36 of the 943 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox are about the steering — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 36,000 miles.
36
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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ABS stabilizer light on dash shows ABS malfunction.took it to certified mechanic to check the problem and was told the system had to be replaced at the cost of $4000.
NHTSA complaint #11703120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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the abs light came on the dash and traction control.i was driving in a rain storm and went around a corner and front end started to slide.was only going 35 mph so I didn't lose control.this happened on.04/15/2025 .if I would have been going any faster I would have lost control.this is very dangerous as I realized. it should be fixed by GM for safety concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11654961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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the camshaft actuators continue creating difficultdriving conditions. The POO11 and POO13 Codes continually show Faulty even after replacement. the Vehicle {2012 Chevrolet Equinox} Lurches and Bucks,creating difficulty for the safe operations of this vehicle. This creates Adverse reactions from other motorists by just acting up ,even after repairs. This is my 3rd time replacing these components to no avail. The OBD does kick out the engine light, but its Definately Manufacturer POOR DESIGNing. This problem while driving in traffic is Concerning. Is there any remedy? parrybruce57@gmail.com August 18,2022 Thank You B A Parry
NHTSA complaint #11480062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Sterring wheel harden and wheels to moving
NHTSA complaint #11433560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN IN-MOTION AT MY POWER STEERING FAILS, THE WHEEL SEEMS TO GRAB AND MY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS MOMENTARILY NOT IN MY CONTROL. IT HAPPENS ON STRAIGHT AWAYS AND MOST OFTEN IN SLOW SPEED TURNS. MY CONCERNS ARE THE INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT HAPPENS IN BUSY TRAFFIC AND ON WET & ICED ROADWAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE LAST 1000PLUS MILES AND MY SERVICE POWER STEERING NOTICE HAS FLASHED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. I AM SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #11376088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I WAS OUT AND ABOUT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DESTINATION, TURNED OFF AS I DO BEFORE GOING IN TO ANY PLACE. I CAN OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MESSING WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IT STARTED. ACTED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT STANDED ME FOR ABOUT 45 MINS. NOW THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AND WHILE DRIVING IF I TURN TO THE RIGHT THE RADIO GOES OUT AND POWER STEERING CUTS OUT THEN ONCE OUT OF THE TURN IT WORKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TURNING, NOW IN EITHER DIRECTION THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #11362420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS MORNING AND NOTICE THE CAR SAID TO 'SERVICE POWER STEERING'. AFTER RESEARCHING THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2010 - 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX POWER STEERING AS THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ISSUES REPORTED OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11355521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DRIVING NORMALLY ABOUT 35 MPH ON SUBURBAN ROAD WHEN DASHBOARD SUDDENLY INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING." THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTANCE AND WAS STRENUOUS, EVEN DANGEROUSLY RESISTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEEDING TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ARRIVED HOME AND CHECK THE POWER STEERING FUSE, WHICH WAS OKAY. NEXT DAY STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL POWER-ASSIST AND DASHBOARD INDICATOR MESSAGE WAS GONE.
NHTSA complaint #11331497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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VEHICLE WILL STOP WHILE DRIVING, SITTING AT LIGHT, AND DRIVEWAY.. I HAVE TO CONTINUE PUTTING OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE OR ROLL WINDOWS UP. DOESN'T WANT TO START NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11218020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 3/29/2019 AND ON 4/1/2019 FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IS SUUSEPTABLE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING ENGINE TO WEAR OUT AND COULD STOP RUNNING ON THE ROAD MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO THAT THE STEERING CAUSES RESISTANCE TO STEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES CAUSING A HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD. AM I INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS?
NHTSA complaint #11193139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL AND THE GAS PEDAL OCCASIONALLY STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET DOWNTOWN IN A CITY AND THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11153148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE SOON.WHEN I GO TO TURN ON IGNITION CAR WONT START OR EVEN TURN OVER.
