repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
2011 Chevrolet EquinoxProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 783 owner complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-447 the manufacturer reports only 75% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has problems
783 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
386Engine7 crash/fire/injury
145Power train1 crash/fire/injury
74Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
70Visibility/wiper
61Fuel/propulsion system
55Electronic stability control (ESC)
52Air bags
50Vehicle speed control
43Steering
14618 other systems24 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 386 | 7 |
| Power train | 145 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 74 | 6 |
| Visibility/wiper | 70 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 61 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 55 | 3 |
| Air bags | 52 | 20 |
| Vehicle speed control | 50 | 2 |
| Steering | 43 | 3 |
| 18 other systems | 146 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Front assembly: power adjust
Risk. If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
no report yet
Front: buckle assembly
Risk. THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
88kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 308 engine complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
31under 30k miles190under 100k miles118100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
29 owners mentioned a cost$2,600median
Middle half: $1,375 – $4,500
Power train
9 owners mentioned a cost$3,800median
Middle half: $3,400 – $4,466
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Equinox year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Equinox median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Chevrolet Equinox safety ratings
2011 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, and the recalls they led to.
- Front Wiper Transmission InoperativeLed to recall 22V-165
- Momentary Increased Steering EffortNo recall
- Windshield Wiper Transmission FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Equinox owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the engine was rattling and vibrating abnormally. During the failure, there was no warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure…
Vehicle burns excessive oil. Have to put in a quart weekly. Check engine light comes on for camshaft sensor, they’ve already been replaced 3 times and the light won’t go off.
While driving, the car wouldn't accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal to the floor. It made funny noises and was jerking. I was told not to drive because of the danger to my engine. The engine light did come on
Own a 2011 Equinox?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.