Check a VIN

Chevrolet Equinox check engine light comes on

1,113 of the 9,236 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Equinox describe check engine light, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
1,113
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$2,400
typical mileage
77,360
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 261Loss of power 146Oil consumption 139Fuel pump 121Engine failure 99Jerking 64Misfire 55Won't start 42

Trouble codes mentioned

P0010 12P0011 10P0700 9P0017 8P0014 8P0420 7P0089 7P0299 6P2135 5P228C 4

What owners say

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

On November 5, 2026, my 2026 Chevrolet Equinox experienced a sudden loss of propulsion in a busy, four-lane intersection, leaving me completely immobilized in active traffic. When I attempted to accelerate, the vehicle would not respond. I tried restarting it multiple times, but the engine remained completely silent. Although the infotainment screen, Wi-Fi, and other electrical systems continued functioning, multiple dashboard warning lights illuminated, including the check engine light. Most alarmingly, the vehicle would not shift into Neutral. Several bystanders attempted to help push the vehicle out of the intersection, but the transmission would not disengage from Park. As a result, the vehicle could not be moved to safety, leaving me stranded in a dangerous intersection with traffic approaching from multiple directions. This created a significant risk of a serious collision. There were no prior warning signs or mechanical issues. However, the vehicle received a software update on November 4, 2026, just one day before the incident. Whether this contributed to the failure is unknown. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealership for inspection, and the cause remains undetermined. Following the incident, I discovered multiple 2026 Chevrolet Equinox owners reporting nearly identical experiences, specifically sudden immobilization and an inability to shift into Neutral. I strongly urge the federal safety agency to investigate this potentially recurring safety defect. A vehicle that unexpectedly becomes immobilized in active traffic and cannot be shifted into Neutral to allow emergency removal presents an extremely serious safety risk to drivers, passengers, and surrounding motorists.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and surging forward, and the engine power was reduced, causing the vehicle to decelerate. The contact depressed the brake pedal and turned on the hazard lights to move to a safe place, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. After parking the vehicle overnight, the vehicle was started; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer cleared the fault codes and advised the customer to change the high-pressure pump if the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact researched and found information about Technical Service Bulletin: N242450160, the federal safety agency ID Number: 11009677 (Fuel/Propulsion System); and contacted the manufacturer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Brakes · OK

I had just come back from [XXX]. I just gotten off the highway was turning to go home went to break and I could not depress the break on my dashboard. It said brake assistant failure or brake assistance. Something I was 2 miles from home. I had two babies in the car. I had to drive it 2 mph because it was after dark and there was no way to get anybody out there to get me home or to tow it anywhere. It was the most terrifying experience in my life had this happened on the highway we would’ve been dead. Prior to this there have been no issues with my breaking. My brakes are in good shape. There is some kind of failure in this car. My engine check engine light came on the brake assistant light came on warning the little icon on your dashboard and I could not break now my car is parked in my driveway. I have no secondary car and I am so upset about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Reduced Speed" was displayed. The dealer was contacted, and a diagnostic test was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with Product Emission Recall : N192271200. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · ME

Roughly 6 months ago, the check engine light came on in my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS, which had under 20,000 miles on it at the time. I purchased an OBD scanner to run a diagnostic test, which came back with error code P04FB (Crankcase Ventilation Hose Connection Pressure Sensor Issue). I called the dealership that sold me the vehicle, and they ran their own diagnostics. They encountered the same error code, and ended up replacing the "faulty" crankcase ventilation pressure sensor, which was covered under warranty. Less than a week after they replaced the sensor, the check engine light came back on. I re-ran my OBD scanner, and it showed the same exact error code as before. Basically, the sensor was replaced, but the issue has not been resolved. I've been keeping tabs on GM's bulletin regarding this issue (which is apparently a known issue), and I'm concerned about the fact that there haven't been any recent updates regarding a fix. GM's own recommendation to dealerships is to simply clear the error code and return the vehicle to the customer... I can clear the code myself, but that certainly does not prevent it from coming back. At this point, the error code has been cleared at least 10 times, and it always comes back within a few days of clearing. This becomes a safety issue because we are quickly approaching the Winter months again, and the temperatures get very cold where I live. When the check engine light is on, my car fully prevents me from using the remote-start feature. I'm unable to remotely start the car from both my key FOB, and from the MyChevrolet app. Thank you for your attention to this matter. My hope is that GM's engineers find a real solution to this problem, and quickly! Because, as I said before, this has been an ongoing issue for many months, and I've yet to see any meaningful movement from GM on this issue.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle misfired and hesitated. The vehicle momentarily lost power, during which it would not accelerate or brake. Power then returned, and all vehicle functions resumed. The contact stated that during the failure, the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the dealer reprogrammed the vehicle; however, the reprogramming did not resolve the failures. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

