1,085 of the 12,688 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Equinox are about the transmission — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2010.
1,085
Complaints
9%
Share of all complaints
22
Crashes
4
Fires
POWER TRAIN
Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred
NHTSA complaint #11758252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated the failure reoccurred. The transmission failed to shift out of first gear, and the RPM was elevated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #11757448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping and shifted hard. Additionally, while on an incline, the vehicle failed to get up to speed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The vehicle was driven in LIMP Mode back to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,381.
NHTSA complaint #11753336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While turning right at a red light my vehicle started making knocking noises, loss of acceleration then the ECM (limp mode) and ESC code happened. Protecting the vehicle from damage due to transmission fluid loss. Looked under the car and Transmission fluid was pouring out between the transmission and drive shaft. Car will no longer start due to codes being present from the computer shutting the car down during fluid loss.
NHTSA complaint #11752207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Subject vehicle has 11919 miles. The vehicle is less than three years old and covered under factory warranty. While driving 35MPH, engine suddenly did not respond to throttle. This engine stopped. Driver was able to coast to roadside. After OnStar analysis, engine control computer logged code 'P129F - An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption'. After towing to dealer, part number 13554821 was replaced. There were no prior warnings. The engine just stopped and would not restart. This is a major safety concern. This incident occurred 10 minutes after exiting the highway (65MPH). Having your engine stop unannounced at any speed in traffic is not safe, especially in high traffic and high speed situations. Dealer service nevertheless indicated this particular problem and part is well known but not considered a safety issue by the manufacturer. We disagree.
NHTSA complaint #11751747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The high pressure fuel pump seized, shattering the camshaft, dropping metal fragments into the cylinders causing total engine failure. GM issued a safety recall for certain 2021-2022 Chevy equinox due to a defective fuel pump modules but it was not accurate. GM is currently facing major class action lawsuits alleging that their equinox fuel pumps are fundamentally defective. The lawsuits highlight that the component fails, causing catastrophic damage and GMs initial recall fixes were inadequate.
NHTSA complaint #11751317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On XXX while traveling near the posted speed limit and entering [XXX], my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD suddenly lost propulsion and no longer responded normally to the accelerator. My friend was driving. The vehicle coasted to a stop but remained partially in the travel lane, creating a serious risk of being struck from behind. I immediately activated the hazard flashers and contacted OnStar SOS. There were no warning chimes, and neither of us noticed any warning message. I did not think to check the dashboard gear-selection indicator during the event, so I cannot say whether it continued to show Drive or had changed to Neutral. After the vehicle stopped, I instructed the driver to place it in Park so it would not roll. After waiting several minutes for assistance, I attempted to restart the vehicle. It started immediately and subsequently operated normally. When I first asked my friend to move it, I initially failed to remind her that the brake pedal had to be pressed before shifting out of Park. Once the brake was applied, the vehicle shifted normally. I then drove it completely onto the shoulder and continued to our hotel without further incident. OnStar later performed remote diagnostics and reported no faults. The MyChevrolet app showed all vehicle systems as normal. OnStar also reported that the vehicle software was fully up to date and that there were no open recalls. The vehicle has continued to operate normally, but the cause of the sudden loss of propulsion remains unknown. No collision or injury occurred, but the event presented a substantial safety hazard because the vehicle became disabled at road speed and stopped partially in an active traffic lane. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11751235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on occasion will be a hard take off requiring a firm foot on the brake. At time it will also shift hard into 1st gear. My car has been in the dealership three times for this issue and the last time the tech said there was a recall for the issue and performed some reset and gave me the car back. Other than that they said there is nothing they can do about it. This issue presents a major safety issue especially when it losses power during a lane change or passing someone. I can't anticipate when the power will come back and by that time the traffic has now caught up to me. This problem started probably 6-8 months after I purchased the car new from the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11749947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Possible O2 sensor. Engine misfired, bucking under acceleration, engine light flashing and auto hold system shutdown. Upon pulling out into traffic, I hit the gas and this happened, which was a risk to me and other drivers as I could not accelerate properly. I am taking my car to Reedman Toll on July 13. I can reproduce the problem every time I heavy accelerate.
