2007 Chevrolet Equinox: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Engine · 122,000 miles · PA

Purchased the car used with 115k miles. The first sign of an issue was the sound of water rushing to the heater core (air). Car started overheating a few weeks later as the outdoors temperature started to climb in late spring. I started to see white smoke coming from the tail pipe and was having to add coolant every other day. The issue started to get worse so I took it to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a head gasket failure. The issue happens more frequently on hills, during hot weather and while stopped at lights or in traffic. I tried to use a head gasket sealant which worked for about a month and then the car began to overheat again. I checked out several forums and find that this is a known issue in this vehicle due to a poor chose of head gasket with some antifreeze/coolant types. Head gasket replacement is very expensive and should be covered by a recall. The radiator hoses are over pressurizing and will cause ruptures which will end up burning someone severely.

Filed May 22, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 129,000 miles · WI

I purchased a 2007 chevy equinox from a private party back in january but due to a mix-up with the title and the previous owner I could not title the car and start driving it until march. I've noticed lately a strong smell of gas and a very loud clunking noise from the driver side front wheel. I took it to a local shop in my town and was told I had a gas leak at the top of the tank and that the sway bar linkage needed to be replaced . In doing my research I found that there was a recall for the fuel leak on the 2007 equinoxes and that many people have had problems with the sway bar linkage going bad and the service stable track light constantly staying on. I also have the problem stating all wheel drive off flashing on my screen. I found that many people put their VIN numbers in the search window and found theirs not to be part of the recall but I'm wondering why if more than just the previous recalled vehicles are having the same issue wouldn't they want another recall issued for the ones that haven't been repaired. I just took it to a gm dealer today in my hometown and they want over $1,400 to fix just the fuel leakage problem I need to know what gm is going to do about it. I don't have 1400 extra dollars to fix this gas leak and I'm scared to drive the vehicle for fear of it starting on fire.

Filed Aug 9, 2015 · Brakes · 122,000 miles · IL

My wife was driving when the brakes began to seize and there was a burning smell. She continued to attempt to drive and the car was slow to accelerate which caused the car to overheat. The warning light came on and advised to turn off AC and stop car. She stated that the brake pedal was very hard to press. She stopped the car allowed it to cool down then proceeded to cautiously drive home. I immediately drove it and noticed a slight burn scent but the car seemed to be ok other than the power brakes were no longer functional. After the car sat for 6-7 hours I drove it for about 1/2 hour with the power brakes now functioning. I took it to the shop and had entire system (calipers, rotors, pads, lines, etc.) examined and at that time it could not be replicated. My wife drove it the following day and after 25 minutes of interstate driving the power brakes were again not functioning. She parked it for 3 days at the airport and upon her return the power brakes worked for about 15 minutes before they no longer worked.

Filed Apr 19, 2015 · Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · PA

I'm not sure if I had written you already , its complicated, but here goes. I bought a 2007 chevy equinox in august 9, 2014 . August 29, 2007 is when the first of many problems started. The stability a light came on,at the exact time the lights came on the car would slow way, way down it didn't even register on how many miles I was going that's how slow the car moved, then it came to a complete stop. I waited a few seconds and tried to start the car and it did start. This kept happening about 4 or 5 times, then on december 12, 20014 it did it again, but this time it would not start up again. I had to have the car towed, I had all of my 10 year old christmas gifts still in the car. The garage had my car from dec. 12 thru to march 20, 2015, then it was towed to another garage, the first garage could not locate the problem. Ok, the second garage had it, they charged me $160.00 I got the car back on april 10, 2015 I drove it for four days and it did it again, now this car has died in the middle of intersections before and it did it again on april 13 2015. I was stuck in the middle of a very busy intersection, there was this huge dump truck headed right for me, I was scared to death, I almost always have my grandchildren with me thank god they weren't this time. When my car was moving very slowly the stabilitrac light did not come on, after a couple of minutes after the fact they did come on. Two men pushed me out from the middle of the intersection. There was smoke coming from the hood of the car. The first thing I thought of it might have been the radiator, but come to find out it was not the radiator. I had the car towed again to a different garage, they looked it over very well and called me to tell me there's a wire that caught on fire and it burned.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 97,000 miles · VA

