Chevrolet Equinox fire or smoke problems

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · CT

The transmission failed while driving on about 11/2/2025, with myself and a child in the car. It was since fixed at a dealer and is not available from me for inspection. I lost the ability to accelerate normally. I stopped at a stop light then when I accelerated to enter the intersection it did not accelerate as predicted and I got stuck entering the intersection. There was a burning smell. Another motorist helped push the car to the side and there was a large transmission fluid spot on the ground and leaking. The dealer confirmed a sudden transmission leak occurred, and transmission components were damaged by lack of lubrication and associated heat. There was no warning. My research revealed this is a known problem with this car and other GM models with this transmission and there is an internal service advisory about bolts that loosen and sudden transmission failure. I confronted GM Customer service on this and they reimbursed less than my cost for rental and gave an extended warranty on rebuilt transmission. I had asked for a new one.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Brakes · 1,100 miles · CA · crash · fire

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the parking braking activated, and smoke and flames were coming from both the rear wheels. The contact used a bottle of water to extinguish the flames. During the failure, the maintenance icon was displayed. There was no injury sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was advised to notify the insurance company of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · MI · fire

The vehicle was taken to College Chevrolet for body work. . When the vehicle was at the body shop, the shop informed me that a turbo light was on but I am unsure when it appeared because it wasn't on when I took it to the dealer. The brake assist light was on; I noticed this about May 20, 2026. I parked the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the body shop on June 1. The body work was completed on June 9 and the vehicle was at my residence. My Ex-husband and son were coming to pick me up at the car rental. The car caught on fire. My son & Ex-husband could have died in that car. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle hasn't been examined by anyone at this time. An insurance claim in in process.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine · AZ · fire

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for Technical Service Bulletin TSB #: 19-NA-065. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward; the driver was able to pull over. While attempting to restart the vehicle, it suddenly caught fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. AAA was called, and the vehicle was towed to her residence. The occupant called 911, and the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was called, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Fuel system · TX · fire · 2 injuries

My wife and I were driving to Galveston on I-45 and were driving through La Marque when our car suddenly lost power. I started moving over to the outside lane and went to turn on the emergency lights. I realized the lights were already on. We heard a thump and thought that the serpentine belt had broken and that the engine would overheat, followed up by white smoke coming from the dash vents. My wife opened her window and leaned out the window while I tried to control the SUV without power. A truck pulled next to us and the passenger screamed that our car was on fire. I stepped on the brakes, but my foot went to the floor without effect. I hit the button for the emergency parking brake, but it didn't stop the car. I let the car slow down and then black smoke was coming from the vents. We were choking from breathing the smoke and I tried to open my window, but all electrical systems had quit working. The car finally slowed enough for me to shove the gear shift into park. My wife jumped out of the car and fell to the pavement, also hitting the concrete barrier on the side of the highway. My seat belt was stuck and I kept pushing the button and reached for my pocket knife to cut the belt when it released. At this point, flames were coming from the vents when I reached for the door handle and open the door. I fell out of the car onto the highway, rolling away. I was finally able to get up and saw several vehicles stopped behind us, but some were still driving through. I got away from the car and found my wife who was being helped by another man who stopped ahead of us. The car was on fire, mostly from the back, heavily in the left rear where the gas tank is. The car was completely burned and an unknown retired firefighter said all of the signs point to a defective fuel pump.

Filed Dec 16, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · UT · fire

When I was driving down the street, I noticed smoke coming from the hood then flames . I parked off to the side of the road and open the door and took off running away from the vehicle. Loosing everything clothes, phones , jewelry important documents. I paid off the vehicle. Was happy that for once in my life I did something good until that happen so please help on what to do . I know I didn't pay off the SUV for nothing.

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Engine · MO

The high pressure fuel pump leaking into crankcase and leaking gasket the fuel in the oil was so much it lit on fire.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Engine · KY

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the turbo charger failed to operate as designed, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that excessive pressure was needed to depress the accelerator pedal. The message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed due to a low coolant level. Additionally, the contact was adding 2-quarts of engine oil to the vehicle weekly. The contact stated there was oil on the ground underneath the vehicle. While checking the oil level, the contact saw smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact was made aware of the Special Coverage Program, the federal safety agency ID Number: 10171426 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Air Bags, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the year vehicle was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the oil line connected to the turbo charger; however, the oil leak persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL · fire

Coming home from a trip without any warning our 2016 equinox scared me when it made a terrible sound lost power and stopped working. We’re 100’s miles away from home on the side of a road in the dark. We called for towing to a dealer payed for a hotel waited till the next day for it to be looked at. Told the engine was blown that the timing belt and everything in there was bent and in pieces 10,000-12,000 dollars to replace. Mind you this car is a ltz and very well talking care of. Without fixing it it’s worth 1000.00. Shame on gmc we should have been notified about issues. This happens at 80,000miles No warranty. I actually thought it caught on fire. Gm step up and take care of your life long customer that have owned Chevy always.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NE

The vehicle is leaking oil from in between the engine and transmission I am some bit mechanical and im sure its the rear Maine seal leaking yes the vehicle is available for inspection im taking it to H&H chevrolet [XXX] for a inspection I talked to Christian brothers repair and I told them what it was doing and they told me alot about my vehicles problem and gave me some Estimates and also said they have 2 in there shop right now needing the same repair...How was my safety or the safety of others put at risk? well me and my family went out to get a few groceries and it was -25 outside and we almost didn't make it back home because the car was not wanting to drive.if it had died we would have been stuck in dangerously cold weather.no warning lights came on I only found it was leaking when I started to smell burning oil so I looked under it and there was a small puddle of oil. this happened Monday [XXX] and the car hasn't been drivable since it sounds fine but I don't know we haven't moved it since we got it home. this is really inconvenient this vehicle is my only means of transportation to work and I never thought on a car I purchased brand new it would ever blow a rear seal I have heard many other having these problems and I still can't understand why this isn't a recall this is a very expensive problem to just be put on people financially. i hoping GM can resolve this for me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)