2011 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a good and compact SUV, and it has received an excellent rating for its strong and sturdy quality. It imparts great comfort and poise with its two engines that provide enough energy to ensure a smooth ride.
However, every vehicle has some drawbacks, which may contradict your requirements despite the unique, essential feature. It would help if you compared the good and bad of a car before purchasing to ensure that you settle on a good deal.
The bonus points of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox model, like its power, comfort, efficiency, and safety, are no secret; however, we will read between the lines and figure out the shortcomings of this model. Nonetheless, it is the best purchase if you are okay with these minor issues.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems:
Oil Consumption Problems:
The gas mileage of this Chevy kid can be a huge issue. It offers 16-22 mpg in the city and 22-32 mpg on highways that may diminish even more over a short span. Most 2011 Chevy Equinoxes are not under warranty anymore. Therefore, the car mechanic will probably repair, rebuild or completely replace the engine to combat this issue.
You may anticipate this issue before time if the service engine lights soon or the trouble codes “P0013” or “P0016” appear.
Chatter Noise on Starting Up:
You must be familiar with the chattering noise that appears just as you turn on the engine if you have ever been in the driver’s seat of the 2011 Equinox. It doesn’t last long and fades in 10-15 seconds. Once warmed up, the engine stops making this rough sound. The good thing is that it doesn’t indicate any significant problem.
2011 Chevy Equinox Air Conditioning Problems:
Air conditioning problems in any vehicle may be a huge issue, mainly when you belong to a warm place. If you don’t get it fixed soon, you will feel like baking up. Similarly, it may also be a curse in icy areas because the same system is responsible for defrosting and other related functions. Unfortunately, the 2011 model year Equinox also came up with several issues in its air conditioning system, and some of them are as follows:
Defrost System Failure:
The defrost system in the Chevy Equinox is very vulnerable; however, it is not associated with the car’s mechanical engineering. We can call out the software issues for most damage. This software issue not only causes the defrost system failure, but the radio controls, instrument panel, and panel illumination are also under hot water.
A defrost system is necessary for cold areas where the driver may want to remove the fog and snow off the windshield to make the vision clearer. Furthermore, it protects against the formation of ice on the windshield. It may result in an unfortunate accident if the defrost system isn’t working.
A/C Compressor:
There is a big chance that you will have to rush to a mechanic or car dealership soon to get your A/C compressor fixed. Or you may prefer to use the owner’s manual to improve it on your own if you are familiar with car engineering. It is one of the most common issues in Chevy Equinox 2011 and may appear right after its purchase in some cases.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission Problems:
The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox comes with a six-speed transmission, excellent for a smooth ride. Nonetheless, the problem appears when you realize that it will not require any transmission fluid change if you are operating it under normal conditions, I.e., (not towing or carrying significant loads.)
The engineers have detected that, primarily, the problem lies in the 35 R clutch plate. If this clutch pate fails, there will be considerable difficulty shifting the vehicle, especially to the 3rd, 5th, and reverse gear.
2011 Chevy Equinox Solenoid Problems:
One can attribute the transmission problems to the solenoid problems that run on the engine’s computers. If any of these starts malfunctioning, the whole transmission system will suffer. Chevy Equinox may have to combat any or a few of these solenoid issues.
Delay Shifting Between the Gears:
Your shift solenoid is at fault if you feel like spending considerable time shifting between the gears. You may also observe the time transmission takes to exit from one kit.
Inconsistent Shifting:
It indicates a more significant issue when the transmission starts skipping the gears. It happens when the shift solenoid is not working well in 6T45E, causing erratic shifting behavior.
Failure to Downshift:
This problem happens when one or more solenoids are stuck in open or closed conditions. Transmission fluids thus fail to take the proper route to the part of the transmission system required to fulfill the needed action.
Testing the solenoids with an ohmmeter is an option to detect the problem. It may have several other issues, like the plunger stuck, broken wire, and melted coil wire.
If the Chevy Equinox owner’s manual fails to help, you may consider going through a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox service manual for troubleshooting and repairing solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles can I get from my 2011 Equinox?
150K-200K miles
What is the JD Powers reliability rating of the 2011 Equinox?
85 out of 100
What is the Equinox Gas Mileage?
25MPG city, and 30MPG highway