27 of the 1,139 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox are about the braking system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 64,411 miles.
27
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
My brakes went to the floor going 55 then they got really hard to press almost wrecked had to get towed! Then after that the suspension felt really loose
NHTSA complaint #11459055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WAS TOLD IT'S A BAD SENSOR AND REPLACE WHEN POSSIBLE. ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, (NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENTED) I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED MY BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY THE ABS AND STABILITRACK LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS MORE THAN 1/2' AND MADE A GEAR LOCKING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP USING MANUAL DOWNSHIFT AND PUMPING THE BRAKES. WHEN PRESENTING TO MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE. READ THAT AGAIN. I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE A BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11407934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY REPAIR STABILTRAK LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT , IS ON . MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT IS ON . ALL OF SUDDEN WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC MY CAR LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION AND MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED . I HAVE TO PULL OVER SO I'M NOT REAR ENDED . THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND ON HIGHWAY . THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STABILTRAK/ TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. I ONLY HAVE 89,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE . I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON CHEVY EQUINOX . I'M WORRIED ABOUT BEING KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE MY VEHICLE LOSES POWER WITHOUT WARNING . THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED !
NHTSA complaint #11406213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS SHOULD CLEARLY BE A RECALL BASED ON ALL THE POSTE EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ALL MY LIGHTS COME ON STABILITRACK, ABS, CHECK ENGINE, STEERING FLUID. I BARELY HAVE ANY POWER, AND MY SPEED SENSOR NO LONGER READS AT ALL. ALSO MY OIL BURNS EXTREMELY FAST. LINK TO FORUM WHERE EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HTTPS://CHEVROLETFORUM.COM/FORUM/EQUINOX-23/SERVICE-STABILITRAK-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-62780/PAGE11/
NHTSA complaint #11292272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING WHEN I WENT OVER TRAIN TRACKS. AS SOON AS I DID MY "STBILITRAK" LIGHT CAME ON. ALL WHEEL DRIVE TURNED OFF AS WELL AS ABS. MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I TRIED TO BREAK AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'M UPSET WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A CHEVY, BUT I THINK THEY QUALITY IN WORK IS DECREASING. I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CAR I WILL GET NEXT. I PREFER CHEVY SINCE IT'S ALL OUR FAMILY HAS EVERY BOUGHT, HOWEVER I'M SICK OF HAVING UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #11265966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, AT TIMES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE CONTACT DROVE TO GANLEY CHEVROLET (13865 BROOKPARK RD, BROOK PARK, OH 44142, 216-586-5804) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DEEMED POINTLESS. THE DEALER DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED THE CONTACT A VOUCHER TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT
NHTSA complaint #11254814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
CAT CONVERTER GONE OUT, ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKES ARE MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND, WHEN I GET IT FIXED IT'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #11253398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING HOME I WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION IN WHICH A FEW CARS WERE BEGINNING TO MOVE AS I APPROACHED THE RED LIGHT. ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY, UPON SEEING THE SLOW START, I BEGAN BREAKING. UNFORTUNATELY I CONTINUALLY PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL TO FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP AND RAN MY VEHICLE UNDER BACK END OF A FEDEX DELIVERY TRUCK. ONE HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED MY AIRBAG CANISTERS INITIATED BUT BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AFTER IMPACT I DID RECEIVE INDICATOR NOTIFICATION STATING AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED. PRIOR TO THE COLLISION O HAVE HAD TOTAL REBUILD OF MOTOR FROM BLOCK UPWARD BY GMC I REPORTED THAT NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE ON HWY MY CARD WOULD SUDDENLY STALL/ LAG . GOING FROM 65-70MPH DOWN TO 20-30MPH. HAVE HAD ENGINE MAINTAINED WELL AND CHANGING OIL ETC WAS TOLD ALL 3 TIMES I TOOK IT IS IT RESULTED NOTHING THAT COULD BE REPLICATED. DESPITE HAVING BEEN LUCKY SINCE IT COMMON APPARANTLY FOR MY VEHICHLE TO BEGIN LOSES OIL AND HAS TO BE REFILLED Q-2 X WEEK LY.