Vehicle engine "sputtered" last night on the roadway, made it home then car would not restart. Repair engine light warning came on at time vehicle engine "sputtered". Vehicle will be at Dyer Chevrolet in Vero Beach, Florida on 10/19/2026. Fuel pump module is not providing fuel to engine resulting in engine not starting - See the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V013000

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · IL

My 2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT has experienced repeated failures involving the braking system and electronic safety systems. While driving, multiple warning lights illuminated, including ABS, BRAKE, check engine, traction control, parking brake, and “Steering Assist is Reduced – Drive with Care.” Most concerning, my brakes became extremely hard to press, and the vehicle failed to slow down or stop as expected. This malfunction placed my life and the safety of other motorists and pedestrians at serious risk. The unexpected loss of normal braking ability could have resulted in a major collision, especially while approaching an intersection or traveling at higher speeds. Apple Chevrolet has inspected my vehicle multiple times for these recurring issues. Previous diagnostic testing identified communication-related trouble codes involving the braking and electronic control systems. General Motors Technical Assistance was involved. Despite previous repairs and being told my vehicle was safe to drive, the problems returned. My vehicle is currently at Apple Chevrolet for its third service visit involving related concerns. GM is involved and dealership technicians are working with GM technical personnel to investigate. The problems began earlier in the vehicle’s ownership, with a check-engine warning appearing around 6,249 miles. Additional braking and electronic safety warnings subsequently developed. The most recent incident occurred at approximately 8,266–8,283 miles. I purchased this vehicle brand-new in March 2026. It has already required three dealership visits, and I have been without reliable transportation for at least nine cumulative days. I am extremely concerned that this recurring safety defect has not been properly identified or repaired. I am requesting a thorough investigation before this malfunction causes serious injury or death.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Fuel system · NY

While driving down the road, the car started sptting and spittering and eventually died in the middle of the road. Check engine light did come on. We were able to limp the car to the closest repair shop and they ran a diagnosis. The low pressure fuel pump and the fuel control module had to be replaced. Resulting in a bill of 1164.39. Some 2021 and 2022 equinox has a recall for this same exact problem. GM Safety Recall N222372310 (the federal safety agency 23V‑013) After the removal of the old fuel pump, the part number was checked with the recall and it did not match what was recalled. Old P/N 813026069. Part is on hand until a final resolution by GM. Repair invoice available upon request. This problem is a safety issue and could cause an accident and or bodily injury.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KY

1. The telematics control module failed and was replaced by the dealer under recall N262547330, along with the battery. The vehicle is available for inspection. The original module was kept by the dealer when it was replaced. 2. The vehicle went completely dead without warning — it could not be unlocked or started. It happened at home, but had it happened on the road I would have been stranded. The keyless entry also no longer works, so I cannot reliably get into the vehicle. 3. Yes. The dealer confirmed the telematics module failure and replaced it, and replaced the battery. The ongoing problems — failed software updates, "no cellular signal" message, check engine light, and keyless entry failure — have not been diagnosed yet. 4. The vehicle was inspected and repaired by [XXX] Chevrolet GMC in [XXX]. GM's customer resolution team is involved in the case but has not physically inspected the vehicle. No police or insurance inspection. 5. The navigation/GPS was glitching intermittently before the vehicle went dead in August 2026. The last successful software update was XXX — every update since then has failed. The check engine light came on at pickup on XXX. The "no cellular signal" message appears every time an update is attempted. The keyless entry stopped working recently. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Chevrolet Equinox check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Chevrolet Equinox?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine stalls while driving, sudden loss of power and excessive oil consumption, and the codes they mention most are P0010, P0011 and P0700.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (138 complaints), 2013 (113 complaints) and 2010 (109 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Chevrolet Equinox?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,400 (median of 104 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Chevrolet Equinox?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history