NHTSA complaint #11121304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND HE STATED THAT THE CAR ISN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK EITHER BECAUSE THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE PUSHED IN WHILE THE CAR IS TURN OFF AND IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #11104182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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RUBBING SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED. DEALER DIAGNOSE IT AS LOW SPEED SHUDDER AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE THAT WILL LAST. VERY ANNOYING SOUND AND I AM VERY UNCONFORTABLE DRIVING WITH THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11079905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I PURCHASED A 2012 GM EQUINOX ON SEPT. 6, 2017 SEPT 9 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS LOW ON OIL ' WE ADDED OIL SEPT 13 I HAD A TIRE CLAIM DUE TO TIRES BEING 'DRY ROTTED' PER DEALERSHIP. OCT 19 CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY, STALLING ' STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND MY 8 YEAR OLD DISABLED DAUGHTER. HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME. WHEN CHECKED VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO OIL IN IT AGAIN. OCT 29 ' BRINGING DISABLED DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CHECKED AND THERE WAS ALMOST NO OIL IN IT. WE HAVE HAD TO ADD OIL TO VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE JUST TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T BREAK DOWN TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. WE DID THIS EVERY MONDAY JUST AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR. FEB 6 ' EVEN AFTER KEEPING OIL IN VEHICLE WEEKLY MY CAR WOULDN'T START THIS MORNING. CHECKED OIL ETC. IT FINALLY STARTED UP LATER THAT DAY AND I WENT TO GET MY STEP DAUGHTERS. WHEN WE GOT READY TO LEAVE AND TRIED TO CRANK CAR IT MADE A LOUD WHINY KIND OF SOUND AND IT SMELLED LIKE WIRES OR SOMETHING BURNING. STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER AGAIN AND I COULDN'T REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T CRANK BACK. CALLED SOMEONE TO COME. THEY CHECKED BATTERY, FUSES, ETC. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR WHERE IT WAS OVERNIGHT BELIEVING IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. FEB 7 ' MECHANIC WAS CALLED TO CHECK CAR. REAR MAIN SEALED WAS BUSTED, TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND SEVERELY DAMAGED ENTIRE MOTOR. ENTIRE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SHOT AND HAD NUMEROUS BROKEN PIECES! I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THIS AND DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH DETAILS VERY SIMILAR TO MY OWN AND END RESULTS THE SAME AS MY OWN.
NHTSA complaint #11073888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL WITH MY CHILDREN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11073642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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FIRST ONE WEEK AGO, THE CAR WAS SLOW TO TURN ON WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LITE UP WITH THE MESSAGE CHECK POWER STEERING. TONIGHT 8/11/17 THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, BUT IT STILL HAS A WORKING HORN, LIGHTS. AND RADIO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE STABILTRACK MESSAGE, ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER AND BACK, AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE ELECTRIC PANEL ARE ON. ENGINE WILL NOT TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #11014771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE TOWING 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTOR HOME...TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON I-75 IN TENNESSEE WITHIN 100 MILES OF THE TENNESSEE GEORGIA BORDER I HIT A VERY ROUGH PATCH OF THE INTERSTATE GOING 64 MPH. MY 2012 4 CYLINDER CHEVROLET EQUINOX STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE MY MOTORHOME, WHEN I GLANCED AT MY REARVIEW MONITOR THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR WAS WHIPPING BACK AND FORTH. FORCING ME TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE OUTSIDE BERM, THIS WAS AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, SO I WAS LUCKY. WHEN MY SPEED DROPPED TO 5 TO 10 MPH IT STOPPED AND IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER SOME THOUGHT THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED AND AROUND THE PART OF I-75 NORTH BOUND ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10970021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN APRIL 2016, I GOT A ERROR READING LAST NIGHT SAYING SERVICE YOUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED
NHTSA complaint #10955473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TIRE PRESSURE( EVERY WEEK NEED AIR PRESSURE),POWER STEERING( LIGHT ON SAY CHECK) , COD#P0010 (ING LIGHT ON) ING OFF ALONE...
NHTSA complaint #10939291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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ON 3/31/15, CHEVY DEALER THAT SOLD US THE CAR REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR SUBJECT TO BULLETIN 14232, BECAUSE WE GOT A LETTER FROM GM ADVISING US TO GET IT DONE. ON 10/17/16, POWER STEERING FAILED DURING A TURN ON CITY STREET, CAUSING EMERGENCY BRAKING AND NEAR MISS. THE POWER STEERING FROZE UP, AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. ON 10/18/16, THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED NEAR THE END OF A 10-MILE COMMUTE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AT THIS TIME TO THE SAME DEALER. ON 10/25/16, DEALER RETURNED CAR TO US UN-REPAIRED, SAYING THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS A NEW ONE. THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR $400. WE TOLD THE DEALER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR THAT IS CURRENTLY FAILING, AND THAT THERE IS A TEN YEAR NON-WARRANTY WINDOW ON THIS TYPE OF SAFETY REPAIR. ON 10/26/16 WE CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN. THEY GOT BACK TO US ON 10/27/16 AND OFFERED TO FIX THE CAR FOR $400. THIS IS A DANGEROUS IF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO GM, AND THEY ARE OBLIGED TO FIX IT. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER CASE (NHTSA ID #10689932) OF STEERING FAILING AFTER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT PURSUANT TO BULLETIN 14232.
