Used 2011 Chevrolet Equinox Consumer Reviews
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2011 Equinox Update
We've owned our Equinox for about 4 months now and have 4000 miles on it. The longer we own it, the more we like it. We test drove many other vehicles but just kept coming back to the style, room and comfort of the Chevy. We're big Honda fans so the CR-V was the leading candidate going in but did not compare well at all to the Chevy in style, room, interior features or design. The Honda seemed very cheaply built compared to the Equinox. Everyone should at least give the Equinox a good look while shopping for their next crossover. features and design many other vehicles and just kept coming back to the style, room and comfort of the Chevy
Gas Mileage and 4 cylinder engine performance
I traded a 350 hp hemi dodge truck on the 180 hp AWD LT2 Equinox. While there there is a big difference in engine performance between the two vehicles, the Equinox 4 banger is still quite peppy. I read that others have said the car is slow from a dead start and that is true unless you really give the throttle a good mash. More throttle produces much more response. My biggest gripe is that 3,780 lb, 180 hp engine is averaging only 21.5 mpg. The 6,000+ lb, 350 hp hemi multidisplacement engine was not far behind this with 18-19 mpg. My wife's Jeep Liberty V6 averages more than the Equinox. Although fun to drive, I am disappointed in the gas mileage.
- LT2 4dr SUVMSRP: $3,695100 mi away
- LT2 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,000118 mi away
- LT2 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,620180 mi away
not getting 32 MPG
we purchased our Equinox LTZ LTZ Brownstone interior, white exterior five months ago . Looks great and has lots of features. However, after 4,800 miles we are only getting 21.7 mpg average. I should have believed others who purchased the Equinox and complained about the MPG. We even took the 4 cylinder to avoid less MPG. Boy, were we suckers. I probabaly should have gone with Hyundai. It's not a performance engine but its not too bad on 4 hour trips, again except MPG. if you're looking for good gas mileage look somewhere else.
Equinox MPG
I've seen several reviews by people saying they do not get any where near the advertised mpg but on my trip from Kazoo Michigan to Lexington Ky. and back we averaged just a shade under 30 mpg and the vehicle just rolled over 3,000 miles so I expect that it will improve the mpg as the miles roll up. Fun, quiet, comfortable ride on the trip. Wife drives 70+ and I drive 70.
Bummer MPG
I did a lot of research before I purchased my 2011 Equinox. I trusted the ratings, most notably the mpg as stated on Edmunds and USNews. I think I'm averaging around 22 mpg, when I anticipated much, much more!! The stated 32 mpg for highway driving was the deciding factor in my selection and, despite having taken a few road trips, I have not come close to that number. I thought this was maybe a mechanical problem until I read the other reviews. While I love the vehicle, I have been majorly disappointed in the gas mileage.
Poor pick up on 4Cyl but what do you expect when it has a 5k pound vehicle to carry!
I purchased my 2011 Equinox May 25. So far, I LOVE IT! **I'm knocking on wood through this whole post too** I bought a black one with the cloth interior. I already have put 3k miles on it. 2 weeks after I bought the car we went on vacation to Hilton Head SC from Ohio. roughly 690 miles each way. I filled the tank 2 times but it only took us a tank and a half (if even) to get all the way there! On the way back I filled it one and a half times and was still on the second tank for almost a week! I think you just have to break the car in to get the gas mileage expected. Down there we avr. 27mpg (lots of mnts) and on the way back i was up to 31mpg. Pick up is stalled, But its 4cyl wat do u expect
So far, So good!
I purchased this vehicle a couple of weeks ago. Prior to buying this car, I owned a 10 year old truck that got 15 mpg on the highway. My first week of driving was mainly around town showing people my new car. Gas mileage was just ok at around 21 mpg. I was hoping for better. I finally got to do a road trip (Around 150 miles) and I got 27.7 mpg on the highway. On the return home trip I got 28.5 mpg. I really notice a difference in gas mileage when driving 65 vs 75. If you drive this car between 65 and 70 on the highway you will get better than 25 mpg. If you are constantly on the gas, you will get closer to 20.
What you see, it what you get!
Love, Love , Love this car! Every inch is perfection! Buy it, drive it, love it!