( SEEMS TO BE COMMON COMPLAINT FROM AUTOMOTIVE MEN TO STATE ALL IS GOOD. 1) IT IS NOT ALL GOOD. 2) I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF STALLING, FAILED BREAKING SYSTEM AND LACK OF AIR BAG.DEPLOYMENT.I ALSO TOOK SEVERAL TIMES FOR TIMING BELT REPAIR AND EVEN HAD MOTOR REBUILT AND ALSO DESPITE JUST HAVING PUT ON WHEN THIS STARTED 3 MONTHSEAGO, HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE 4 MO AFTER BUYING VEHICLE ( HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT . OF COURSE AM ALWAYS TOLD NOT IN WARRANTY TIME LIMIT OR MY VIN # NOT INCLUDED IN CARS IDENTIFIED OF INCREASED RISK AND ALWAYS TOLD THERE IS AN INABILITY TO REPLICATE COMPLAINTS. WELL NOW I HAVE A TOTALLED CAR BUT PRAISE BE TO GOD HE STILL WRITING MY STORY AND I AM UNHARMED AND WILL NEED NEW VEHICHLE
NHTSA complaint #11192087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING, LIGHTS CAME ON DISPLAYING "ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF", "TRACTION CONTROL OFF", AND SERVICE STABILITRAK. CAR DROPPED SUDDENLY (ON CURVE, ON BUSY ROAD) TO 10MPH. SHAKING BAD AND BRAKES BARELY WORKING. CAR SHAKES WORSE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER WILL NOT FIX. SAYS LIGHTS ARE OFF WHEN THEY SEE IT SO THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ALWAYS IN COLD WEATHER. NO ICE OR SNOW THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11151419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WE WERE DRIVING OUR EQUINOX AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US ON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND THAT CAR HIT THE NEXT CAR. BOTH DRIVERS REPORTED INJURIES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO SLOW DOWN LET ALONE STOP. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND A BRAKE BOOSTER IS THE PROBABLE PROBLEM. BOTH OUR CAR SERVICE PROVIDER AND ON LINE BLOGS LIST THIS AS AN ISSUE. SOMETHING ABOUT THE VACUUM AND BRAKE FLUID CAUSING TOO MUCH PRESSURE SO THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS IN HIGH HEAT AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON A HILL. AFTER THE CAR STOPS AND COOLS DOWN OR IS LEFT ON LEVEL GROUND, THEN THE BRAKES START WORKING AGAIN. THIS MAKES THE ISSUE HARDER TO FIND ACCORDING TO OUR CAR REPAIR SHOP. WE HAD GM TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OVERALL DEFECT IN THE PART. THEY DID NOT LOOK AT OUR SPECIFIC PART. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR INCLUDING HAVING THE ENGINE REBUILT FOR THE HIGH OIL USAGE ISSUE. WE ARE GLAD THAT WE AND OUR CHILDREN WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS DEATH TRAP ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #11141251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2018. AS OF JULY 2018, MY AC COMPRESSOR HAS GONE OUT & THE SERVICE STABLITITRAK WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #11120482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AT 89,000 MILES ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON RENDERING BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL USELESS. REPAIRS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO THE FACT THE RELUCTOR RINGS / MAGNETIC RINGS ON BOTH BEARINGS HAD STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE MISSING LARGE PORTIONS OF IT. APPARENTLY THESE RELUCTOR RINGS ARE POORLY GLUED ON. THIS SAFETY DEVICE SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. AT $125 PER BEARING PLUS LABOR THIS IS NOT A CHEAP FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11103693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TAKATA RECALL" DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER 20990924:SL-N-CYLINDER KIT ( 04649-20990. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR DID NOT STOP. I HAD TO RUN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO PREVENT HITTING THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11067343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS & RECALLS BY GM. IN 2017 I HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP X 2, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION, SVC TRACTION, ABS STABILITY TRACK, SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER, STRUT MOUNTS, LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, L & R REAR TRAIL ARM BUSHINGS, THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR IS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY AND I AM KEEPING RECORDS OF THIS AS THERE IS A RECALL/LAWSUIT PENDING ON THIS ISSUE CURRENTLY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO MUCH OF THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED UNDER THAT EXCEPT LABOR AND TAXES WHICH STILL IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS AND MONEY I SPENT ON A 6 YEAR OLD CAR. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.