I have a 2007 chevrolet equinox and started noticing a fuel smell coming from the rear of it as it gets worse after driving. I had a cobalt that had the recall on the fuel pump for the same issue so I looked into it and called a few local dealers and found out there is a recall on the equinoxes for it as we'll but it is only in certain areas and mine does not fall into the category. I have also researched and found out a lot of other people are having the same issue but the recall is not being extended and it should be so now to make sure it doesn't catch on fire I am having to fix the problem myself and it is not cheap to do.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Fuel system · 129,000 miles · IL

I noticed a strong smell of fuel coming from my vehicle, I took it to a mechanic who diagnosed it as a problem with my fuel pump. I looked online because I had heard of a recall associated with cars catching on fire due to a fuel pump defect and I believe my vehicle is affected by this same defect. I'm in urgent need of this being repaired but I'm being told that the problem with the fuel pump will not be covered given the recall is regional to specific states. I am disputing this as I don't understand why my vehicle can't be covered if it is experiencing the same defect that was identified in those states.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 89,864 miles · NY

The vehicle just started to slow down, it was difficult to steer to get off the road. It felt like the car was locking up. There was a strong burning smell. I was concerned that there would be a fire. The vehicle would not go backward or forward. A tow truck had to be called. The diagnosis was the power brake booster, which they replaced. Two weeks later the car locked up again. Now they are saying the entire braking and stabilizer system has to be replaced.

Filed Jul 25, 2013 · Fuel system · 96,000 miles · MI

About 2 weeks ago I started smelling gas around and in my vehicle. After researching the data base I see that is not uncommon and I am very concerned as to why this is not being recalled. How many complaints need to be made? Are they waiting for someone to be injured because their vehicle caught on fire due to this? This is a safety issue for sure. I did take my vehicle to the dealership and it is the fuel pump. Unfortunately I do not live in the states that the recall was issued for. I have had several issues with this vehicle and every one of them is a known common issue and none have been sent for recall. This is going to cost me more than I can afford to get it fixed. This should be a recall in all states not just a few!

Filed Dec 7, 2012 · Fuel system · TN

I started smelling gas when I stopped the car. There was a gas leak. I took it to the garage and they told me that it could have set the whole car on fire, due to the leak and trail of gas going up into the car. If I had been on the highway and a spark had hit the gas leak, we could have been set on fire. I called the chevrolet company and they said that if I didn't have my car registered in a certain state that the recall they had in place would not affect my car. If it is a faulty part, why does it matter where the car is registered, if there is a recall on the vehicle, there is a recall on the vehicle.

Filed Oct 3, 2012 · Fuel system · LA

My 2007 chevrolet equinox I haven't had it a year and fuel pump system is dry rotten and leaking fuel was close to catching on fire a manufacturer defect and they telling me at the dealership it's not included in the recall because I don't have no warranty I will have to pay $2000 to have my vehicle fix also my child always complaint of feeling sick when she ride inside the car now I know what cause her to feel sick I brought to the pediatrician and will have my attorney to get involved to have these matter resolved.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · FL

My 07 chevy equinox is leaking from the gas tank on the rear passenger side of the car. A very strong odor is coming into the car I called the local chevrolet dealer and they told me that this was a on going problem with this year equinox but it hasn't been re called . I looked up this problem and there's a ton of cars with the same problem this is so dangerous to have. I have counted over 200 other complaints for the same problem, on the same model year on various other automotive help sites. I feel this is a very serious defect putting human life's in jeopardy. This is very dangerous and can result in the vehicle catching on fire if someone flicks a cigarette or there is a rear end or passenger side collision.

Filed Dec 1, 2011 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · TX

During the last month I began to smell gasoline inside my vehicle. The more you drive it the smell gets worse. I can not park it in the garage the gasoline smell then lingers throughout the house. I can not find any visible leaks. I googled this problem on line and there are numerous complaints about the same problem. The smell is coming from the rear passenger side and when I laid on the ground to look at the tank, you can see it is leaking some where by the filler neck or other connections. This is very dangerous and can result in the vehicle catching on fire if someone flicks a cigarette or there is a rear end or passenger side collision.