As Advertised 2nd report
Returned from my 2nd 740 mile round trip to Rochester, MN and and am happy to report that this time I averaged 32.3 mpg on the highway. I did not drive over 65 miles per hour even though in MN the speed limit is 70. On the way home I averaged 29 mpg but attribute it the very high winds all the way home. Very happy with the Equinox.
MPG not like advertised
I got the load down LTZ with the DVD and Nav. I love all the features! My only complain is the horrible gas mileage. I drive both city and hwy daily and I average 21.5 MPG. That is not even what they advertise for city and no where close to the 32 Hwy. I was hoping to average about 28 since thats what I averaged with my old Lexus with similar specs. I was told to let the engine get broke in first before I said anything but Im at 11,500 miles and it never got better. Other than that its a great car!
poor mileage and runs poorly
The car ran great when new, now has 4500 miles on it and it starts to shake/missing when it lugs down in gear. Dealer said nothing was wrong so taking it to another dealer. This morning it made a grinding noise when I started it. Junk
noisy engine
my 2011 equinox obviously has an internal engine problem, this noisy engine history dates back to the early 2010"s and GM has first-hand knowledge because of all the complaints, and there is probably thousands. However, GM refuses to step-up and stand behind their warranty. I have engaged an attorney to resolve the matter. Therefore, I strongly suggest that any one in the market for a cross-over SUV to NOT PURCHASE the 4 cyl engine. It is TERRIBLE!!!!
MPG Not That Great and Transmission Failure
Purchased my 2011 Equinox in July. Less than 1100 miles and it broke down, long story short, they replaced the transmission. GM and especially my local dealer were good to deal with. I love/hate this car. The very early mechanical problems, make me nervous about the reliability. The car is really comfortable, handles nice, and works for my purposes. Gas mileage has been disappointing. I've not done a full tank road trip, but I've consistently gotten 25mpg. I'm hoping for better. I'm really aware of my driving, and try to be as conservative as possible. I don't drive over 70 MPG on the highway. If I'd driven my Vibe as conservatively, I'd have gotten 35 mpg. Wish I'd kept my Vibe!
Where is the fuel economy SUV?
I purchased my 2011 Equinox very mildly used in 2012. It has 20,000 miles on it and I think I see why someone traded it. The best gas mileage I have ever had with the car in eco, out of eco, with a light foot, with a lead foot is 23 mpg. My previous car was a Pontiac Montana which was getting almost identical mileage with a V6 and 3 more passenger seats. I love the body style of this car and the blue tooth, XM and backup camera but I have taken it back to the dealer twice already. Once for an air bag error and once for a check engine light. I purchased the extra warranty and boy am I glad I did. I sure would have looked at other brands had I known the gas mileage would be so bad.
Rust bucket to be
Test drove several Equinox-s. MOST suffered metal pitting rust through the lower door panels and wheel wells. Some rust is to be expected in this Chicagoland climate but such extensive rust on 5yr old cars is a serious concern. I didn't find a single one with no rust even if the rest of the vehicle was immaculate.
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Why pay that much for poor mileage...
Bought our 2011 Equinox in November 2010. Complained about the gas mileage from the start and could not get any answers. Now has over 15,000 miles and we drive all flat highway and still can not get over 25 mpg. Supposed to get up to 600 miles to the tank at it's best, but when we drive non-stop all flat highway and still can't get over 425 miles, it is very upsetting. Love the look of the car inside and out, but unfortunately the low mpg trumps all this and wish we would've gone with a different suv.
Good MPG
I recently traded a 2005 Buick Lacrosse CXS for an Equinox 2LT. Buick was a great car but struggled to get 28 MPG over 60 MPH. Looking for a little better gas mileage and interior room. We travel with friends a lot and my wife has restless leg so back seat room is imperative. The Equinox excels in seating comfort. We now have about 900 miles on the Chevy and took it for a road trip over the weekend. I averaged 31.4 MPG according to the computer. I have the 4 cylinder with the Eco switch. I made sure I used this setting on the trip. If this is to be the norm for this vehicle, we will have a long happy relationship.
