YearToAvoid

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 57% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 Equinox years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
782
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
30
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
41
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19.5
16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
41 / 2

Top 2011 Chevy Equinox problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine443 (57%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain145 (19%)
  3. Brakes77 (10%)
  4. Electrical System75 (10%)
  5. Fuel System75 (10%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers74 (9%)
  7. Other62 (8%)
  8. Airbags52 (7%)
  9. Steering43 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body23 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in frontal collisions, including deer strikes and rear-end crashes, sometimes with only powder residue released.
  • Brakes have reportedly failed intermittently, with a clicking or clattering sound from the pedal followed by loss of stopping power.
  • Some drivers reported the brake pedal sticking to the floorboard while parking, requiring use of the emergency brake to stop.
  • Steering wheel reportedly locked or stuck while turning during normal driving, making it difficult to straighten the vehicle.
  • One airbag deployment was followed by a fire and burning electrical smell after a collision.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox complaints: complaints filed per quarter322010 Q42012 Q42014 Q42016 Q42018 Q42020 Q42022 Q42024 Q4
782 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (32).

2011 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:power adjust

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 10V623000Dec 15, 2010Seat Belts97,843 vehicles

    Seat belts:front:buckle assembly

    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.

    Remedy: 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 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Equinox years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good094019.5
2010Avoid90784321.5
2011Avoid95782319.5
2012Avoid75685321.5
2013Avoid80751221.5

All Chevrolet Equinox years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Compared to other Equinox model years, the 2011 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 95, the second-highest among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine problems make up 57% of complaints for this model year, with a median mileage at failure of 85,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Equinox, covering seat belt buckle anchors, power height adjuster shoulder bolts, and an electronic park lock lever issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What years of the Chevrolet Equinox should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2025 model years all carry an Avoid verdict, with the 2011 ranked second-worst overall.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has logged 782 complaints for the 2011 Equinox, including 30 crashes, 3 fires, 41 injuries, and 2 deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.