2024 Chevrolet Equinox: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

Earlier that morning the cluster displayed "Service Power Steering - Drive With Care" at 12,925 miles. I photographed it at a traffic light. The vehicle drove normally on that leg, steering assist was not lost, and I dismissed the notification, which cleared. I parked. On restarting a short time later, the vehicle went into failure mode. While driving on surface streets it lost power steering assistance three separate times in about eight minutes. The first was mid-turn: the wheel became substantially harder to turn and required significantly increased force to complete the corner. The second was on a main road. The third was as I turned into a dealership lot. Between those events, on two separate occasions, the vehicle continued propelling itself forward with my foot off the accelerator. It did not coast or decelerate as normal when I lifted off. Multiple warnings illuminated across the cluster and stayed lit. I photographed and recorded video showing "Service High Voltage System" and "Service ESC" at 12,942 miles. I judged the vehicle unsafe and drove directly to the nearest dealership, about eight minutes away, and surrendered it. I was on surface streets with traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Loss of steering mid-turn plus a vehicle that would not stop propelling itself put me and others at risk. At highway speed, or with passengers, I do not believe I could have maintained control. The dealership confirmed the failure and reported an initial diagnosis of a burned out drive motor power distribution control module. Teardown is pending. The vehicle remains out of service and is available for inspection. The three losses of steering assistance remain unexplained. My understanding is that electric power steering is separate from the failed propulsion module, and the steering warning appeared before the module failure. UNKNOWN whether these were related or separate concurrent failures. Manufacturer has not inspected. No crash, no injuries, no police report.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Fuel system · TN

Driving down the highway and my vehicle lost power. It stopped dead still in the middle of the highway under a hill both front and back. It was very dangerous both for me and the other drivers. Engine light came on and the car wouldn’t start . Had it towed to the Chevrolet dealer.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Engine and Transission System Fuel Management system, How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle it would just shut off, when you tried to restart vehicle it would not start all you could smell was gas. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This happened on 3 different occasions by 3 different Chevorlet dearerships. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? ONSTAR provided the diagnostic codes to provide to the dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Their were no lights or warnings, only after it turned off we would receive a reduced engine power notice on the dash but no warning lights.

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

Between XXX, a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox RS experienced repeated sudden loss of engine power, throttle control, and steering control at highway speeds. Fuel management system, turbocharger, and catalytic converter failed repeatedly. GM-authorized dealer confirmed defects on multiple warranty repair orders. Breakdown 1: Nov 2024, interstate, rain, nighttime. Vehicle lost power and steering surrounded by semi-trucks on three sides with a ditch on the right. Towed to GM dealer. Breakdown 2: Dec 2024, [XXX], 2 miles from home. Same failure. Semi on driver side, vehicles fast approaching from rear, ditch on right. Crawled under 35 mph for 5 miles to next exit. GM OnStar app confirmed Engine/Transmission and Emissions System warnings. Independent scan confirmed P0299, P0171, P00C6. Check Engine FAIL, Emission Ready NO. Breakdown 3: XXX, [XXX] , 1 AM, winter storm. Same failure. Driver stranded. Sustained burns from superheated hood mechanism and fall injuries on wet pavement. Dealer confirmed turbocharger damage, blocked catalytic converter, and fuel rail pressure failures across multiple visits. On fourth repair attempt, dealer technician documented a component from a prior repair had fallen out and was not caught, directly causing the next breakdown. GM Technical Assistance Center was engaged. Same fault codes recurred across all four repair attempts. MyChevrolet app diagnostics, independent AutoZone scans, and dealer warranty repair orders confirm the recurring defect pattern. Vehicle was repossessed by lender in June 2025 following loan delinquency caused directly by extended repair periods and income loss from recurring defects. Vehicle no longer in owner's possession. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · DE

The engine failed while driving on the highway on two separate occasions due a fuel pump issue. The first time it happened, it was just reduced power (could only drive maybe 40 miles an hour). I brought it to the dealership and they said that General Motors told them it needs a software update which they completed. However the second time it happened (4 months later) it was full engine shutdown in the left lane on a 65mph highway with my family (including my toddler) in the car. The first time it happened we were able to make it home by driving with the hazard lights on very slowly. But the second time we were doing the 65 mph speed limit in the left lane on a 3 lane highway. To avoid causing a pile up of cars or a deadly accident, we had to use the momentum of the speed we were going to try to safely drift across three lanes of congested traffic just to make it safely to the shoulder. We were then stuck on the side of the highway in the sun on an 80 degree day with a car with no power. I had to remove my two year old from the car so he didn't get heat exhaustion and stand on the side of the highway holding him in the little bit of shade we could find. The car then had to be towed back to my dealership over an hour away because it would not even turn on. The dealership was not able to replicate the issue the first time it happened, but did the software update that the manufacturer recommended. To my knowledge its only been inspected by the dealership. The only warning signs/messages/lights were the ones happening as the engine was failing/shutting down. There was no advanced warning. This care is less than two years old and its a leased vehicle from the dealership down repairs, I work from home there are less than 20k miles on i, this is not neglect on my part or over usage in anyway of the vehicle.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Fuel system · AL