7 payments down & 8 trips to the dealer for repair
Love the car for every day use due to the value and style of the equinox. However, we have had several issues with our chevy. Started with a check engine light with less then 2K on the clock, (3K) loud noises upon start up, (9K) steering wheel felt like it would "lock up" while driving, rough idel, interior parts and molding not fitting/working. Chevy refused to extend warranty nor would they assist with a trade in towards a new Equinox...it says a lot about a product when the mfg will not stand behind it and give an additional 3 yr warranty. As far as the MPG goes...it has been pretty close to the 22MPG listed in town driving.
Very Disappointed Equinox Owners
The shifting is very eratic and very rarely smooth. The shift between 2nd and 3rd is usually very hard. The hard shifting can lift my back off the seat. It is especially noticable during the first drive of the day even after warming the engine. We also started noticing a hesitation when accelerating between 0 and 20 mph. Then we noticed an abnormal fluttering or shuddering of the engine or transmission while driving in upper gears. This vehicle's performance is worthy of a trade-in. To be quite honest, this car has caused my wife and I more anxiety and frustration than it is worth. It is in the shop for the 4th time and all the technicians can say is "we can't find any codes.
MPG not expected
We bought this car thinking GM was building better more fuel efficient automobiles. Had the car for a year now and all I can say is I should have bought the subaru, it's a proven car where the Equinox hasn't proven anything yet. Love the design inside and out, quality is ok but for power and gas milage it's a HUGE dissapointment. With 21,000 miles we haven't seen better than 23mpg (thats all highway) and average around 21mpg. My wife test drove the car so I never felt the power until we brought it home, feels underpowered to say the least. And there's alot of rattling going on in the back. This car is however very quiet and comfortable, a fun little suv to drive. If ur buying for mpg, don't.
Never!!
Don't buy an Equinox! Super unreliable with absolutely little acceleration.
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Biggest Mistake
Before you get this car just do not. I wish someone would have told me or gave me a heads up or I would have done more investigative work on the issues with this car. Drove it initially off the lot with no issues except slow acceleration but it only has 4-cylinders so I get it. few months in the idle started acting up, then the reverse went out on the vehicle. Got the transmission changed under the CarMax warranty then the jerking started. The dealership insisted that I come in to get the recall done to my "high powered fuel pump" then the car just fell apart. The vehicle kills in main stream traffic. Seems as though the gas is not getting to where it needs to be. Then the heater went out and my auto start wont work now. The dealership that did the recall stated that the issue was not there fault and I would have to pay for diagnostic or parts and labor since there is no longer a warranty. Worse buy and I will never get another Chevy again.
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Dont buy this crap!!
2011 bought new..4 motors!! The factory and 3 used motors!! Fuel economy inaccurate as well!
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Excellent value, mostly reliable
Good car to own and operate for 7.5 years. It's been a good buy, good value, reasonably comfortable and mostly reliable. One major engine (cylinders) issue caught under warranty and covered. Entire a/c system has failed and been replaced, as well as main computer, as it neared 100k miles (105k now).
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Great ride
If buying used phone book doesn't always sync
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semi reliable car
I'm not going to lie, I love my car. I've had it for two years now and its only recently started to give me trouble. given that it's going on 8 years old I think that it's about time for it to have some issues. the only thing I really don't like about this car is the mpg. i can barely manage 22-25mpg which is not what was advertised. besides that it's a sturdy car. been in a couple of accidents that voice been worse in a different car.
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Unreliable suv
Suv shakes when it cam to a stop last year. Was told need to chang oil frequently, earlier than when the book tells you too. This week my car was starting to shake when I came to a stop so I was going to change oil that day but ran thru a bunch of water in the am an vehicle shut off. It finally restarted after 10 min but now it shakes really bad at stops the engine goes down to half power and it shuts off. To to repairman and he syayef he couldnt find anythin wrong. I picked it up it still shook alot at stops and shut off in my driveway thankfully. The repairman told is that the engines are junk in these late models. I dont know what to do. Any suggestions?
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2011 chevy equinox
I love my equinox, I've had it for 2 years now and ran into my first problem. My transmission went on it, but I got an extended warranty and its fully covered. I also found out ea egg LG that with the equinox you have to put full synthetic oil in it.
