VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,137 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Equinox year — the 2011 model ranks #1 of 22 Equinox years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 66 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 418 reports (37% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,137

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

55

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

66

Injuries

6

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Equinox years?

Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted1,137 complaints2005: 950 complaints2006: 950 complaints2007: 950 complaints2008: 535 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 1,118 complaints2011: 1,137 complaints2012: 943 complaints2013: 984 complaints2014: 696 complaints2015: 844 complaints2016: 487 complaints2017: 367 complaints2018: 570 complaints2019: 408 complaints2020: 463 complaints2021: 117 complaints2022: 210 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 111 complaints2025: 331 complaints2026: 92 complaints
Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Equinox years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine41837%
Transmission14513%
Electrical System13412%
Visibility & Wipers787%
Fuel System747%
Other595%
Airbags525%
Speed Control504%
Steering434%
Brakes272%
Body & Structure151%
Seat Belts131%
Tires & Wheels101%
Seats91%
Suspension61%
Lighting20%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequence

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 crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

10V623000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2010 · 97,843 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE OIL LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 15, 2017 · fire

“I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUE WITH MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, IDLE'S ROUGH, AND SOUNDS LIKE A ROUGH. MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 6, 2021 · crash

“ON OCTOBER 8,2014 [XXX] BEGAN TO DRIVE SUBJECT VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN SURGE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD VERY RAPIDLY. WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME SHE HAD TRAVELED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET AND CRASHED INTO THE SHELF, IT WAS PUSHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL DAMAGING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT ANY SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE WIPER LINKAGE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 15, 2016

“REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT GMC DEALERSHIP SHOWED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION 2015 UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUED. 2018 ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE IDLING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. DROVE ALMOST 400 MILES ON "NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 20, 2019 · crash

2011 Chevrolet Equinox — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,137 complaints put the 2011 model at #1 of 22 Equinox years. It is one of the Equinox years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Equinox problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (418 complaints), transmission (145 complaints), electrical system (134 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Equinox years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2013, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2012, 2015. The cleanest record among Equinox years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.