The Chevrolet Equinox debuted in 2005. Since then, there have been many models of the Equinox, with several models in the line-up having issues. The Chevrolet Equinox is Chevrolet’s mid-sized crossover SUV the company introduced in 2005. Following Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous models, the car is the company’s third unibody crossover SUV that replaces the S10 Blazer and Tracker vehicle models. The car was designed to be a family vehicle. We’ve provided a list of some Chevy Equinox’s problems.
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2005 Chevrolet Equinox
There are several Chevy Equinox problems with the 2005 model. Some reported issues are a blown head gasket, failing air conditioning compressor problems and worn or loose gas caps. The blown head gaskets on the 2005 engines are known to fail without overheating. The car can reach a stage of overheating and blow gaskets causing loss of coolant. With the failing air conditioning compressor, the air conditioning system may not blow cold at times. A worn or loose gas cap may cause the check engine light to come on. The issue can also make it difficult to fill the gas tank.
Recalls of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2005 model was recalled by the NHTSA for failure to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle standard No. 114 for theft protection. Ignition key park cables were not fully seated on automatic transmission shifter nail heads during installation. These problems can prevent cable autosetting from correctly adjusting the cable. An incorrectly adjusted cable prevents the car from going into park mode, leading to vehicle rollaways.
2006 Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox 2006 has similar Chevy Equinox problems as the 2005 model. Some reported issues are a blown head gasket, air conditioning blend door, gas cap, and key not turning. The head gasket problems on the 2006 engines are the same Chevy Equinox problems found with the 2005 model. The gasket fails without overheating and results in loss of coolant.
The air conditioning blend door is a problem for the 2006 Equinox because of the air conditioning blend door actuator motor powering the air conditioner. The failure of this motor makes it difficult to adjust the heat and cold in the car. Air conditioners will stay the temperatures when actuators failed.
Other problems with the 2006 Equinox are the gas cap and the ignition. The gas cap on the 2006 Equinox can fail. Like the 2005 model, the service engine light will illuminate. Drivers have reported it can become difficult to fill the gas tank. In the 2006 model, the key does not turn in the ignition after approximately 63,500 miles, leading to a car that will not start.
2006 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
No recalls are noted for this model.
2007 Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox 2007 had several similar problems to the previous models, but issues of its own. Some issues for the 2007 model are the key being stuck in the ignition, a gap cap failure where, similar to the 2005 and 2006 models, the gas cap was worn or broken. The broken caps would cause the service engine light to come on. Filling the gas tank is also a problem. An additional problem was the torque converter stopping to lock.
2007 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
There were four recalls for the 2007 model. The recalls were for airbags that have a defective sensor that does not detect whether a passenger is in the seat, a child or an adult. Airbag issues can lead to the airbag deploying on a small child in a passenger seat causing injury or failing to deploy for an adult. Another airbag issue is Equinox roof rail airbags and/or models equipped with a sunroof that do not meet federal impact standards. In addition to the airbags problems, the 2007 model have, in some models, cracking fuel pump modules, causing fuel to leak at the source of fuel ignition and cause a fire. The affected vehicles were sold or are registered in Arkansas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. Improperly mounted glass was another recall issue with nearly 6000 vehicles having incorrect “windshield mounting.” Incorrect primer was used during installing the windshield and the side glass.
2008 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2008 model has many of the previous model Chevy Equinox problems such as the key being stuck in the ignition, the torque converter locking and airbag issues where the airbag sensor did not work and did not deploy correctly. The Chevrolet Equinox model has the additional following issues of hesitation where the vehicle has issues with the ability to accelerate, especially going uphill. The vehicles are known to sputter and misfire while running. Power door locks were another issue with power door locks not always working. The problems are often malfunctioning actuators. Reported problems are the driver’s side window being inoperable and the vehicle doors’ locks being inoperable. Other problems are doors not locking when the car is in drive gear, remote not locking and unlocking the vehicles, and doors not locking when the vehicles are in park gear.
2008 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
No recalls are noted for this model.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2009 Equinox has similar issues as previous models. This model has ignition issues causing it to sputter and misfire, as well as having acceleration issues. The vehicle has airbag issues where airbag sensors do not properly register and can cause injuries with improper deployment. The torque converter stops locking, a weakness in the transmission. Power door locks work intermittently due to faulty actuators.
2009 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
No recalls are noted for this model.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinoxes 2010 had numerous Chevy Equinox problems. Some issues for this model are piston rings in the engine that would not seal against the cylinder walls, leading to massive engine oil loss burning in the combustion chamber and blowing out the tailpipe. This required either a new engine or an engine rebuild. Timing chains are issues with timing chains showing signs of early wear and stretching. This caused clacking and engine knocking noises. Sometimes timing chains broke.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
The vehicle had three recalls. The first recall was for the electrical system where the key being removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle tended to roll away as occupants exited the vehicle. Seats were also a problem with this vehicle model, specifically with the front assembly power adjust. The driver seat would unexpectedly drop causing the risk of a crash with altered seat position. The last known recall issue was with visibility and the defroster/defogger system. Software in the center instrument panel causes heating, air conditioning, defrost, radio controls and panel illumination to stop working.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox
Reports of excessive oil consumption in the 2011 model were similar to the 2010 model including the clattering noises when starting the car. The 2011 model had failed timing chains and a weak variable valve timing system that would cause the vehicle to shut off while driving.