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Dont buy
Do not and I mean do not buy this car. Haven't had my car a year and everything going wrong with it. Still under warranty and GM wont pay for my engine pistons. I have had so many problems. Had to replace the calalytic converter myself after 5 months of owning it. I wanted this SUV so bad but now im the one looking stupid
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most reliable for breaking down
This is a review for the 6cyl. Right off the bat, the dealer knew the top console that opens was broken. I at the time did not know it was spring loaded, but the dealer- Elco in St louis Mo- did. The guy held on to it as he opened it and closed it. Aside from the 6 week wait for that part the car seemed to be great. Then about every 3 months something else would go wrong. The inside door handles started to peal, then the stick shift knob. Which were replace and currently pealing again Then a constant lean/high code. IT would go away and come back and the dealership could never find a cause. There was a air bag recall for the passenger seat and they rewired it. Ever since then, randomly, An air bag warning pops up, pretty sure due to the switch in the seat. Starting to hit the 3 year mark the engine error became really bad. The car would stall when driving it off and on. They replaced a PVC hose, that worked for about 3 months. Then the 3 year warranty expired, the battery quit a week later. Then the engine error came back. After contacting Chevy because I was POed about it never being fixed right, they have me "HARD SHIP" service for 1 hour, trying to make me feel bad about their garbage. The dealership had it on a smoke machine for 2 hours running all my gas out. I said get it off the machine I am leaving as I told them I had 1 hour and I am not paying a dealership to NOT diagnose this garbage. I found the answer myself and replaced a valve that checks pressure in the gas tank. That lasted about 9 months, then same error, I got another valve and it did not work. So it's either a faulty charcoal canister or a line or a computer error. The car drives but gets horrible MPG. I've had to replace struts after 5 years and lower control arm. There have been so many other issues I can not remember them all. The worse though is the rust. The genius engineers decided to drill holes all along the bottom of the inside body for door seals . This POS literally has rusted from the inside out completely through the metal all behind the door the entire body length. Look for another guy that made a YouTube video, its the same issue. Chevy/GMC are total crap along with every other American manufacturer. How these places constantly rip off consumers with all these failures is beyond me. Trucks seem to be the worse rusting due to poor recycled materials and little to no anti corrosion.
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Run from this SUV it is JUNK
My headliner has fallen down 3 times Plastic rocker molding fell off Engine knocking, car blowing blue/gray smoke, only getting 15-17MPG with regular fuel The car has been in the shop now for 2 weeks, with no real answers to the issues of poor MPG and the engine knocking. I was told it is "normal" for a new car to have blue/gray smoke coming from it until it is broke in. I have a meeting with GM's regional manager next week. RUN FROM THIS CAR! GM has not changed for the car company of the 1980s, they are still making junk (I will give them it looks better, dives better, and may use better materials) but the reliability and quality is still the same.
2011 Chevy Equinox - kept it only 9 months
sadly, this was an under performing SUV, in no way reached the sticker MPG rate. I was in the low to mid 20's at highway speeds everyday. After 3rd time to the dealer repair for warranty work, for 3 different problems, i.e. ceiling lights did not stay in, grinding sound in rear wheels when turning, poor gas mileage. the lights were fixed satisfactorily, the grinding sound was repaired, but returned. The gas mileage was never what was stated,
Yet another Problem
The Equinox I bought brand new in 9/10 has now had 4 major repairs needed. While all covered underwarranty still not what I expected or paid for! Owned 4 GM vehicles before this but will never buy GM again! THeir response...3 free oil changes. Oil changes doesn't fix the inconvienence, danger to my son with car dying while i was driving, or my lack of confidence in a car I paid 20K for. Unaccactablw when you can find these are common issue with this year make and model.
Best bang for the buck on the market;
I am a bit of a car snob. Mostly had Acuras and Lexus. We were in need of a new crossover and I looked at them all. The Equinox was overwhelmingly the winner for interior quality, ride, power, gas mileage, comfort for the price. Just go drive it. You will be blown away.
We've been happier
We bought a 2011 Equinox in Dec 2010. We have, sadly, had nothing but trouble with it. In addition to the fabric headliner pulling out over the window, it often will not start. We got stranded in Topeka, KS when the Body Control Module went out and had to use a loaner for the rest of our trip from Colorado to South Carolina. We drove back to Colorado and again it wouldn't start. The dealer can not find anything wrong with it. Chevy central has given me a customer service rep that reads from a script so my request for exchanging this for a new vehicle is falling on deaf ears. I'd like to feel assured that my new car will start every time. But, I don't. I remind myself I have a new car
2011 Equinox Woes
Go with something else. Good comfortable SUV but engine problems, vibration issues, and nobody at Chevrolet had any answers to my questions that I felt were satisfactory. Clunky shifting from P-D, D-P, etc. and I'm told that is normal. Ok but it only started after the engine had exhaust leaks, which caused the catylitic converter to go bad later (conveniently after warranty) and still have major performance problems. Never again with GM.
