2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls and problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has 3 safety recalls and 783 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

783

Crashes / fires

30 / 3

Injuries / deaths

41 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

Recall 16V-502: Electrical System, Power Train

Reported Jul 5, 2016 · 8,367 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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."

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

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.

Recall 14V-447: Seats

Reported Jul 23, 2014 · 414,333 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

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.

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.

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.

Recall 10V-623: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 15, 2010 · 97,843 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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.

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

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.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	386
Power Train	145
Electrical System	74
Visibility/Wiper	70
Fuel/Propulsion System	61
Unknown or Other	57
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	55
Air Bags	52
Vehicle Speed Control	50
Steering	43
Engine and Engine Cooling	34
Service Brakes	24

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 10
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 6
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 3
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
Equipment › Electrical — 2
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 2
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 2
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 80,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Chevrolet Equinox complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Visibility/Wiper · at 200,000 miles · reported Nov 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the windshield wipers failed to function as intended. The contact stated that there was a sound coming from the windshield wiper motor; however, the wiper arms had seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while it was raining on a busy highway. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 117,000 miles · reported Aug 28, 2026

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 seized and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption over a 14-month period. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the…

Engine · at 168,000 miles · reported Aug 3, 2026

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 determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not yet contacted. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 168,000.

Electrical System · at 175,000 miles · reported Jun 23, 2026

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.

Structure · reported May 15, 2026

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 either.

Other Chevrolet Equinox years

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 201220112010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Compare all Chevrolet Equinox years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox: 16V-502 (electrical system, power train), 14V-447 (seats), 10V-623 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

Owners report engine problems most often (386 reports), followed by power train (145). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 80,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.