What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

Owners have filed 782 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (386 complaints), followed by power train (145).

How many 2011 Chevrolet Equinox complaints mention a crash or fire?

30 of 782 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 41 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls and problems

3 recalls and 782 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox.

recalls

782

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

Electrical system: ignition · Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · reported July 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC · 8,367 vehicles potentially affected

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

Seats: front assembly, power adjust

NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · reported July 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 414,333 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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 crash.
The fix: 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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 10V623000 · reported December 15, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 97,843 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: The safety belt system may not restrain the occupant(s) as designed and could increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine386
Power train145
Electrical system74
Visibility/wiper69
Fuel/propulsion system61
Unknown or other57
Electronic stability control (ESC)55
Air bags52
Vehicle speed control50
Steering43

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 28, 2026 · Engine and engine cooling · 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the mother was driving, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who discovered metal shavings in the engine oil pan and informed the contact that the engine had…

Aug 3, 2026 · Engine · 168,000 miles
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 was not yet…

Jun 23, 2026 · Electrical system · 175,000 miles
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.

May 15, 2026 · Structure · crash reported
I was in a rear end collision on May 14th 2026 the impact of the speed totaled my car in my airbags did not deploy and from my understanding where the sensors are on my vehicle they should have I ended up getting a concussion and soft tissue damage because my head hit the steering wheel my seat belt did not lock…

Feb 23, 2026 · Engine
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.

Equinox model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2008	0	370	9	1
2009	0	94	5	1
2010	3	784	15	9
2011	3	782	30	3
2012	3	685	16	6
2013	2	751	20	5
2014	1	549	23	4

Across all years, the 2010 Equinox has the most complaints (784). All Chevrolet Equinox years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent reported on July 5, 2016 (Electrical system: ignition, Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm)). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?: Owners have filed 782 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (386 complaints), followed by power train (145).
How many 2011 Chevrolet Equinox complaints mention a crash or fire?: 30 of 782 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 41 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 28, 2026.