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Buyer Beware!!!!
I purchased this 2011 Equinox and will never purchase another one. The interior is poorly designed and the interior material is poor quality! The finish on the steering wheel flakes off and the fake cheap chrome on the door handles is cracking. There is an issue with the oil consumption and Chevy knows it! They will refund you if you have paid for repairs but they will not fix the problem themselves. I would never recommend TO ANYONE purchasing a Chevy Equinox. Poorly built using the cheapest materials and Chevy won't even stand behind their vehicles issues. In fact, I will never purchase another Chevrolet! Looking at a Jeep Grand Cherokee, my children both own one and the interior, ride, power and gas mileage far exceed the Chevy pickup my husband owns and puts my Equinox to SHAME! 2nd review of this car is no better than my first review.
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2 ton bathtub
This is NOT nor should be considered a performance vehicle. The 4 cylinder engine is slow to respond even with the gas peddle on the floor. Shifting at speed can be erratic and then shifts down 1 or 2 gears to find the right RPM to gear according to what the computer thinks. Why Chevy put a 4 cylinder in a 4000 lb vehicle is beyond me.
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2011 equinox
Shame on you go for putting this piece of junk out here!!! I am embarrassed to say this my father retired from him and it was always the best my piece of junk won’t turn on only when it feels like it accompressor is out and worst yet I still owe on it!!! Fair warning to others do not DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE IM TIRED IN This past YEAR ITS BEEN TO THE SHOP 8 times it’s a piece of Crap
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In tears
I have had my Equinox for almost 2 years. Bought it used at dealership. The remote start did not work and they covered it up. Then was told my warranty is only valid after 30 days. ( wait, what?) The started having to do oil changes every 2 months. Was also doing the lurch/jumping thing when slowing or stoping. The next problem started soon after. It would die, repeatedly, would have to pull over wait 15 minutes and bunny hop the rest of the way home. Got a diagnostic done and was told the cam and crankshaft sensors needed replaced. Did that. Replaced dead battery. Still nothing. Wont turn over, wont make a sound. Was told to check ECM. I have to rent a diagnostic machine for $170. to get codes to see what else it could be. Im on disability and cant afford $1000 let alone $7000 to get my suv fixed. Im a die hard Chevy fan but im in tears over all this. Anyone know what to do? I desperately need help.
Cute but trashy!
This is a very cute suv and will excite you at the purchase... I purchased my 2011 equinox in 2107 with 45,000 miles but as everyone else has experienced there is a problem with oil burning when I return for my oil changes there is no oil in the vehicle. I received papers saying there was a lawsuit against the company for bad pistons which is causing the oil problems but still no recall... I had to replace the battery and now my transmission just all of the sudden died. 5,000 to fix and I still have payments and no one will take as a trade. I would not recommend buying this unless you keep an warranty at all times. DISAPPOINTED!!
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Just a car
Headlights, what's with the headlights? They are mounted so far inside the fender and trim that the top of the light is cut off. In the city, not a problem, but in rural hilly areas you might as well drive with no headlights. You can only see a couple of car lengths ahead. Deer or people on the road, totally invisible. I sold a 2010 Camaro because of this. You couldn't see to drive it at night. I have a friend with a Lincoln MKz and she has the same problem. So far, so good mechanically. But the Equinox is ugly! Looks like it is nose diving down the road. It doesn't appear to sit level when parked. Really ugly. The rear shocks, struts or whatever need lowering.
Love it - LOVE IT - but wait, the check engine light just came on...
At 7800 miles I was driving to pick up a Pizza tonight thinking I should write a review on how much I love this Equinox. But on the ride home the check engine light came on and it stalled! I really do love this SUV. The styling and materials are top notch for the price. I love the handling and it is clear there are European underpinnings being used. It is very surefooted. I like the transmission and it makes good use of the 4 cylinder.