NHTSA complaint #11749865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The electronic brake control module causes the car to no start and goes into limp mode. Cuts off the power to every system in the entire dashboard including the transmission making the car very dangerous to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11748322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
December 2025 I was at a complete stop and the car clunked and the brake pedal got hard hard to push and then a couple months later a brake sensor light came on and when I plugged the code reader into it, it said give me a brake sensor code, and then it started slamming on the brakes all by itself when I went to takeoff hard like give you whiplash hard and it didn’t just do it once it did it a few times and then it wouldn’t go into reverse and then it wouldn’t go in neutral, and then it started smoking. My safety was affected by it, slamming on the brakes that could make someone hit me. It could hurt my back and neck. Yes, I have proof. Yes, I notified the dealer. Yes the vehicle has been inspected and I got an estimate by two different Car Lot the one I bought it from Ken valor motors, and Matt Mazzoni’s I have. Plus I have diagnose diagnostics printouts from OnStar and this is a 2020 vehicle. It should not be having these problems and now I’m stuck paying for a vehicle that I can’t even drive.!!
NHTSA complaint #11747321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My car seized while I was driving. It started fine and I drove about 10 min down the road and all of a sudden it seized. My car was towed to dealership. OnStar sent me a code p129f fuel pump. I was driving on the road and it seized. Could have caused a bad accident. Cars had to go around me. Yes the problem was “fixed” today 6/30. No prior error messages after is seized my battery light came on
NHTSA complaint #11747460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2013 Equinox is experiencing the excessive oil loss without warning..this led to transmission..engine..timing failure. The car loses power jerks at slower speeds it sounds horrible and has cost a lot of money for repairs. Still don’t know if it will last much longer. This is a burden on my family as we can’t afford to just go buy another vehicle. I purchased it in 2022 and in 2019 there was a lawsuit being settled for these exact problems and I was not told this nor was it disclosed on the carfax report!! Very upsetting as I will be without a means of transportation.
NHTSA complaint #11747310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission lurches and shakes violently when under pressure such as times when trying to accelerate onto a highway. I recently was traveling and had to enter numerous highways and each time the transmission was extremely jerky and I felt it may fall out of the car at some points. Once I was trying to get on to the highway and a tractor trailer was coming up behind me and I literally have to pull off to the right because the car would not accelerate and was jerking violently. I've had it to Chevrolet service three times and each time they tell me it's normal which I know is absolutely not true.
NHTSA complaint #11746617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle lost acceleration/propulsion while traveling at highway speed on a major bridge with limited safe shoulder space. The vehicle suddenly stopped providing power needed to maintain speed in fast-moving traffic. Passengers included an infant, young child, and other family members. This created a serious safety risk because there was little room to safely pull over while traffic continued around the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealer and is available for inspection. The cause has not yet been confirmed. The vehicle has about 15,000 miles. Shortly after the lease began, the check engine light came on intermittently and then turned off the next time the vehicle was driven. There have also been prior concerns with unexpected automatic emergency braking behavior. This complaint is being filed because sudden loss of acceleration/propulsion at highway speed on a bridge creates a serious crash risk.
NHTSA complaint #11744154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Recall Number N202313440 My car matches make, model, and year but for some reason is not included in the recall and my vehicle has the leaking bolts. Please Review
NHTSA complaint #11742924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I was heading home from my vacation with my lady and had cruise control on and then all of a sudden my Rpms shot through the roof and then a flashing check engine light showed up and a message that said “acceleration reduced drive with care” when I took it to the dealer they told me it was due to the side object detection system malfunctioned and caused that issue then today I felt the car idle weird so I hooked up a scanner and it’s got a misfire on cylinder 2 and 4
NHTSA complaint #11743018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My car only has 60,000 miles and it shifts hard. Also my drivers seat belt has issues latching
NHTSA complaint #11742225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Engine and Transission System Fuel Management system, How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle it would just shut off, when you tried to restart vehicle it would not start all you could smell was gas. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This happened on 3 different occasions by 3 different Chevorlet dearerships. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? ONSTAR provided the diagnostic codes to provide to the dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Their were no lights or warnings, only after it turned off we would receive a reduced engine power notice on the dash but no warning lights.
NHTSA complaint #11741897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the automatic engine Start/Stop system engaged, and the vehicle shut off completely. The message "Please Hit The Start Button Again" was displayed, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact press the start button, but the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the gear shifter was stuck in park(P), forcing the tow agency to drag the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,900.
NHTSA complaint #11741483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.