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

The engine group has the most complaints at 419. Power train comes next with 145, then electrical with 74.

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes. The pack lists 3 recalls for this year. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox get?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

How many owner complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have?

NHTSA has 782 complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

Which year of the Chevrolet Equinox is best?

See the by-year comparison on this page. Complaint counts there are best compared across years of the same model.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 782 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox^[1]. The engine group is the largest, with 419 complaints^[2].

782owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

19–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several parts of the car, and here are the groups we looked at.

Engine. 419 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a check engine light that comes on, a sudden loss of power, and the engine shutting off while driving or backing up. Some say the dealer could not find a cause.
Power Train. 145 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe gear changes that feel rough or clunky, hesitation when they press the gas, and dealers saying the behavior is normal.
Electrical System. 74 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a battery that goes flat while the car sits in the garage. Others describe the car stalling soon after it starts.
Visibility/Wiper. 69 complaints^[8]. Owners describe wipers that quit in heavy rain and a defroster that will not clear a fogged windshield.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 61 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 57 complaints^[10].
Electronic Stability Control. 55 complaints^[11].
Air Bags. 52 complaints^[12]. 17 of them mention a crash^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Equinox is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly (10V623), December 2010. About 97,843 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[16]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	4	4	5	4	17.4%
SUV FWD^[21]	4	4	5	4	19.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Chevrolet Equinox with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[22]	182 hp
2011 Chevrolet Equinox with 3.0L 6-cylinder^[23]	264 hp

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Equinox model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2005	638	1
2006	695	0
2007	685	4
2008	370	0
2009	94	0
2010	784	3
2011	782	3
2012	685	3
2013	751	2
2014	548	1
2015	680	2
2016	399	1
2017	276	0
2018	410	5
2019	306	4
2020	318	4
2021	100	4
2022	185	6
2023	99	3
2024	190	2
2025	400	6
2026	85	3
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the Equinox show 782 complaints and 3 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (784)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Equinox?

The 2011 Equinox has a large complaint record, with 782 reports on file^[1]. Engine reports make up the biggest share^[2]. The stories we read often involve power loss or stalling, which owners say left them worried about safety. Air bags have a smaller group, but 17 of those complaints mention a crash^[12]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so check that every recall was done before you buy^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?: The engine group has the most complaints at 419^[2]. Power train comes next with 145^[6], then electrical with 74^[7].
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?: Yes. The pack lists 3 recalls for this year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox get?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
How many owner complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have?: NHTSA has 782 complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
Which year of the Chevrolet Equinox is best?: See the by-year comparison on this page. Complaint counts there are best compared across years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox

2010 784 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 this page
2012 685 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 751 complaints, 2 recalls
2014 548 complaints, 1 recall
2015 680 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 399 complaints, 1 recall
2017 276 complaints, 0 recalls
2018 410 complaints, 5 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Equinox

Other Chevrolet models from 2011

2011 Chevrolet Camaro 194 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Cruze 732 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Chevrolet HHR 203 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Traverse 608 complaints, 5 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2011: suvs

2011 Lincoln MKX 149 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class 113 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Nissan Murano 148 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 Toyota 4Runner 163 complaints, 10 recalls
2011 Toyota Land Cruiser 4 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 Acura MDX 70 complaints, 0 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 782 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox (30 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 41 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
419 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Equinox model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
145 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,500). NHTSA vehicle records
69 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 112,000). NHTSA vehicle records
61 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,585). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
52 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V623, filed December 15, 2010: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 182 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 264 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox: problems, recalls and fuel economy