While the vehicle was in park and still running it started sputtering and idling erratically and the engine shut off. While trying to restart, the car was having a hard time starting, eventually starting with the same problem. While driving, the car was sputtering, had reduced engine power, and felt like it was going to shut down. The check engine light was on the entire duration of the incident. This has been a recurring intermittent problem that first occurred approximately three months ago. Car has been to the dealer before but the problem didn’t occur and they were unable to diagnose the issue. When taking the car to the dealership on 09 March, the dealer confirmed the problem and said it was a faulty fuel pump that will cost over $800 to repair. After a brief internet search, I found safety bulletin NS2450160 that includes 2023-2024 Chevy Equinox vehicles for this exact problem but it doesn’t include my VIN.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

September 2025, January 2026 and March 2026 on the freeway heading into the caldecut tunnel and the car jerked check engine light came on and the engine went into reduced engine power. All three times the car had to be towed into the dealership, all three times the fuel pump has been replaced. This is a 2024 Equinox. Anyone living in the bay area knows what the traffic is like, my son could have been killed any of these times due to faulty parts being replaced into a new vehicle. Contacted GM and they refuse to buy it back. I see there is a class action suit for faulty fuel pumps but they seem to keep replacing the same faulty parts.

Filed Nov 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WA

At 5 am in the morning the car suddenly failed and indicated it was an engine or transmission failure in the middle of a four lane major intersection in a downtown area. It was dangerous due to the darkness, and poor visibility. I had to abandon the vehicle as it was dangerous to stay with it while waiting for police. I could have been injured (as could others) due to its sudden failure in the intersection of a busy roadway. Chevrolet dealership states it is the fuel pump driver module. The car is currently at the dealership for repair. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure until the car suddenly lost power. Once it lost power the engine light lit up and shortly after I had exited the vehicle, I began receiving messages from "On Star" telling me that there were engine or transmission problems. Meanwhile I stood in the pouring rain in an unsafe neighborhood, leaning out into traffic to try and stop cars from running head on into my car for over 30 minutes waiting for police.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Transmission · MI

My 2024 Equinox was returned to the dealership on approximately October 1, 2025, due to a check engine light related to the torque converter. I required a rental vehicle during this time. I picked up my vehicle on October 10, 2025, and all repairs were covered under my extended warranty. I was informed that my rental reimbursement would be issued once I submitted the required paperwork. My safety and the safety of my grandchildren were put at risk loss of power and control-stalling, in ability to accelerate in traffic, gear slippage and over heating Given the known history of torque converter issues in the Equinox—dating back as early as 2005—it is disheartening that GM continues to sell vehicles at premium prices while failing to properly support the customers who purchase them.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · AZ

Vehicle Lost Power / CEL Illuminated

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

On [XXX], about 400 miles into our trip heading South on [XXX], the Engine Reduced Power Warning came on. We were in the fast lane traveling at 70 MPH,the car immediately slowed to about 30 mph.There was no prior warning or check engine light. Vehicles behind us had to swerved and change lanes to avoid hitting us. The computer went into limp mode, when pressing the accelerator there was no power, we somehow made it to the right shoulder without getting hit and limped along to a safe spot and called a tow truck. Car was towed to an independent repair shop recommended by AAA, they ran the codes and came up with a code for High pressure Fuel pump. This vehicle is a 2024 Chevy Equinox with 15,018 miles on it, we bought brand new in April 2024 with 5 miles, always maintained at the dealer.Because we were 400 miles from home and the closest dealer in Bakersfield said they could not work on it for 3 or 4 days, we had to have the independent shop replace the fuel pump. We had to rent a car to continue our trip and picked up the car 2 days later. Replacing the fuel pump fixed the problem but the check engine light came back on about 30 miles later. The mechanic ran the codes and said it needed the computer re-flashed but it would be safe to drive home. After we got home we took it to the dealer, they re-flashed the computer and check engine light went off.After about 30 miles later the check engine light came back on, took it back to the dealer and this time the codes showed a bad catalyst converter, dealer replaced under warranty, only 15728 miles on vehicle at this point. So far 200 miles and light is still off.I I filed a complaint with General Motors customer service to let them know of this problem. I also requested to get reimbursement for the rental car and fuel pump.They refused to reimburse us because we didn't have a dealer do it, regardless of the situation. The public needs to know of this dangerous situation with the model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2024 Chevrolet Equinox, and to request immediate investigation and resolution. The vehicle has, on multiple occasions, unexpectedly gone into “reduced power” mode (also referred to as “limp mode”), drastically limiting acceleration while driving at full speed in traffic. This most recently occurred while my teenage daughter was behind the wheel, causing the car to completely shut off in the middle of the street. The first time this happened, I was traveling at approximately 55 mph on Highway 74 when the vehicle suddenly decelerated to about 35 mph without warning, despite my attempts to accelerate. The check engine light appeared only after the power loss. We narrowly avoided a serious crash. We had to engage hazard lights, swerve through traffic, and coast the vehicle home. The dealership was unable to replicate the issue during follow-up visits, and the issue stopped temporarily—but has now returned. This is more than an inconvenience; it is a critical safety risk to myself, my family, and others on the road. Details: Vehicle: 2024 Chevrolet Equinox Issue: Sudden power loss while driving; engine enters limp mode without warning Occurrences: Multiple (including full vehicle shutdown) over the course of ownership Dealership Response: "No issues found" – despite multiple visits Diagnostic Error: Dashboard reads “Engine Power is Reduced” Concern: Loss of power at high speed, dangerous stalling in traffic