Problems · by component

2019 Chevrolet Equinox power train problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox cite power train, 12% of all 310 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
37
12% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 MPH and decelerated to 10 MPH. The engine revved while stopped at a red light, and the RPM was at HIGH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on six occasions for the recurring failure. The contact stated that DTC: P0401 and P0521 were retrieved and cleared after securing the air box cover after the first failure. The second time, the EGR housing was clogged with carbon, and the oil sensor failed internally and was replaced. The third time, the wiring harness and unknown sensors were replaced. The fourth time, an unknown sensor and module were replaced. The fifth time, the dealer replaced the transmission with a used transmission, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, and it was determined that the driver's side CV axle seal, NOx sensor 1, MAF sensor, passenger…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11766711
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated the failure reoccurred. The transmission failed to shift out of first gear, and the RPM was elevated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Power trainODI 11757448
“The transmission system failed abruptly. I pulled away from a stoplight, had accelerated to 20-25 mph, and then the car came to a sudden stop, as if someone had put on an emergency brake. It continued to act as if the brake was on when I tried to go forward or reverse. I put it into neutral so that I could push it off the road. I realized it would drive slowly in neutral, so I drove it less than a mile back to my workplace. Regarding safety, I nearly got rear-ended when the car stopped suddenly. This endangered me and the other driver. I was headed to the freeway, then would have been crossing a bridge, to get home, so the danger could have been amplified. The dealership's service manager told me that something internally had failed in the transmission. As far as I know they haven't taken it apart to find out what internally failed. They told me that the transmission needed to be replaced. As far as I know, no one has inspected the internal components of the transmission. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to this incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2026Power trainODI 11736777
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled, and the vehicle was nearly rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately made a turn into the nearby independent mechanic shop parking lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven by the independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2025Power trainODI 11677464
“On Sunday, [XXX] (a very hot day in Michigan. My vehicle registered 100 degrees) I was driving on [XXX] about 70-73 mph when I got an alert that said (to the best of my recollection) TOO HOT - IDLE IMMEDIATELY! and there was a continuous high pitch beeping which I only heard after turning off the radio. I continued at highway speed for a good 2-3 miles to the next exit afraid at any minute my car would start smoking. I exited and had to stop at a red light before turning left into a Kroger plaza with a fuel station. When the light turned green I accelerated and a grinding sound came from my car. I pulled into the plaza and turned the car off but had to turn it back on in about a minute as it was too hot to sit in car without air conditioning. It started and idled just fine. I googled roadside service and got a nice fellow (on a SUNDAY!) and he arrived in about 40 minutes. He towed me 40 miles away to a recommended auto shop that on Monday told me it was my transmission cooler that was defective and that I needed a transmission shop for a new transmission. It was then towed another 20 minutes away where it stayed for 9 days. Cost: $6564.48 plus $150 for paying…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2025Power trainODI 11671331
“Symptoms were poor gas mileage, highly rough idle (especially in DRIVE, while at a stop), lag in acceleration as well as delayed response to gas pedal depression, struggled take off from an incline while utilizing AC on high output. Diagnosed by a code reader with confirmation by a trusted mechanic that the transmission is malfunctioning. Mechanic indicates the need to seek a shop specializing in transmissions because this entails disassembly of drain pan and plug to find issue either with fluid seal or the start/stop assembly in relation to the transmission. Issues began approximately 6 months ago, as I have been trying to deduce the issue by process of elimination by way of services and mileage recommendation. All professional involved indicate that a Chevy at this mileage and age do not typically display concerns related to the transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2025Power trainODI 11663850

Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 29, 2020NHTSA 20V668000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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