NHTSA complaint #11055272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DALE EARNHARDT, JR. CHEVROLET LOCATED AT: 3127 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 270-1463, WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11031461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. BRAKE LIGHT ALARM CAME ON FOLLOWED BY STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ALARM. FAILURE IN MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER ALLOWED BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN FROM SYSTEM. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I NEEDED TO HAVE BOTH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10705106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING THIS BEING WITH A MALFUNCTIONING TCMP I WAS COMING UP ON A LIGHT AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK BUT ACTUALLY LET ME MOVE RIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL THUS CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY STERNUM AND ALSO BREAKING 2 RIBS AND MY HEAD CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO OF COURSE DID NOT PAY ANYTHING NEAR WHAT I DID GO FIGURE.
NHTSA complaint #10639490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE BURNED OUT IN CAR AS WELL AS ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10598538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DOUBLE PARKED, WITH THE GEAR IN THE PARKING POSITION, TALKING TO MY COUSIN ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. WE TALKED FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. I WAS TRYING TO UNLOAD MY CAR TO TAKE SOME GROCERIES IN THE HOUSE. MY TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE (DRIVERS SIDE) TWICE BUT THE TRUNK STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THEN I WENT AROUND THE PASSENGERS SIDE WITH INTENTIONS ON TURNING THE CAR ON & TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THAT WAY, BUT AS SOON AS I OPENED THE DOOR, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS WITH MY 12 MONTH OLD SON IN IT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS (WHILE STILL ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE) BUT THE GEAR WAS STUCK. (ALL OF THIS WHILE RUNNING WITH THE CAR) MY COUSIN & I WERE HOLDING ON TO THE CAR AS BEST AS WE COULD TO TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN TO AVOID THE BABY BEING INJURED OR ROLLED COMPLETELY AWAY FROM US. THEN I THOUGHT TO JUST TRY TO GET THE BABY OUT WHILE SHE HELD ON TO THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN THE SPEED. AS I WAS TRYING TO UNSTRAP THE BABY'S SEATBELT, MY CAR SWIPED ANOTHER CAR, TEARING OFF THE MIRROR & CREATING SWIPE MARKS, CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, THEN I MANAGED TO FREE MY BABY. AS SOON AS I GOT HIM OUT, THE CAR HIT A POLE, WHICH SLOWED DOWN THE SPEED, THEN A TRUCK WHICH STOPPED IT. I SUFFER MULTIPLE BRUISES TO MY RIGHT LEG AND WE BOTH SUFFER MUSCLE PAIN THROUGHOUT OUR BODIES.
NHTSA complaint #10592277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A WINDOW. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10563716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SO MY TRACTION CONTROL AN ABS LIGHT GOES OFF AN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, AND IT APPEARS MY LEFT WHEEL SENSOR IS FAULTY AND CAN CAUSE LOCK UP IN BREAKS AND DECREASED POWER. TURNS OUT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL CHEVY EQUINOX MODELS.THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS COMPLAINTS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT AS I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN,PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10544080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
EQUINOX WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASED IN JULY 2011. ENGINE MADE LOUD NOISE EACH TIME STARTED. RETURNED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEM WITH NO RESULTS. IN MAY 2013, ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CAM INTAKE BUT WILL NOT GUARANTEE THAT FUTURE PROBLEMS MAY OCCUR. ADDITIONALLY, THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM - WHINING NOISE. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED YET. WILL CONTINUE TO RETURN TO DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10524372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED I HAD TO STOP DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES STARTED PULSING AND I HAD NO STOPPING ABILITIES UNTIL I HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. AGAIN THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED, I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE CAR INFRONT OF ME SLAMS THEIR BRAKES AND I FOLLOW MY APPLYING MY BRAKES. AGAIN THE BRAKES PULSED AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THE SECOND TIME I HAD MORE THAN TWO CAR SPACES BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER CAR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS FOR BOTH INCIDENTS WERE CLEAR AND NO VISIBLE LIQUID ON THE ROAD. EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10501892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND IN LANE 3 TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. I WENT TO APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP NOTHING HAPPEN AS I WAS GETTING REAL CLOSE TO A STOPPED CAR MY FOOT REMAINED ON BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN NOTHING I MADE A SPLIT DECISION TO TRY TO DRIVE BETWEEN CARS IN LANE 2 AND 3 INSTEAD OF REAR ENDING THE STOPPED VEHICLE. I SIDESWIPED 3 CARS AND ONLY THEN DID I COME TO A STOP. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED ALOT OF DAMAGE COMPARE TO THE OTHER CARS. WHEN THIS 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX IS FIXED I WILL NOT KEEP IT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I WOULD FEAR THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS AN UNSAFE CAR IN MY OPINION.