New issues with the 2011 model were solenoid failures. Solenoids are cylindrical wire coils that act as magnets when carrying electric current. The transmission is controlled by the engine’s computer using solenoids. Some noted solenoid problems with the 2011 model are failure to downshift with the transmission stuck doing what it had been doing when the solenoid failed. For example, if you are in drive, it will stay in drive. Delays in going in gear and staying between gears have been an issue with a long shift between gear selection and engaging the gear. A lag between when the transmission exits one gear and enters another has been an indication. Erratic shift behavior where the transmission will skip gears is a sign of a bad solenoid. The last indication is being stuck in neutral as a sign of a failed solenoid. The transmission may not work entirely.
In addition to the solenoid issue, the air conditioning compressor on the 2011 Chevy Equinox has a high failure rate. This makes the air conditioning fail.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
The 2011 has many issues for recalls. Recall issues for the 2011 model are the ignition key should only be removable while in park, but the key in the 2011 model can be removed while the vehicle is moving. Rollaways are possible with this key and gear problem. The seats in the 2011 model for power height adjustment models have a bolt that may out of its place. Consequently, driver height in relation to the wheel may suddenly lower and lead to crashing. The defrost system fails with software failure preventing defrosting, causing failure of the instrument panel, radio controls and panel illumination. Finally, the driver and/or the front passenger safety belt buckle anchor may fracture and separate near the seat attachment during a vehicle crash causing injuries.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox
The most common problems with the 2012 Chevy Equinox are carryovers from the 2011 model. The 2012 model has solenoid problems leading to failure with gears. A new gear problem is hunting for gears due to a bad transmission control module. Excessive oil consumption is similar to the 2011 model and chattering on start. Air conditioning problems with a failed compressor are a problem. Defrost system failures are the same as the last model.
2012 Chevy Equinox Recalls
Recalls on the 2012 Chevy Equinox are the same as the previous model with key removing in gear, and the seat height adjuster bolt falling out. The 2021 model adds failure of the tire pressure system where the tire pressure monitor system can fail leading to under-inflated tires and blowouts.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox
The most common problems with the 2013 Chevy Equinox are carryovers from the 2012 model. The 2013 model has the same solenoid problems with gears. Hunting for gears, excessive oil consumption, chattering on start, air conditioning problems with a failed compressor are known problems. Defrost system failure from a software issue is the same as the last model.
2013 Chevy Equinox Recalls
Recalls on the 2013 Chevy Equinox are the same as the previous model with key removing in gear. An added problem is windshield wipers may become inoperative from a faulty ball joint, causing the wipers to fail at any time.
2014 Chevrolet Equinox
The most common problems with the 2014 Chevy Equinox are carryovers from the 2013 model. The 2014 model has the same solenoid problems with gears along with hunting for gears.
2014 Chevy Equinox Recalls
According to the NHTSA, there were no recalls on the 2014 Equinox.
2015 Chevrolet Equinox
The most common problems with the 2015 Chevy Equinox are carryovers from the 2014 model. The 2015 model has the same solenoid problems with gears along with hunting for gears.
2015 Chevy Equinox Recalls
The problem with the 2015 Equinox that required a recall was side-impact airbag modules may rupture, causing shrapnel to strike occupants.
2016 Chevrolet Equinox
The most common problems with the 2016 Chevy Equinox are carryovers from the 2015 model. The 2016 model has the same solenoid problems with gears along with hunting for gears.
2016 Chevy Equinox Recalls
The tire size and pressure is incorrect on some 2016 Chevrolet Equinoxes, causing the improper tire inflation or the wrong sized tire to be used.
2017 Chevrolet Equinox
There were no known recalls for the 2017 model.
2018 – 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinoxes in the years from 2018 to 2020 have many Chevy Equinox problems that have required recalls.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
The driver and front passenger door window glass are not properly tempered, failing to follow the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard glazing standards. Right front intermediate drive shafts in this model can fracture and separate during driving. Visibility is an issue with driver and front passenger door window glass may not be properly tempered, hindering visibility. The fuel pump has issues where high-pressure fuel pumps may detach from mounting flanges resulting in pumps damaging high-pressure fuel lines. Finally, the service breaks with rear brake caliper pistons may have insufficient coatings. This causes gas pockets to form and reduces rear brake performance.
2019 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
Recalls on the 2019 Chevy Equinox are from faulty seats that can have insufficient welding on the head-restraint bracket, causing seats to come loose. The rear brake caliper pistons may have insufficient coatings. This causes gas pockets to form and reduces rear brake performance. Finally, the tank assembly for fuel tanks may have improperly sealed seams, allowing fuel to leak along seams near fuel inlets.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
There are two major Chevy Equinox problems thus far with the 2020 model. The tank assembly is faulty, where fuel tanks may have improperly sealed seams, allowing fuel to leak along seams near fuel inlets. The service brakes on the 2020 model, where the rear brake calipers may have been produced with incorrect lubricants. This can cause the rubber seals to swell and brakes to drag.