2011 Chevrolet Equinox Steering Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  822%
• 25k–50k
  719%
• 50k–75k
  411%
• 75k–100k
  924%
• 100k–150k
  719%
• 150k+
  25%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed a small amount of fluid within the engine compartment. The dealer later determined that the fluid was power steering fluid. However, the dealer was unable to determine the exact location of the leak. The contact was advised to continue driving the vehicle for 1 week then return for a follow-up inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure started out intermittently and had gradually over the years became a reoccurring failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving in a parking lot, the steering became difficult to turn. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and the steering wheel started to operate as designed. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE20009 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

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.

Sometimes the past 2 half years the power steering goes out, a few years ago i took it to a dealer they did not find anything but its dangerous. I just seen on like that you all have a recall for it but its not showing on my VIN number,

Upon driving my car to work with my two kids in the car, my car suddenly lost power without warning, the dashboard lit up "engine power reduced" as well as stabilitrac and traction control. The car would not accelerate to more than 20mph and then died on me. I contacted GM, received a claim number and they never called me back as promised. I was able to restart the car and continue on my way in fear for the safety of myself and my children. As a result of this, I told my husband I was not comfortable driving this unsafe vehicle with our kids in the car and we would trade cars until the problem was resolved. The following morning my husband was driving the Equinox to work and it happened to him, "engine power reduced" loss of stabilitrac/ traction control. …

Traveling straight on city street, 30 MPH, was t-boned in center of driver's side door. Side airbag did not deploy? Damage to both doors, center and lower pillar, and the traction control bar bent. Concussion and bruising from inside pillar to driver. Driver was wearing seat belt at time of collision

I was driving on a four lane street with two lanes going south with a median in the middle and two lanes going north. I was in the left hand lane going south towards 1-70 and was going around a slight corner towards the left and tried to straighten out my wheel and my wheel was stuck turning left. I tried again to get my wheel to straighten out, and it was stuck. I slammed on my brakes, but it was too late and went over the median separating the 4 way lanes. I hit a large street signs and multiple reflectors on the median. Upon impact multiple check engine lights appeared and wheel was finally able to make a turn to right to get to side of the road. My car is not even 2 months old and was a brand new 2011 Equinox. …

I was driving with my 7 year old son and 15 year old nephew on a 35 MPH busy street when all of a sudden my vehicle started shaking and the steering wheel and brake pedal lock on me I couldn't move the luckily there was no car coming at the moment, and I was able to turn off the vehicle and turn it back up. After that I it started up again and nothing seem to be wrong until the engine light turn on and I continued on my way, all of a sudden my on the dash board it said stability check/lost engine power and all of a sudden the engine shut off on me. I couldn't move to from lanes to avoid causing an accident luckily the vehicles on back of me notice my vehicle slowing down and they where able to miss hitting my vehicle. I really do want something done to fix this issue because I could of cause an accident with that sudden stop and all because of the engine powering off. …

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Equinox years