CarModelProblems.com

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
780Complaints
3Recalls
30Crashes
3Fires
41Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (49.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Engine complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine385 · 49.4%No official action
Power Train139 · 17.8%No official action
Visibility/wiper69 · 8.8%Investigation closedEA19005 → recall 22V165000 · RQ18002
Electrical System68 · 8.7%RecalledRecall 16V502000
Fuel/propulsion System61 · 7.8%No official action
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)55 · 7.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE385 · 49.4%
POWER TRAIN139 · 17.8%
Unspecified / other57 · 7.3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)55 · 7.1%
AIR BAGS52 · 6.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL49 · 6.3%
STEERING43 · 5.5%

Percentages are the share of the 780 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 2016 · reported 07/05/2016

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 2014 · reported 07/23/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 10V623000 · 2010 · reported 12/15/2010

THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“STARTED ACCELERATING & WHEN I GOT TO 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER RAPIDLY & SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT ALONG WITH REDUCE ENGINE POWER CAME…”NHTSA complaint 10563249 — filed 02/06/2014 · ENGINE
“I CAME TO A STOP AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON. I PRESSED GAS TO GO AND…”NHTSA complaint 10562387 — filed 01/31/2014 · ENGINE
“I WAS STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT AT 8PM THE CAR SHOOK AS I STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN LOW…”NHTSA complaint 10561251 — filed 01/23/2014 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

362012521022014981012016113145201817669202058432022361420242182026

Frequently asked questions

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

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 385 of 780 NHTSA complaints (49.4%), followed by power train (139), visibility/wiper (69), electrical system (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have?

780 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 41 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V502000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.