VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has 134 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

134

Electrical System complaints

12%

Share of year

8

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have?

NHTSA has 134 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 16V502000.

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.