Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought my 2011 Equinox new then in 2013 the gas pedal went to the floor and stuck down on a two lane road and I could not control the speed as we react 90 I shut down the vechical took it to the dealership the next day the chevolet co had the dealership dump the on board computer and then down load a new program this worked until the other day we were coming home from taking another couple to there dentist appointments on the way home the gas pedal sucked right to the floor again the speed rose to the 90 we were on a four lane I had cars behinde me but not in front i keep trying to get the foot up i was afraid if i shut it offf we would get rear ended every one was scared i told them what was going on as the speeds keeped increasing trying to hit the brakes to slow some down and taping on the gas pedal i tried prying the pedal up with my foot and after the third attemp it poped up. …
To whom it may concern: I am writing to notify you that I own a 2011 Chevy Equinox and take very good care of my vehicles. But I wanted to let you know that I have had three incidents in which the gas pedal sticks, and the vehicle goes up to 95 miles an hour. I have contacted the dealership and GM to let them know of this. They cannot explain why this is happening. GM just said trade it in. Well, that's a possibility and who says if the next person purchases it that this could happen to them. So far, we have been able to avoid an accident. I am wondering if anyone else has had this complaint because GM says no., I feel it has something to do with the cruise control that it has a computer glitz. Can you investigate this if anyone else has had this problem.
Engine Check Light On took in for diagnostic and was told nothing was wrong just over heated. Taken in multiple times. Finally on February 10, 2022 a visual inspection of leak was done to find rear main seal blew out and leaking oil! At which point it was recommended replacing engine. Through a search on 2011 Chevrolet Equinox it was found to be a common problem for this model. Also mentioned was transmission issues with jerky or slippage in gears in Automatic/Manual transmissions combination types! Plus having trouble with speed control revving up, going up and down hills as concerning with gas pedal sticking!
My car was purchased used at a Chevrolet dealership. I noticed right away that the carjerks when I accelerate, it also stalls when trying to accelerate when making a turn which cam cause an accident. The vehicle revs and slowly moves and then takes off. Its a dragging motion when driving its very slow. The steering wheel locks when turning as if I need power steering fluid. This car is a hazard, waiting to happen. When starting it, it makes this loud humming noise. I just had it inspected and the mechanic said the car was fine, but driving it is a different story.
three times now my gas pedal has stuck down to the floor and had unsafe speeds reaching 95mph this is unsafe for us and others on the road wrote GM several times now with no help from them this needs to be checked out for everyone out there how many wrecks and rear end collision happened because of this acceleration issue mine seem to happen when you take it off cruise control and then accelerate the gas pedal but he dealerships can't find an answer I am asking for your help before someone get killed because no one wants to take action
I was in city streets going 30 MPH at most, 19 degrees in minnesota and it shows reduced engine power and stabiltrack off as traction control light comes on and check engine light is on. The engine starts shaking violently and I pull over, restart it and it goes for a few blocks and then the same warnings come on (engine light has gone off and on intermittently for a few months with no issues.) as mentioned, speed reduction was stated on screen and I drive slowly and was only able to accelerate slowly. I just went through a Chevrolet forum and see that I'm not the only one who's had these same issues and lights and warnings pop up on the screen. Luckily I was not on a highway or under any other scarier conditions and was close to home. …
Timing belt failed within two years of the first time being fixed. First time was when vehicle was purchased used at approx 123K, second time it has failed is approx 179K. There is an ongoing oil consumption issue with the vehicle. I have heard that there is a recall on the oil issue that was not publically announced and I would like to find out why it wasnt if in fact this is an issue. Timing belt should not fail twice . Took vehicle in to shop after vehicle began shaking violently and jumping while stopped at a light, in drive with the breaks on. When I went to drive, vechicle would drive but had severe loss in poer and was vibrating the whole time. Upon taking to the shop and having an engine diagnostic test done, it was confirmed that the timing chain was indeed stretched out and would need to be repaired at a cost of $2500. …
In the middle of accelerating out of a parking lot into two way traffic,vehicle was in drive and in motion, the vehicle quit accelerating to a stop and acted as though it was in neutral even though it was in drive. No engine revving sound (engine sounded "normal") when accelerator was pushed (to the floor), and vehicle began to roll backwards (due to slope nature of parking lot) even though the vehicle was in drive. I put the vehicle in park, hoping it would "reset" , then put back into drive with no forward motion or engine revving when accelerator was pressed. I then put the vehicle back into park and turned off the engine. After restarting the vehicle I was able to appropriately accelerate the vehicle in drive.
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 !
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred on multiple occasions. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle accelerated and immediately stopped responding in the middle of an intersection. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle jerked and began to accelerate. After that incident, the vehicle would no longer reverse or shift from third to fourth gear. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Acceleration complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 6% of the model year's 782 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Equinox acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Equinox acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.