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2011 Chevrolet Equinox: windshield wiper failure

69 of the 783 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox describe windshield wiper failure.

owner complaints
69
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
119,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 67 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Windshield wiper failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Visibility · 200,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the windshield wipers failed to function as intended. The contact stated that there was a sound coming from the windshield wiper motor; however, the wiper arms had seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while it was raining on a busy highway. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Visibility · MI

Wipers have stopped working, have had it repaired twice and they keep quitting.

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Visibility · 125,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the windshield wiper was activated, the windshield wiper arms detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Visibility · MN

Joint on the front windshield wiper assembly failed. Was driving in a 4 lane highway doing about 70 mph while it was raining. Windshield wipers stopped halfway through the movement they sat for a moment they moved to as far as they could go towards the driver side and that’s where they stayed. The driver side one was over the edge of the vehicle. I followed tail lights turning onto a side road, pulled over safely. Moved the wipers to a down position, there was no resistance. Checked the fuse and that was fine. Waited a bit for the rain to settle a bit and drove to a safer location. Once off the highway and away from traffic when turning the windshield wipers on I could hear the motor still going so knew it was an issue with the arms. I had been on the road for about 2 hours all major highway with still over 2.5 hours left of my drive when they failed. We had to trailer it home as it was not safe to drive with the amount of rain we were getting. Replaced the motor and arm mechanism when we got it home and saw that it was one of the ball joints that broke. There were no warning lights, we have the old parts if needed for inspection, this looks to be the same issue as the recalled parts on the 2014-2015 equinox.

Filed Jun 18, 2023 · Visibility · IL

The wipers stopped working on the highway pouring down rain

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Electrical, Visibility · CA

The windshield wipers and yes, available at anytime for inspection. I was traveling Hwy 80 and the wipers stopped working completely in a downpour of rain at 70 mph. I could not see and could not even follow the rear taillights in front of me to stay in my lane. I put my right blinker on and slowly moved to the slow lane in order to take the next exit off the highway. Had to travel over the highway on the overpass and needed to turn right. Couldn’t see detail so ended up running over yellow barriers then made it to the right turn and was barely able to make out a driveway which was a Starbucks. Stopped to confirm wipers would not work and to move wipers by hand to clear windshield. Every 4 or 5 blocks had to stop and get out to physically move wipers by hand to clear rain water from windshield in order to drive further. It was so dangerous, I could of easily caused accidents for others and myself and also could have been fatal! Next time you’re on the highway, close your eyes and keep driving-it was the same and scared me to the point that I was shaking!!! Thank God I didn’t have my grandkids with me!!

Filed Jan 12, 2023 · Visibility · 114,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact pulled over and waited until the rain stopped falling before continuing to drive. The dealer was contacted and stated that an unstated bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 114,000.

Filed Apr 26, 2022 · Visibility · 156,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH during a rainstorm, the contact heard the driver's side windshield wiper making a snapping noise before with the windshield wiper ceased operation. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2022 · Visibility · FL

The windshield wiper linkage disconnects when the windshield wipers are placed on the highest setting causing me to not be able to drive in the rain.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Visibility · OH

Driving on the highway while it was raining and I had my wipers on and all of a sudden they stopped working. Wipers aren’t moving at all but can hear the motor turning. Assuming it’s in the wiper trans/linkage assembly.

Filed Nov 13, 2021 · MI

Windshield wiper linkage motor/ transmission. Replaced once already. Stopped working again. Bushings are crap. Having to replace the whole thing for bad bushings.

Filed Oct 19, 2020 · Visibility · 204,700 miles · OH

While driving in rain, in the left lane while passing a truck at 65-70mph, in the dark, the driver side wiper arm clicked a few times against the a-pillar then ceased working. Fortunately the passenger side wiper continued to function.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox wipers

Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

69 of 783 owner complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox (9%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 2015.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox?

There are 0 recalls and 67 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox

Check engine light 138Stalling 137Oil consumption 134Loss of power 55Engine failure 46Knocking 34Transmission failure 29Fuel pump 28Jerking 27Hesitation 22Misfire 22Airbag light 20No deployment 14Won't start 14ABS 13Won't shift 12Slipping 10Harsh shifting 9Adaptive cruise 8Brake failure 8Fire or smoke 8Steering lock-up 8Fuel smell 7Tire blowout 7Grinding brakes 5Power steering loss 5Seat belt 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Equinox

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