The most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have to do with its engine, powertrain, and windshield wipers. These issues can result in rapid oil depletion, sudden vehicle shutdowns, and decreased visibility in inclement weather.

The subcompact crossover Chevy Equinox may be small, but it’s tragically big on repairs. Although the Equinox got near-perfect IIHS and

NHTSA safety ratings

, consumer reviews and real-life experiences say otherwise.

So what are the problems of the Equinox?

Jerry

, the

car insurance

app, is here to take you through the most common problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, its reliability ratings, and the best way you can lower your

Chevrolet Equinox LS insurance cost

if you (unfortunately) drive one. Let’s get into it.

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The most common 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Brace yourself: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received 720 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Most of the complaints are concerning the engine, powertrain, electrical system, and visibility. In addition, General Motors has issued a total of 3 recalls from 2010-2016, which address ignition, driver’s seat, and seat belt issues.

As recently as October 3, 2022, drivers have been experiencing engine problems. Many Equinox owners notice how quickly it consumes oil, with some needing an oil change after 1000 miles or less. The lack of oil results in vehicles stalling,

vibrating or shaking

, and even shutting down on the road.

The oil depletion problem is compounded by the fact that warning lights do not activate at the appropriate times. Drivers have been stranded on roads and have had their vehicles unexpectedly shut down because of the lack of warning. Others experienced faulty seat belt lights that would turn on even when passengers had seat belts secured. While this issue is more of a nuisance, it lends itself to more electrical problems.

Another significant issue is lack of visibility due to malfunctioning windshield wipers. Multiple drivers have had wipers stop working in the middle of rainy conditions, leaving them in a hazardous situation where they had to pull over to the side of busy roads, including highways.

Unfortunately, there have been no recalls that have addressed these common problems. Instead, there have been three recalls related to other issues:

Key can be removed when not in park. Some 2010-2013 models have an issue with the electronic park lock lever that allows drivers to remove the ignition key even when the vehicle isn’t in park, which can cause vehicles to roll away.

Seat height adjuster bolt may fall out. The bolt that keeps the seat height secured may fall out while the car is in operation, causing the seat height to suddenly drop to the lowest setting. This results in the driver’s loss of handling and an increased risk of an accident.

Seat belt buckle anchors may separate. The front seat buckle anchors may not fully secure the front seat passengers in the event of a crash.

MORE:

Chevrolet common problems

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Not exactly. Despite a mountainous amount of complaints about the 2011 Equinox, expert websites and online reviewers seem to have differing ratings.

The marketing firm that specializes in auto reviews, J.D. Power, gives the Equinox a 79/100 quality and reliability rating, ranking it #3 in the 2011 compact SUVs category. Drivers noted that the Equinox excelled at driving smoothly, having a quiet and spacious cabin for all passengers. However, they confirm the most common problems of slow acceleration and forward visibility of the Equinox.

RepairPal, on the other hand, gives a rating that is more in line with the Equinox’s numerous complaints: 3.5/5 for reliability and a rank of 23 out of 26 in the compact SUV segment. Two complaints point to the StabiliTrak wheel sensor (the traction control system) having to be replaced earlier than expected.

If you decide to buy a used Equinox, expect to pay an above-average

car repair

cost of $600 a year for your Equinox. You’ll also have to keep in mind that aging components will require you to have a more frequent

car maintenance schedule

MORE:

Are Chevrolets expensive to maintain?

How to simplify car insurance shopping (and still optimize coverage!)

With a car as unreliable as the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, you’ll be rolling up to your mechanic more times than you’d like. That also means too much money out of your pocket. To mitigate the expenses, you’ll need to lower your

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. But how? With

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