would not go off, that was a red flag for me. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance company.

- Hamilton , NJ, USA

problem #372

Nov 152020

Equinox

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil excessively fast. The contact stated several quarts of oil were kept in the vehicle to avoid the oil becoming extremely low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with excessive oil consumption and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #371

Nov 112023

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine locked up no oil, six months after oil change with low travel miles. Car sits most of the time. No warning indicators, service not due.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #370

May 052023

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive Oil Consumption.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #369

Aug 032023

Equinox

  • miles
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Findlay Chevrolet Chevy has thousands of complaints regarding the 2.4L oil consumption. Thousands! The engine has 97,500 and consumes 2qts in 1,000miles. I requesting that GM helps fix the issue. A normal engine does not even consume 1qt in 3000miles, let alone 2qts in 1,000. It does not leak. The only problem is a GM defect possibly with piston rings which is documented with similar years. On top of this. They had an airbag recall for similar models and years. This vehicle they say, does not have a VIN on the recall. Yet, my -??service airbag-?? error is on. It seems that GM does not care if someone has an airbag that may go off at 70mph. Not do they care about selling people engines that consume oil at a rate that will leave people stranded in the middle of nowhere. Or possibly starting on fire from getting too hot from not having oil in the engine. Thank you for your time INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #368

Jun 292023

Equinox

  • miles
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 death trap and shouldn-??t have been allowed to re sale!!!

- Shelbyville , TN, USA

problem #367

Jun 032023

Equinox

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle started rocking during regular errands but displayed no error codes. Turned it off and left for a few minutes, when returned it would not start just the engine spinning. Had it towed to a local mechanic chain where they said it was likely a major issue and that there was no compression. They wouldn't be able to fix it so towed it to a dealer. Once the dealer had a look they determined the piston ring was blown/etc and the Equinox would need a whole new engine to get working again. The dealer also stated there was little to no oil in the system, and no light or warning of any sign had alerted. The vehicle had under 3000mi since the last oil change and only 69000mi in total use. Apparently there is TSB/warranty and major known issue in regards to oil consumption but not that I was made aware of before looking into since this issue. I have also been told that there are no active recalls on my vehicle and the VIN says everything that needed to be addressed has been.

- Franklin, ME, USA

problem #366

Aug 222021

Equinox

  • miles
The vehicle-??s engine had been stalling shortly after ignition and when idling. I had it in a repair shop three separate times and was told that it was a problem with the solenoids. The first two times, they were cleaned. They were replaced on the third. I was also told that the vehicle was using an excessive amount of oil, and to bring it in every 3000 miles for an oil change. On the date of the incident, I was traveling home. I took exit 363 off of I-70 onto US-287. While traveling down the off-ramp, the engine stalled. I was unable to brake properly. By the time the vehicle came to a complete stop, I was the middle of a busy crossroads. This particular area sees a lot of traffic, especially semitrailer trucks. When I was next able to get it into be looked at, I chose a different shop because the first had clearly missed something. It was this shop that told me my engine was ruined because it had been being driven without oil, despite not being at the 3000 mile mark yet. The vehicle has not been driven since, as I have not had the $7000 it would cost to replace the engine. Please, if there is any advice or help you can give me, I-??d so appreciate words of wisdom. Thank you for your time.

- Lamar, CO, USA

problem #365

Nov 022022

Equinox

  • 143,822 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to provide notification whenever the oil level was low. The vehicle was hesitating and shuddering before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,822.

- Hastings, NE, USA

problem #364

Apr 012023

Equinox 4-cyl

  • miles
Stalling and stopping completely while coming to a stop. New muffler put in, still stalling! - I drive daily with my two children under five and the risk of my truck stopping completely while driving is my biggest safety concern for both my children and I!

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #363

Mar 072023

Equinox

  • miles
The key can be removed although drivetrain is not in Park" Also, a week ago while picking up my grandkids from school, my car would not start. It was parked. Everything was dead and the key could not be removed from the ignition which was quite odd even if it was a dead battery, the key should come out of the ignition? It was in Park. The key could be turned but not taken out of ignition"

- Fairfield , CA, USA

problem #362

Feb 132023

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive oil usage

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #361

Jan 032022

Equinox

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption

- Old Fort, TN, USA

problem #360

Dec 142022

Equinox

  • miles
After purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle starting malfunctioning. From going into 0rmp to shutting back on after turn the vehicle off. Upon utilizing cruis control the vehicle automatically speeds without pressing the set miles.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #359

Apr 012022

Equinox

  • 106,697 miles
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 attempted to retrieve fault codes but were unable to. The mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The sparks plugs were replaced, and an oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,697.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #358

Apr 222022

Equinox

  • miles
Good morning I bought a 2011 Chevy equinox it's still consuming lots of oil till finally the engine head gasket had to be repaired included are the, intake valves cylinder valves the rocket arms, head bolts, timing belt kit had to removed and repair the cylinder head. The mechanic shop is in McAllen Texas.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

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