The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed a small amount of fluid within the engine compartment. The dealer later determined that the fluid was power steering fluid. However, the dealer was unable to determine the exact location of the leak. The contact was advised to continue driving the vehicle for 1 week then return for a follow-up inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems
43 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 43
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Equinox steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 minutes or longer. The steering gear contains a servo unit that includes a worm gear with a worm and a worm wheel. General Motors (GM) stated that the primary root cause of the increased steering effort is the supplier's inconsistent application of grease in the interface between the worm and the worm wheel. The grease may have been applied in a location on the worm wheel that didn't interface with the worm, depriving the worm gear of proper lubrication.On November 1, 2014, GM issued Special Coverage 14232 to address the power steering stick-slip issue in MY 2010-2014 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain; MY 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt; MY 2012-2014 Buick Verano; and MY 2013-2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. GM notified consumers via mail.The Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the steering gear with an improved internal worm gear greasing process for MY 2010-2012 vehicles. For the MY 2013-2014 vehicles, the Special Coverage repair includes a reprogramming of the steering gear control module. The new software has an anti-stick feature which senses and reduces the friction between the worm and worm wheel by oscillating the worm gear. GM stated that the difference in remedy is due to the inability of the MY 2010-2012 steering gear control module to accept the new software.The remedy implemented in GM Special Coverage 14232 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Considering the low complaint and warranty rates of steering rack replacement as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. ODI has not identified a safety defect or defect-related failure trend in the subject vehicles. In view of the Special Coverage, low rate of failure, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at under the following identification numbers:11424633,11421725,11229647,11101375,10919921,10689932,10671557,10664687,10663350, 10593429,10592065,10585476,10585365,10576237,10575693,10532766,10490295,10434128, 10417845,10412535,10403168,10395532,10395171,10391948,10384211,10375515,10366297, 10360999,10360599,10345626,10319530,10305569,10304769,10299745
PE20009
What 2011 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that there was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure started out intermittently and had gradually over the years became a reoccurring failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
Power steering malfunction and stop working while driving. Reported on many of these models.
Sometimes the past 2 half years the power steering goes out, a few years ago i took it to a dealer they did not find anything but its dangerous. I just seen on like that you all have a recall for it but its not showing on my VIN number,
purchased the car from some that passed away and did not get these items fixed before I got it. coverter/ lossing/using oil, and electric power steering system problem
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving in a parking lot, the steering became difficult to turn. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and the steering wheel started to operate as designed. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE20009 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
My car was purchased used at a Chevrolet dealership. I noticed right away that the carjerks when I accelerate, it also stalls when trying to accelerate when making a turn which cam cause an accident. The vehicle revs and slowly moves and then takes off. Its a dragging motion when driving its very slow. The steering wheel locks when turning as if I need power steering fluid. This car is a hazard, waiting to happen. When starting it, it makes this loud humming noise. I just had it inspected and the mechanic said the car was fine, but driving it is a different story.
Once on a while the power steering locks for approximately 3 or 4 seconds and a light that’s looks like some pliers lights up. It probably be a issue with the power steering motor.
My ABS and stabilitrack light would come on intermittently was told it's a bad sensor and replace when possible. On the way to take my kids to school, (no warning lights presented) I was traveling about 25 MPH through the neighborhood when approaching a stop sign I depressed my brakes. Immediately the ABS and stabilitrack lights came on and the brake pedal would not depress more than 1/2' and made a gear locking sound. I was able to come to a stop using manual downshift and pumping the brakes. When presenting to mechanic, I was advised to attempt to replicate. Read that again. I was advised to attempt to replicate a brake failure.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox steering
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox have steering problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Equinox steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Equinox have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Equinox model years with the most steering complaints are 2007 (78 complaints), 2005 (50 complaints) and 2008 (44 complaints).
Other 2011 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Engine 419Transmission 145Visibility 77Fuel system 75Electrical 74Driver assistance 57Airbags 52Acceleration 50Brakes 27Body 15Seat belts 13Seats 9Suspension 6Wheels 6Tires 4Lights 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history