Was driving about an hr check engine light came on reduced engine power came across screen could not get the car to drive even with gas pedal pushed all the way to the floor ran test code came up throttle body had to disconnect and reconnect battery to make of work again. Cleaned throttle body found that the exhaust manifold broke in half and melted one 02 censor. Never had problem again til…
2011 Chevrolet Equinox powertrain problems
moderate 135 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
135
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 135 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 135 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 21 model years of Chevrolet Equinox in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My 2011 Chevy equinox 4 cylinder shifts horribly between 2nd and 3rd. If you accelerate to approx. 20 MPH and remove your foot from the gas the transmission hesitates and then it shifts to 3rd gear with a jolt that would make you think you were hit from behind. When it down shifts from 3rd to 2nd it is like an anchor was thrown out the back. Returned it to a Chevy dealer who was able to duplicate…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and an abnormal clicking noise was heard. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to 1ownercar (410 w oak ln, glenolden, pa 19036, (610) 915-3417) where it was diagnosed that the battery was dead. The contact mentioned that the alternator, starter, and battery were…
Pcv system freezes causing the low power mode (limp mode) and check engine light to come on. Its a known issue, and gm covered it on a few cars. Next time I may be in heavy traffic.
Transmission went out
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 135 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 108 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,750 and 102,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,750; a quarter make it past 102,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.