Chevrolet Equinox Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,093 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chevrolet Equinox across 22 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (182). The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (7% of reports).
- 1,093power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 24mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $4,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 73 of 1,093 complaints (7%)
- Timing chain: mentioned in 62 of 1,093 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Chevrolet Equinox at $4,150, and half of them between $2,100 and $5,750.
Based on 45 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 710 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,093 complaints, 24 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 16 an injury.
Chevrolet Equinox power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Equinox | 16 | 22% | 5,900 |
| 2025 Equinox | 35 | 15% | 5,700 |
| 2024 Equinox | 11 | 14% | — |
| 2023 Equinox | 5 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Equinox | 12 | 7% | — |
| 2021 Equinox | 17 | 17% | 64,500 |
| 2020 Equinox | 40 | 13% | 7,600 |
| 2019 Equinox | 37 | 12% | 15,100 |
| 2018 Equinox | 66 | 16% | 20,074 |
| 2017 Equinox | 32 | 12% | 55,831 |
| 2016 Equinox | 26 | 7% | 61,000 |
| 2015 Equinox | 63 | 9% | 80,674 |
| 2014 Equinox | 40 | 7% | 75,000 |
| 2013 Equinox | 80 | 11% | 84,000 |
| 2012 Equinox | 84 | 12% | 75,341 |
| 2011 Equinox | 145 | 19% | 76,000 |
| 2010 Equinox | 182 | 23% | 83,500 |
| 2009 Equinox | 10 | 11% | 107,500 |
| 2008 Equinox | 16 | 4% | 91,000 |
| 2007 Equinox | 31 | 5% | 46,000 |
| 2006 Equinox | 31 | 4% | 55,788 |
| 2005 Equinox | 114 | 18% | 61,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Model years: 2022
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direction.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242471620.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, 'theft protection.' an ignition key park lock cable end fitting was not fully seated on the automatic transmission shifter nail head during installation.
Risk: This can prevent the cable auto-set from correctly adjusting the cable. An incorrectly adjusted cable prevents the shifter from locking in the 'park' position when the key is removed from the key cylinder.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for a properly functioning shift lock when the ignition key is removed. Dealers will repair vehicles that exhibit the subject condition. The recall began august 17, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vacuum Pump failed, Camshaft is broken. When vacuum pump failed there were no brakes and no warning. Almost flew off a bridge.
Fuel pump control module.Crank no start. Service engine soon light. U18A2 code sent to Onstar. Inspected and confirmed by dealer. Vehicle is currently sitting at dealer that I purchased it from and out of service until repaired.
Electric Drive Unit and 12V battery have failed 3 times in less than 6 months. The vehicle will not shift into drive, reverse, or neutral. It is stalled/stuck and can't be driven.
Once reaching around 50,000-60,000 miles, I began to experience a tremble/shudder sensation when driving between 35-45mph and the vehicle would appear to be on either 2nd or 3rd gear (usually under stress going up a hill). Mentioned to 2 different dealers but denied it being the transmission, both…
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate before lurching forward. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving 60-70…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Equinoxs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,093 owner complaints about power train for the Chevrolet Equinox. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Equinox power train?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,150 (half paid between $2,100 and $5,750), from 45 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Chevrolet Equinox?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 73 of 1,093 complaints, followed by “timing chain” (62).
Other Chevrolet Equinox problems
- Engine problems (2,840)
- Electrical System problems (1,224)
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,114)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (832)
- Air Bags problems (630)
- Service Brakes problems (612)
- Steering problems (466)
- Visibility problems (444)
See all Chevrolet Equinox problems.