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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Chevrolet EquinoxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 783 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve engine (386) and power train (145). The EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–26mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2016
Owner complaints
783
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000

Seats: power adjust

Remedy pending

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V447000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Seat beltsReported Dec 15, 2010NHTSA 10V623000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

783 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2010 – Nov 2026
  1. Engine386
  2. Power train145
  3. Electrical system74
  4. Visibility/wiper70
  5. Fuel/propulsion system61
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)55
  7. Air bags52
  8. Vehicle speed control50
  9. Steering43

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005638
2006695
2007685
2008370
200994
2010784
2011783
2012685
2013751
2014549
2015680
2016399
2017276
2018410
2019310
2020318
2021100
2022182
202399
2024192
2025407
202679
20271
Crashes reported
30
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
41
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

386 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the engine was rattling and vibrating abnormally. During the failure, there was no warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not yet contacted. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11754526

Power train

145 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop the following day, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2023Power trainODI 11560643

Electrical system

74 reports5 crashes2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11746040
All 2011 Equinox problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,400342
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Equinox FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 557Vehicle 234
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Equinox questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

Owners filed 783 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (386), power train (145), electrical system (74). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox at 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026