2011 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 74 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 9% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,500 miles.

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles14 · 25%
10k–25k miles1 · 2%
25k–50k miles9 · 16%
50k–75k miles7 · 13%
75k–100k miles9 · 16%
100k–150k miles12 · 22%
150k+ miles3 · 5%

How serious are the reports?

Of 74 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.

Chevrolet Equinox electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 159 complaints
2005: 15920051592006: 1412007: 10220072008: 652009: 2320092010: 812011: 7420112012: 702013: 6920132014: 462015: 4520152016: 242017: 1920172018: 612019: 4420192020: 422021: 1820212022: 222023: 1220232024: 172025: 7820252026: 12

n = 1,224 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Equinox1216%5,900
2025 Equinox7833%4,333
2024 Equinox1721%16,989
2023 Equinox1212%5,161
2022 Equinox2212%—
2021 Equinox1818%55,000
2020 Equinox4213%4,857
2019 Equinox4414%8,500
2018 Equinox6115%36,955
2017 Equinox197%61,500
2016 Equinox246%30,000
2015 Equinox457%38,929
2014 Equinox468%63,556
2013 Equinox699%35,264
2012 Equinox7010%65,000
2011 Equinox749%60,500
2010 Equinox8110%59,000
2009 Equinox2324%85,600
2008 Equinox6518%75,000
2007 Equinox10215%62,000
2006 Equinox14120%81,300
2005 Equinox15925%67,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2011, with 9 complaints
2011: 9201192012: 222013: 3201332014: 992015: 7201572016: 882017: 6201762018: 442019: 9201992020: 332021: 2202122022: 112023: 6202362024: 112025: 3202532026: 11

n = 74 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Jul 5, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000.

Received Jun 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746040

While driving, the car wouldn't accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal to the floor. It made funny noises and was jerking. I was told not to drive because of the danger to my engine. The engine light did come on

Received Sep 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11688729

I bought this off of a private person ,shortly after it started not taken its gas and dying out on the highway or short errands ,i started putting a bunch of money in it ive replaced all i know to do and it still wont takes its gas ,i have been stalled in an intersection before because i had no…

Received Jun 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11668009
Chevrolet Equinox
A 2025 Chevrolet Equinox photographed in Flushing, Queens , New York, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2011 Chevrolet Equinoxs have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 74 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox (9% of the 782 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox electrical system?

Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 60,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

Other 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems

See all 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems or electrical system problems across all Equinox years.