NHTSA complaint #10474570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 7/19/12 AT 2:30 PM, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON CALIFORNIA INTERSTATE I-15, LANE S-2 AT 60 MPH. THE TRAFFIC WAS FLOWING FREELY, ONE VEHICLE WAS TO MY REAR IN LANE S-3. THEIR WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS IN ANY LANES. I HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND, NEXT A LOUD "BANG" SOUND UNDER MY CAR. I ALSO SAW THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT FLASH ON AN OFF ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I SLOWED DOWN, MOVED TO LANE S-3, LIGHTLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES APPEARED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO OTHER INFORMATION LIGHTS ON OR FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS NOT ON. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MY RESIDENCE AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION LEVER INTO PARK, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL. AT THIS TIME THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETLY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE USUAL RESISTANCE WHEN APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I EXITED THE CAR AND SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A WIRE HANGING LOOSE IN TWO PEICES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE VEHDICLE AND SAID I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD AND IT CUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE, PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR AND IT WAS NOT WARRANTY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE CAR, FOUND NO "WITNESS MARKS", WHICH WOULD INDICATE A FOREIGN OBJECT IMPACTING ANY PART OF THE CAR. IF SO, THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR SAID WOULD INDICATE I HIT SOMETHING PRIOR TO THE FOREIGN OBJECT BREAKING THE CABLE AND DAMAGING THE FLOOR. MY INSURANCE IS COVERINVG THIS BUT MAY CHOOSE TO SUBROGATE AGAINST CHEVROLET. I CONTACTED A FRIEND I KNOW AT CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THE COMPANY HAS NUMEROUS PRODUCT REPORTS OF UNEXPLAINED EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE FRAYING AND FAILURE NOT CAUDED BY ROAD HAZARDS OR DEBRIS HITTING THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A PART RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10466972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND AND THE STREET LIGHT TURNS YELLOW. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND ALL I HEARD WAS A CLICKING CLATTERING SOUND (CLICK, CLICK, CLICK) GO OFF. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE INTERSECTION, MY LIGHT TURNS RED AND I AM STILL PRESSING ON THE BRAKES FOR THE CAR TO STOP BUT IT DOESN'T, AGAIN ALL I HEAR IS A CLICKING SOUND. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN FOR THE OTHER CAR AND BECAUSE MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO IN ORDER TO "STOP" MY CAR, I ENDED UP HITTING THE OTHER CAR ON THE SIDE. MY CAR RECEIVED MOSTLY ALL OF THE IMPACT AND DAMAGE SINCE IT WENT HEAD ON WITH THE SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR. I WOULD HAVE NEVER EXPECTED OR EVEN THOUGHT OF MY BRAKES GOING BAD ON MY 2011 CHEVY LS EQUINOX. THAT IS JUST SOMETHING YOU DON'T EXPECT BECAUSE ITS A NEW CAR AND YOU ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE CAR IS 100% IN WORKING CONDITION. I UNDERSTAND THAT MALFUNCTIONS HAPPEN, BUT THIS ONE I DID NOT SEE COMING. I WILL SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. NOW I HAVE NO CAR, AND ALTHOUGH I LOVED THAT CAR, SADLY I WILL NOT BUY FROM CHEVY ANYMORE. I GUESS THEY GO HAND IN HAND WITH TOYOTA WITH THEIR BRAKE ISSUES. *JS
NHTSA complaint #10456006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE 1: WHILE SLOWING AND BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. MILEAGE WAS APPROX. 300. FAILURE 2: AT APPROX. 20 T0 25 MPH I APPLIED MODERATE BRAKING AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN APPLIED FULL HARD PRESSURE AND NOTHING. I THEN RELEASED AND REAPPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE AND IT WORKED JUST IN TIME. IF I WAS AT A HIGHER SPEED I COULD HAVE KILLED A PEDESTRIAN AND THEY WOULD HAVE BLAMED ME AFTER THE COPS VERIFIED BRAKES WORKED FOR THEM. APPROX. MILEAGE 750
NHTSA complaint #10418769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.