To say that buying a new car is a big decision would be a huge understatement. There are so many to choose from and so many things to consider, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But while looks, speed, and handling are all important, one key factor that often gets overlooked is reliability.

With AAA estimating the annual cost of car ownership to be over $12,000, visits to the auto shop are only getting more expensive. Now more than ever, you want a dependable ride that’s built to last, but not all vehicles are made equal. Some are unreliable cars that you should avoid, and the Chevrolet Equinox is a prime example.

For anyone not yet familiar with the Equinox, it is a crossover SUV or compact SUV originally introduced by the Chevrolet brand in 2004 for the 2005 model year, with the intention of replacing the North American Chevrolet Tracker and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. Despite its far-from-stellar reputation, the vehicle has been a Chevy mainstay since then. An all-electric, battery-powered version called the Equinox EV was introduced in 2022 for the 2024 model year, which is currently sold alongside three core gasoline models.

So why is the Equinox known as an unreliable vehicle? Here, we’ll take a look at the most common mechanical problems, concerns over the car’s safety features, and what owners are saying about their experiences. Plus, for those who have already purchased a Chevy Equinox of their own, we’ll go over the ways you can protect yourself from the potential financial implications.

Common Mechanical Problems with the Chevrolet Equinox

RepairPal gives the Chevrolet Equinox a 3.5/5 reliability score — actually above average — but used car owners tell a very different story, which is why it makes our list of vehicles to avoid. Overall, the vehicle has received over 2,325 logged complaints during the 16 model years, with significant engine and heating/cooling concerns. Here are some of the common mechanical problems you can expect:

Engine Problems

Whichever Chevy Equinox year model you look at, engine problems are the order of the day. Many owners complain of excessive oil consumption, with one owner needing to replace their entire engine within the first year of purchase. Sometimes Equinoxes have suddenly run out of oil while out on the road, causing them to stall and endangering passengers.

Transmission Problems

Transmission problems are also common, with a significant number of owners reporting total transmission failure very early in their Equinox’s lifespan (sometimes before the 50,000-mile mark). Other transmission woes include trouble shifting gear, jumping when the gas pedal is released, and fluid leaking from the transfer case.

A/C and Heater Problems

Your A/C and heater are crucial for driving comfort, so Equinox owners weren’t too happy when they started to experience problems with theirs. There are many reports of A/C and heating working intermittently, but even more of them conking out completely.

Exterior Accessories Problems

A lot of Chevy Equinox drivers appear to have experienced problems with their windshield wipers, which can suddenly stop working during heavy rainfall. This is of course incredibly dangerous and could cause a serious collision if traveling at high speed.

Fuel System Problems

If you want a vehicle that goes far on a single tank, reports would suggest that the Chevy Equinox is not a good car to choose. Complaints for the 2011 model put the vehicle at around 23 MPG fuel economy on the open road, which is far less than the 30+ MPG estimated by the automaker. Inspection by a mechanic often fails to uncover an obvious fault, so it could well be that the Equinox just isn’t made for fuel-efficiency.

Recall History and Safety Concerns for Chevrolet Equinox Reliability

Manufacturers or the NHTSA will recall a vehicle if there are concerns around component performance that put drivers (and other road users) in danger. Chevy Equinox models have seen a total of 29 recalls since the first models rolled off the production line, ranging from worries around windshield wipers to major powertrain faults. Here are some examples:

2011 Chevrolet Equinox

Potential problem: Electrical system, power train

The 2011 model-year Chevrolet Equinox vehicles were recalled in 2016 due to a potential issue with the electronic park lock lever, which may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in “park.” If this happens, the vehicle may roll away as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox

Potential problem: Visibility

Another 2016 recall, 2013 model year Chevrolet Equinox vehicles were recalled over concerns that the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative. This would of course reduce the driver’s visibility and could cause a crash.

2015 Chevy Equinox

Potential problem: Airbags

In 2015, Equinox models from the same year were recalled over an extremely dangerous airbag fault which meant the front seat-mounted side impact airbag inflator could rupture on deployment. This would send shards of metal flying towards vehicle occupants, which could cause serious injury or even death.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Potential problem: Power train

The 2018 model year, Equinoxes were recalled due to an issue with the right front intermediate drive shaft, which may fracture and separate while driving. This can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly lose propulsion and increase the risk of a crash.

