NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
31 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 16, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
The ECM in my vehicle appears to have an intermittent failure that can cause it to send the vehicle into WOT at any time at random. I was stopped at a traffic signal. It turned green, I let off the brake and my vehicle learched forward for a second, and then, all of a sudden launched into and hit the vehicle in front of me. I tr…
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The ECM in my vehicle appears to have an intermittent failure that can cause it to send the vehicle into WOT at any time at random. I was stopped at a traffic signal. It turned green, I let off the brake and my vehicle learched forward for a second, and then, all of a sudden launched into and hit the vehicle in front of me. I tried to push down the brakes, but they were too stiff, and, no, my foot did not even get a chance to press the gas yet. There was only minor damage to my vehicle, however, the situation was extremely scary. I have since changed out the ECM and have had no issues since. I have seen this issue once before on a similar vehicle, except, what happened with that is the vehicle was in a garage, and the ECM had failed nearly completely and stuck the vehicle in WOT. In my case, I was still able to drive the vehicle home, so the issue appeared to me intermittent. I still have the original ECM for further investigation. As I understand it, this ECM is in thousands of GM vehicles, across multiple lines. GM Part Number: 12611090.
NHTSA ODI #11550080
120,000 miles · Aug 15, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train
LESS THAN 4,000 MILES DRIVEN AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. THE HEATER CORE ALSO EXPLODED ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASSESS THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. AROUND 20-25,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMP GAUGE STOPPED REPORTING TEMPERATURES…
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LESS THAN 4,000 MILES DRIVEN AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR. THE HEATER CORE ALSO EXPLODED ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASSESS THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. AROUND 20-25,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMP GAUGE STOPPED REPORTING TEMPERATURES CORRECTLY AND WOULD REDLINE EVEN IF THE CAR WAS OFF FOR OVER 2 DAYS IT WOULD START UP WAY ABOVE THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE FUEL GUAGE NO LONGER CORRECTLY INDICATES HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT IN THE TANK AND WILL NOT MOVE OFF OF EMPTY EVEN AFTER PUMPING 13 GALLONS INTO THE TANK. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HEATER CORE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DURING TRANSMISSION, TEMPERATURE, AND GAS GAUGE FAILURES.
NHTSA ODI #11015559
100,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AT 100 THOUSAND MILES BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 8 WEEKS NOW.SHOP MANAGER SAYS THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11000206
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING EITHER ON CITY OR FREEWAY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, JERKING, AND VIBRATING REALLY BADLY WHEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, INSTEAD IT WOULD SLOW DOWN AND IT FELT LIKE GAS WAS NOT GOING TROUGH. IT FIRST STARTED 3 MONTHS AGO TOOK IT TO FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE RECOMMENDA…
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WHILE DRIVING EITHER ON CITY OR FREEWAY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, JERKING, AND VIBRATING REALLY BADLY WHEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, INSTEAD IT WOULD SLOW DOWN AND IT FELT LIKE GAS WAS NOT GOING TROUGH. IT FIRST STARTED 3 MONTHS AGO TOOK IT TO FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE RECOMMENDATION I RECEIVED FROM SERVICE AGENT WAS TO GET FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED AND CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WHICH COST ME AROUND $298. THE SAME DAY IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, SO I LET IT BE FOR A WHILE BUT IT CONTINUES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE CONTACTED SERVICE AGENT BUT HAVE NO SOLUTION FOR ME. THE OTHER ISSUE IT HAS IS THE KEY ALWAYS GETS STUCK, AND NEED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON THEN TURN THE WHEEL, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES MORE THAN THIS TO GET THE KEY OUT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA ODI #10779416
81,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVisibility/wiper
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR WITHOUT LETTING OFF THE GAS, VALVE BODY SOLENOID PROBLEM. REAR WIPER MOTOR BAD, IGNITION GETS STUCK ON WITH KEY IN, HAVE TO PUT GEAR SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF GEAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET KEY OUT. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF LIGHTS COMES ON AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS OF VEHICLE BEING STAR…
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TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR WITHOUT LETTING OFF THE GAS, VALVE BODY SOLENOID PROBLEM. REAR WIPER MOTOR BAD, IGNITION GETS STUCK ON WITH KEY IN, HAVE TO PUT GEAR SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF GEAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET KEY OUT. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF LIGHTS COMES ON AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS OF VEHICLE BEING STARTED. ALTERNATOR WAS WHINING EXTREMELY LOUD, HAD TO REPLACE. HEATER BLEND DOOR BROKEN, CANNOT HAVE HOT AIR FOR WINTER OR COLD A/C IN SUMMER. SOUNDS LIKE WATER RUSHING THROUGH DASH BOARD WHEN CAR IS STARTED. VERY HEAVY ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR WHEN HEAT IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695196
37,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR OUT OF PARK AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. UPDATED 04/28/15
NHTSA ODI #10695109
41,720 miles · Feb 23, 2015
EnginePower TrainSteering
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 GOING 70 MPH , THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I LOST POWER WHEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. THIS WAS THE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AUTO SHOWCASE OF BELAIR MD. THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT HAPPENED ATLEAST 7 TIMES IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS ALONE. I REQUESTED FOR THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, T…
