COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Chevrolet Equinox transmission problems

68 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

4 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

68 reports
2005 model year · 68,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN THE ON POSITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SHE MENTIONED THE DEFECT TO THE MECHANIC, AND THEY INFORMED SHE SHOULD CHECK FOR RECALLS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN THE ON POSITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SHE MENTIONED THE DEFECT TO THE MECHANIC, AND THEY INFORMED SHE SHOULD CHECK FOR RECALLS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V302000) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,776.

NHTSA ODI #10236552

2005 model year · 31,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

PROBLEMS WITH CAR BEGAN IMMEDIATELY (TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONER, ODOMETER, WINDOW MOTOR, CAR SHIFTING ABRUPTLY, AND SKIDDING ON ANY WET SERVICE.) FINALLY WENT INTO 20 FT SKID, WHEELS LOCKED, NO RESPONSE TO STEERING. CAR HIT POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. CAR TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231230

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

17 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, ROTORS, BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION, CLICKING/OTHER SOUND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT FIXED AS OF YET BY GM, BROKEN DOOR HINGE, BROKEN LICENSE PLATE BOLT RECEIVERS, STARTER, SEAT BELT CLIP, AIR CONDITIONER, REMOTES, NOISES IN FRONT END, ENGINE MISS, CLUNKING WHEN WHEELS SPU…

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17 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, ROTORS, BEARINGS, TRANSMISSION, CLICKING/OTHER SOUND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT FIXED AS OF YET BY GM, BROKEN DOOR HINGE, BROKEN LICENSE PLATE BOLT RECEIVERS, STARTER, SEAT BELT CLIP, AIR CONDITIONER, REMOTES, NOISES IN FRONT END, ENGINE MISS, CLUNKING WHEN WHEELS SPUN ON WET PAVEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231081

2005 model year · 2,400 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKES FAILED AND WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKES FAILED AND WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WANTS TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN ARBITRATION. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER, BUT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY SPEAKING TO SOMEONE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

NHTSA ODI #10222972

2005 model year · 32,000 miles · Feb 16, 2008
Air BagsEquipmentPower TrainCrashInjury

NUMEROUS FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THE A/C AND TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST 100 MILES. THE POWER WINDOW FAILED. TRANSM. SHIFTED ON CURVES AND WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE ALL CONTROL OF CAR. COMPLAINED THAT HAD NO WHEEL DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW. WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS OR SKID. ,NOW HEAD-ON INTO PHONE POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEA…

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NUMEROUS FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THE A/C AND TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST 100 MILES. THE POWER WINDOW FAILED. TRANSM. SHIFTED ON CURVES AND WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE ALL CONTROL OF CAR. COMPLAINED THAT HAD NO WHEEL DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW. WOULD JUMP SIDEWAYS OR SKID. ,NOW HEAD-ON INTO PHONE POLE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218190

2007 model year · 13,000 miles · Nov 14, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I HAD 2 CHEVY EQUINOX 2007 MODEL, LOADED. FIRST VEHICLE REPURCHASED DUE TO MULTIPLE EPISODES OF STABILITRAK FAILURE, TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING, RADIO PROBLEMS, PASSENGER SYSTEM AIRBAG NOT WORKING, AND FINALLY FAILURE OF MAIN AIRBAG SYSTEM. GIVEN EXACT TWIN OF FIRST CAR, AS THOUGHT THAT CAR WAS JUST A LEMON. 2ND EQUINOX HAD 2 EP…

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I HAD 2 CHEVY EQUINOX 2007 MODEL, LOADED. FIRST VEHICLE REPURCHASED DUE TO MULTIPLE EPISODES OF STABILITRAK FAILURE, TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING, RADIO PROBLEMS, PASSENGER SYSTEM AIRBAG NOT WORKING, AND FINALLY FAILURE OF MAIN AIRBAG SYSTEM. GIVEN EXACT TWIN OF FIRST CAR, AS THOUGHT THAT CAR WAS JUST A LEMON. 2ND EQUINOX HAD 2 EPISODES OF STABILITRAK FAILURE, AND A NEW STEERING COLUMN PLACED, AND THEN HAD TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE OF THE STEERING, BRAKES, GAS, STABILITRAK, AND AIRBAG SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THESE SYSTEMS! YOU COULD TURN MY STEERING WHEEL 360 DEGREES, AND THE WHEELS NEVER MOVED, THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, THE GAS DIDN'T WORK, AND ALL ALARMS WERE GOING OFF THAT THE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT WORKING. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AS I HAD JUST BEGUN MAKING A TURN INTO ROADWAY AND ALL VEHICLES COMING AT ME BOTH WAYS WERE ABLE TO SWERVE, AND THE CAR WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH AND OVER A SLIGHT INCLINE THAT IT ROLLED TO A STOP JUST BEFORE HITTING A STEEL LIGHT POST. THIS CAR WAS ALSO REPURCHASED. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG IN THE ENGINEERING OF THIS VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERNED FOR ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE OWNING/DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208912

2005 model year · 22,481 miles · Sep 26, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Air

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 AWD CHEVY EQUINOX, INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING, LOSING ACCELERATION ON THE 270/HIGHWAY, ONGOING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH STILL CONTINUE. I HAVE BEGGED FOR CHEVY TO HELP GET THE CAR FULLY REPAIRED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES JUST KEEP TELLING ME…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 AWD CHEVY EQUINOX, INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING, LOSING ACCELERATION ON THE 270/HIGHWAY, ONGOING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH STILL CONTINUE. I HAVE BEGGED FOR CHEVY TO HELP GET THE CAR FULLY REPAIRED AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES JUST KEEP TELLING ME TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER. I'VE TRIED TWO DEALERS AND RETURNED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER WHO WILL ONLY MAKE REPAIRS IF THEY CAN PULL A CODE - THEY REPORT I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SPARK PLUG WIRES - FIRST THEY REATTACHED IT, AND THEN REPLACED ONE BUT CAR STILL DOESN'T DRIVE AS IT DID BEFORE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME - I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS AND THE DEALER AND CHEVY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY - CAR WARRANTY ENDS IN 6 MONTHS OR HELP REPAIR PROPERLY. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AS THEY DON'T TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY AS THE ONLY WAY THEY DIAGNOSE IS BY PULLING CODES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204221

2007 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2007
Power TrainSteering

2007 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE STARTED BUCKING WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. SHE STATED THE ENGINE AND STABILITRAK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *KB NOT LONG AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE REPEATED T…

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2007 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE STARTED BUCKING WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING GEARS. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. SHE STATED THE ENGINE AND STABILITRAK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *KB NOT LONG AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE REPEATED THE SAME NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204885

2006 model year · 7,056 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH PROMPTS THE RPM TO DOWNSHIFT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH PROMPTS THE RPM TO DOWNSHIFT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR 21 DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500. THE CONSUMER STATED QUESTIONS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOWNSHIFTS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 7,035 AND 10MPH. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198847

2005 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2007
Power Train

VEHICLE(2005 EQUINOX) ALWAYS DOWNSHIFTS FROM OVERDRIVE WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SPEED FORWARD REQUIRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197206

Related Official recalls

3

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

04V302000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 30, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' AN IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE END FITTING WAS NOT FULLY SEATED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER NAIL HEAD DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE CABLE AUTO-SET FROM CORRECTLY ADJUSTING THE CABLE. AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED CABLE PREVENTS THE SHIFTER FROM LOCKING IN THE 'PARK' POSITION WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE KEY CYLINDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SHIFT LOCK WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED. DEALERS WILL REPAIR VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SUBJECT CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.