2011 Chevrolet Equinox: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1133 complaints
1133
Total Complaints
80,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
52
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
44,350
25th Percentile
80,000
Median Mileage
112,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
385
Power Train
139
Visibility/Wiper
69
Electrical System
68
Fuel/Propulsion System
61
Unknown Or Other
56
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
55
Air Bags
51
Vehicle Speed Control
49
Steering
43
Severity Assessment
52
Crashes
5
Fires
63
Injuries
6
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO CONTROL FUNCTIONS WERE NOT ACCESSIBLE WHILE DRIVING OR BEING RESTRAINED BY THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO AGREED TO PROVIDE AN AFTERMARKET CONTROL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEE..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF WHILE A PILLOW WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF WHILE A PILLOW WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
385 complaints
25th: 59,300 mi
Median: 87,000 mi
75th: 114,872 mi
Power Train
139 complaints
25th: 44,350 mi
Median: 79,000 mi
75th: 101,989 mi
Visibility/Wiper
69 complaints
25th: 81,377 mi
Median: 112,000 mi
75th: 130,000 mi
Electrical System
68 complaints
25th: 16,000 mi
Median: 60,500 mi
75th: 106,500 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
61 complaints
25th: 46,675 mi
Median: 80,585 mi
75th: 112,139 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
PA: 80
MI: 79
OH: 77
IL: 76
CA: 73
TX: 60
FL: 60
NY: 52
IN: 40
GA: 39
Who Files Complaints?
1.2%
Original Owners
98.8%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Equinox — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (3)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Ignition
Campaign 16V502000 | 05/07/2016
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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
Power Adjust
Campaign 14V447000 | 23/07/2014
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.
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
Buckle Assembly
Campaign 10V623000 | 15/12/2010
THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
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 1-866-996-9
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Compare Chevrolet Equinox
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28