NHTSA complaint #10919921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SIDE PILLARS ARE SO WIDE NEAR THE SIDE MIRRORS THAT IT CAUSES A FOOT WIDE BLIND SPOT WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST SEVERAL OTHER ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS. THIS BLIND SPOT CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE WHILE TURNING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10908351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WHILE TOWING VEHICLE 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND MOTORHOME. LOCK UP OCCURRED TWICE, ONCE WHILE TURNING ON CORNER ENTERING I40 AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING OVER BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR ON UNEVEN LANE SURFACE ON I40.
NHTSA complaint #10860237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN OPENING THE STORAGE IN THE FRONT SEAT THE LIGHT BURNS SO HOT THAT IT BURNS THE RIGHT HIP/LEG OF THE DRIVER BADLY. STEERING MAKES A SUPER LOUD RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT THAT DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEEM TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10818275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AFTER 36K MILES, THE CAR STEERING WOULD STICK AND SLIP. PA DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE AS THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEED 65MPH. BUT, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REPORT ABOUT STEERING STICKING/SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND CAME BACK AFTER 36K MORE MILES ON THE NEW STEERING RACK. CAR IS AT VA DEALER TODAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS I MOVED. CAR ALSO HESITATES AND JERKS BACK WHEN ACCELERATING AND HAS DONE THAT SINCE A YEAR AFTER OWNED VEHICLE. LOVE THE CAR DESIGN BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER STEERING. AT TIMES STEERING FEELS LOOSE CAR HAS SLIPPED ON ICE AND CANNOT CONTROL STEERING. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FEEL THE STEERING DESIGN IS POOR. STEERING RACK DESIGN IS A SIMPLE CONCEPT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10689932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I WAS DRIVING AND NEEDED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND ALMOST RUN INTO A BRICK WALL. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM GM ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENCE THAT STATED THE STEERING WILL LOCK IN PLACE. I CONTACTED GM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10671557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING BECAME STICKY AND JERKY. SCARY. FEELING LIKE MAYBE I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL THEN WENT AWAY. HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL DAYS DRIVING THE HIGHWAY. HASN'T OCCURRED SINCE LAST YEAR AS I RECALL. DIDN'T TAKE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE PROBLEM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. BUT A FEW DAYS AGO I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ACKNOWLEDGING THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL/YEAR AND TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT IF THEY COULD NOT DRIVE IT AND DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND SINCE IT HASN'T HAPPENED RECENTLY, THEY TOLD ME TO JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. I AM MORE CONCERNED NOW THAT THEY APPARENTLY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND MUST KNOW THE PROPER REPAIR, BUT DO NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR. WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I AM NOT SO FORTUNATE IN MY ABILITY TO STEER PAST THE STICK AND JERK?
NHTSA complaint #10664687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000..UPDATED 09/ 30/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO BREAK FREE AND CONTINUED MOVING ABOUT TWO INCHES. AT THE SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/08/14
NHTSA complaint #10632697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE WHEN GOING AROUND 30 MILES PER HOUR THERE IS A HESITATION THEN A SURGE. IT HAS BEEN DOING THAT SINCE PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #10596561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN THE CAR IS EXCELLING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AROUND THE TIME THE CAR IS REACHING 10 MPH, BRAKING FOR A COMPLETE STOP THAN HAVING TO ACCELERATE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP; SUCH AS WHEN A STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, OR SLOWING DOWN FROM EXITING THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT HARD, MAKING A 'CLUNK' TYPE SOUND. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE SUDDEN SMALL JERKING MOTION. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, IN VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CRUISE HAS BEEN ON AND OFF WHEN THE STEERING ISSUE HAS OCCURRED; THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN ON AND OFF WHEN THE STEERING ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. I DRIVE IN 'ECO' MODE REGULARLY. AND I AM NOT INCLUDING SUDDEN STOPS IN THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10511658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.