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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 GOING 70 MPH , THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I LOST POWER WHEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. THIS WAS THE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AUTO SHOWCASE OF BELAIR MD. THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT HAPPENED ATLEAST 7 TIMES IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS ALONE. I REQUESTED FOR THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, THEY REFUSED.. 4 WEEKS INTO OWNING THIS CAR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE WAS FINALLY RESOLVED.DURING THAT TIME PERIOD I FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR SOLD TO ME WAS STOLEN, THE DEALER DID NOT TELL ME THAT AND SHOWED ME PAPER WORK THAT WAS NOT A CAR FAX REPORT. THREE MONTHS LATER IN OCTOBER OF 2013 MY CAR STARTED OVER HEATING AND CUTTING POWER OFF TO THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON 95. IT HAPPENED 5 TIMES. A MECHANIC LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. AFTER A MONTH IT WAS FIXED. ONE MONTH LATER IN DECEMBER, MY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING. I AM NOT JOKING WHEN I SAY THAT HAPPENED OVER 100 TIMES. I HAVE OVER 20 VIDEOS OF THIS HAPPENING UP UNTIL JUST RECENTLY IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. SO THE ISSUE NOW,OTHER THAN MY CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, IS MY HEAD GASKETS BLEW AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS! WHY HAS THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NOT HAVE RECALLED!? THIS MODEL IS DANGEROUS TO ANYONE THAT DRIVES IT OR JUST HAPPENS TO BE ON THE ROAD NEAR THEM. WHEN MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF ON ME OVER 100 TIMES IHAVE CUT MULTIPLE DRIVERS OFF EVERY TIME TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! THIS VEHICLE MODEL IS FAR FROM SAFE AND I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW THIS. YOU CAN LOOK UP ANY CHEVY EQUINOX FORUM ON THE INTERNET AND FIND THESE INCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690146
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
AFTER PARKING CAR AND TURNING KEY TO TURN OFF ENGINE I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT THE CAR. ISSUE HAPPENS A FEW TIMES A WEEK AND SOMETIMES HAPPENS ALL DAY. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT OR RESTART CAR AND DRIVE AROUND AND THEN PARK TO GET KEY OUT. I HAVE SEEN THE ISSUE REPORTED ON MULTIPLE SITES AND FORUMS YET GM STILL HASN'T ISS…
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AFTER PARKING CAR AND TURNING KEY TO TURN OFF ENGINE I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT THE CAR. ISSUE HAPPENS A FEW TIMES A WEEK AND SOMETIMES HAPPENS ALL DAY. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT OR RESTART CAR AND DRIVE AROUND AND THEN PARK TO GET KEY OUT. I HAVE SEEN THE ISSUE REPORTED ON MULTIPLE SITES AND FORUMS YET GM STILL HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669610
30,806 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Power Train
WHEN CAR IS PARKED GEAR SHIFT IS IN "PARK" THE IGNITION KEY WILL TURN OFF ENGINE BUT CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. MUST RESTART ENGINE, PUT INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO "PARK" AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR A SECOND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE KEY TO COME OUT! HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. *…
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WHEN CAR IS PARKED GEAR SHIFT IS IN "PARK" THE IGNITION KEY WILL TURN OFF ENGINE BUT CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. MUST RESTART ENGINE, PUT INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO "PARK" AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR A SECOND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE KEY TO COME OUT! HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627752
78,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THE CAR STARTS TO JERK WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND THE TRACTIONS CONTROL MAKES THE CAR BECOME UNDRIVABLE. THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR IS DEFECTED I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST YEAR IN 2013 AND THE CAR COMPUTER TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627363
Official recalls
4Sep 19, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Nov 7, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIRBAGS OR OPTIONAL SUNROOF FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201,"OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING NHTSA IMPACT TESTS, THE INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST INDICATED A POSSIBILITY OF AN INCREASED RISK OF HEAD INJURY IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY ABSORBING FOAM PIECE TO EACH OF THE A-PILLAR TRIM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Aug 7, 2007
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN THESE VEHICLES, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS BUILT WITH A PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM. WHEN TESTED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE UNRESTRAINED SMALL ADULT, THE SYSTEM IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG ON. AN ERROR IN THE SEAT SENSOR CALIBRATION CAN CAUSE IT TO FAIL THIS TEST. IN ADDITION, THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM TURNING OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL CHILD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, THE DRIVER SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK THE AIRBAG INDICATOR TO SEE IF THE AIRBAG IS ON OR OFF. IF IT IS NOT CORRECT FOR THE SITUATION, THE PASSENGER SHOULD BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT SEAT. THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SEAT'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Jun 13, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." AN INCORRECT PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED WHEN INSTALLING THE WINDSHIELD. THE SAME PRIMER MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN APPLIED TO THE LIFTGATE GLASS AND THE SIDE STATIONARY GLASS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, THE LIFTGATE GLASS, AND THE SIDE STATIONARY GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