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).
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. …
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. …
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. …
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, [phone], 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.
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 3% of the model year's 782 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries to brakes 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.