This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Equinox cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 30,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Equinox | 15 |
| 2011 Equinox | 32 |
| 2012 Equinox | 9 |
| 2013 Equinox | 8 |
| 2014 Equinox (this page) | 10 |
| 2015 Equinox | 9 |
| 2016 Equinox | 7 |
| 2017 Equinox | 4 |
| 2018 Equinox | 7 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to Inspect harness, splice 6 wire pigtail connector. Replace Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor on vehices that have the condition of Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) ON, Reduced Power Mode and DTCs
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the customer the specification for speedometer needle accuracy is +/- 2 MPH at any given speed when looking straight at the needle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Car and Truck Fix it Right the First Time Issues
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of drivability hazards. The most alarming reports involve unintended acceleration—vehicle revs and accelerates without driver input on the pedal, sometimes showing engine speed (130 MPH on tach) that doesn't match actual vehicle motion, and brakes won't slow it down. One owner collided with an 18-wheeler while stopped; others pulled off highways to turn off the ignition for control. Stalling during acceleration from traffic stops or at highway speeds was reported by multiple owners, with one stating he's spent over $2000 on repairs without fixing it.
Cruise control engagement causes excessive engine revving with no transmission engagement. Check Engine codes (P0016, P0017, P0089, P228D) related to timing and fuel system recur within a year or 50,000 miles even after replacing sensors, solenoids, and timing kits.
Multiple owners describe symptoms of timing chain slipping—poor drivability, erratic idle, unexpected stalling, exhaust odors in the cabin, and extreme oil consumption. One owner documented less than 2.5 quarts between 5000-mile intervals with no visible leaks. Owners note dealerships sometimes refuse to diagnose without active codes.
Same Chevrolet Equinox cruise control reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended engine acceleration / loss of throttle control
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input on the accelerator pedal, sometimes reaching engine speeds that do not match actual vehicle speed. Engine will not decelerate with brakes applied; owners report needing to turn off the ignition to regain control. Occurs at highway and city speeds without warning.
When: Reported between 2500 and 73,974 miles; one instance occurred within 2.5 months of purchase at 2500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: sudden acceleration without foot on gas pedal; engine rev from 2 RPM to 4 RPM without driver input; engine speed reaches 130 MPH on tachometer while vehicle does not accelerate; vehicle will not respond to brake pressure; ignition must be turned off to regain control; occurs multiple times on different dates and speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported dealership cannot duplicate issue and will not repair under extended warranty; another owner did not seek dealership diagnosis
Reduced Engine Power / power loss under acceleration
Vehicle loses power during acceleration or normal driving, accompanied by warning lights (Reduced Engine Power, ABS, Stabilitrak). Owners report difficulty merging or pulling into traffic, creating a hazard. One instance caused a collision with an 18-wheeler; another occurred at 2500 miles on a busy road.
When: Reported at 2500 miles and other unspecified mileages
Symptoms owners cite: loss of acceleration power during highway driving; Reduced Engine Power warning message; ABS and Stabilitrak warning lights illuminated; vehicle hesitation when accelerating; stalling when attempting to accelerate from stop
Repairs/costs cited: One owner spent over $2000 on repairs; another owner's dealership performed no diagnostics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged high oil consumption causing similar issues; requires oil consumption test over multiple dealership visits
Engine stalling on acceleration
Vehicle stalls when accelerating, particularly when first started or when pulling into traffic from a stop. Creates safety hazard in traffic. One owner reports spending over $2000 on repeated repairs without resolution and refuses to let family members drive the vehicle.
When: Early in operation; one owner reported multiple visits to dealer
Symptoms owners cite: stalling when accelerating; stalling when first started; stalling when pulling out into traffic; happens after brakes are released
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent over $2000 on multiple repair attempts with no permanent fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has identified high oil consumption as causing similar issues; requires extended oil consumption test protocol
Cruise control malfunction with engine rev
When cruise control is engaged, engine revs up excessively and transmission fails to engage properly. Vehicle does not accelerate despite high engine revs. Occurs at low speeds on typical cruise control usage.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: engine revs when cruise control engaged; transmission does not engage during cruise control operation; vehicle does not accelerate despite revving; occurs at around 30 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated without codes present they could not diagnose
Check Engine codes related to timing and fuel system (P0016, P0017, P0089, P228D)
Multiple diagnostic trouble codes appear: P0016 (crankshaft/camshaft position timing), P0017 (variable timing position), P0089 (fuel pressure control), and P228D (fuel pressure). Codes trigger Reduce Speed and Stabilitrak warnings. One owner reports replacing crankshaft position sensor and variable timing solenoid twice, along with timing kit, within one year. Codes recur within 50,000 miles.
When: Within 1-2 years of ownership; recur within 50,000 miles of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Reduce Speed warning when codes appear; Stabilitrak warning triggered by codes; codes reappear after repair; almost caused wreck due to warning sequence
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, P0089, P228D
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft position sensor replaced twice; Variable Timing Solenoid replaced; timing kit replaced within first year of ownership
Timing chain slipping / engine performance degradation
Vehicle exhibits symptoms consistent with loose or slipping timing chain in 2.4L engine. Multiple owners report progressive deterioration of drive quality, erratic idle, stalling, and heavy fuel consumption. Exhaust fumes enter cabin. High oil consumption noted by multiple owners.
When: Progressive over ownership; high oil consumption detected at 5000-mile service intervals
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle drives poorly; unexpected stalling; exhaust fumes entering cabin; erratic idle; extreme fuel consumption; extreme oil consumption (less than 2.5 quarts remaining between 5000-mile intervals); no oil leaks present
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain repair is described as expensive; one owner had fresh timing kit installed within first year that required repair again
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 25,000 and 73,974 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 73,974. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.