2021 Chevy Equinox

Potential problem: Fuel system, gasoline

The 2021 model year Chevrolet Equinox vehicles were recalled in 2023 because the fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine. This can result in the engine stalling, which increases the risk of a crash on the road.

On the plus side, should a check engine light happen to you, all recall-related repairs will be carried out free of charge by a dealership. But when you’ve been driving a potentially dangerous vehicle for any period of time, that really is the least they could do to fix these common issues.

To make matters worse, it can sometimes take automakers years to even admit that there’s a fault worth recalling, putting drivers in danger for even longer. Because of this, it’s worth staying away from any vehicle with a reputation for being recalled. Even if more recent models seem to be ok so far, you never know what issues might rear their head in just a few years’ time.

Consumer Complaints About the 2011 Chevy Equinox Reliability

The facts and figures do a lot of the talking, but nothing quite beats hearing it from the horse’s mouth. Taking a look at the 2011 Chevy Equinox in particular (which received the most overall complaints on CarComplaints.com), owners have experienced a range of common problems that made driving this automotive less than enjoyable:

Problems encountered: Excessive oil consumption

“We had to replace the catalytic converter at 60,000 miles due to excessive oil consumption and have been pouring about 2 quarts of oil between changes. The oil becomes black within 4,000 miles, prompting early changes now with 99,000 miles.” – Peter T, San Jose, CA

Problems encountered: Transmission failure

“I had a complete transmission failure on my 2011 Equinox 2.4 LT with 69,671 miles. Chevy dealership quoted me $4,500 to replace and no warranty coverage (5 years/100,000 miles whichever came first). I had the car towed to a local transmission shop and had it completely rebuilt for $2683.79 with a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty. Thanks a lot Chevy. I’m done with you for any future purchases.” – Larry S, Arvada, CO

Problems encountered: A/C stopped working

“This problem with the A/C is HUGE!!! I have not gotten it fixed yet due to the estimated cost of repair and thankfully, it happened while in cooler weather. My mechanic is estimating the cost to be around $1,400.00. He thinks the problem is my condenser due to the evaporator coil being broken. He said he wants to start with just the condenser and see if that fixes the problem, but if not, then go onto the evaporator coil. This is a huge problem and shouldn’t be happening in a 2011 vehicle.” – Weimantx, Rosenberg, TX

Extended Warranties: Mitigating the Risks

New Chevrolet Equinox vehicles will come with what’s known as a factory warranty or manufacturer’s warranty, which is basically General Motors’ promise to repair or replace any component that fails due to fault within a predetermined number of years or miles traveled (whichever comes first). This is great while it lasts, as it protects you from the vast majority of unexpected repair bills. But the second it expires, you’re out on your own.

Don’t worry too much, however. You have options if you’d like to continue experiencing the same level of protection and mitigate the risks of owning an unreliable car. The first of these is what’s commonly known as a traditional extended warranty, which is usually purchased via a dealership or sometimes directly from your manufacturer. Having one will literally extend your factory warranty coverage beyond the expiry date, but this route can be very expensive and has a number of frustrating restrictions.

The second (and universally preferred) route is an extended car warranty (more accurately called a vehicle service contract) from a third-party provider. These are often more affordable without compromising on comprehensiveness and include added perks for maximum value for money. Of these third-party providers, Endurance is America’s most trusted for customizable auto protection plans.

There’s a wide range of Endurance plans to choose from, with something for almost every type of driver. Whether you’re a road-tripper, a rideshare driver, or even a high-mileage car owner, we’ve got you covered, with the flexibility to tweak plan specifics if they don’t quite meet your individual needs and budget. Coverage levels range from basic powertrain to exclusionary, so you’re free to protect as much or as little as you require. But in the case of a Chevy Equinox, you might want to go for something a little more thorough.

On top of market-leading coverage, all Endurance plans include a suite of unbeatable benefits, such as 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs. For a nominal activation fee, Endurance customers also get a year’s free access to our Elite Benefits, which piles on even more services like tire repair or replacement that can be a lifesaver out on the road.*

Protect Your Chevy Equinox Reliability with America’s Best Auto Protection Plan

Owning a used Chevy Equinox may be risky, but with an extended warranty watching out for you, at least you won’t need to worry about your wallet. If you own a Chevy Equinox and need protection from unexpected repair bills, speak to an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203. You can also see plan recommendations and instant pricing on our eStore.

Our extended warranty blog also has plenty more articles on vehicle comparisons with other used SUVs, such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, GMC Terrain, and others.