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.
Chevrolet Equinox key fob problems
34 of the 9,236 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Equinox describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 34
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 37,112
By model year
- 20261
- 20253
- 20232
- 20211
- 20202
- 20194
- 20183
- 20171
- 20161
- 20132
- 20122
- 20113
- 20101
- 20086
- 20061
- 20051
Often reported together
Door locks 7Headlights 3Won't start 2Stalling 2Check engine light 2Steering lock-up 1Engine failure 1Grinding brakes 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P04FB 1
What owners say
my 2026 equinox is having an issue with the blind spot warning on my driver side mirror will either say on or flash. this is regardless of driving, or being parking. i have washed my car, checked my sensor, and i am still having issues. the dealership does not see any issue with the car, however, while driving at night, this is such a distraction because i'm constantly checking my mirror to make sure there's nobody there. there was one day, i had open my trunk from my keyfob, in the house, and when i walked up on the driver side of my car (the car was turned off) it beeped and when i looked over, the blindspot light was on and flashing.
Ever since we’ve had the 2019 Chevrolet equinox which was purchased in 2019 from Capital Chevrolet in Montgomery, Alabama, the seats and the side mirrors both will not stay programmed. The dealership kept telling us there was nothing wrong and kept telling us how to program the seats and the side mirrors, per key fob. This was done over and over and still did not work. every time the vehicle is cut off and when the vehicle is re-entered we have to reset the side mirrors and seats every single time. The vehicle is no longer under warranty, but we were wondering if there would be any way to have it fixed free of charge. Or if you have any idea on what we can do to make the settings work properly. Please advise. I have listed below my email address, my cell phone, and my home number. Thanks, [XXX] [XXX] my email [XXX] cell [XXX] home INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The car automatically brakes when nothing is in front of you and all of sudden it slams on its breaks. This is going to cause someone to rear end you. The steering is all over the road and does. It feels safe to drive. Transmission gets stuck and revs really high until it catches and they say nothing is wrong. Safety sensors go off all the time and nothing is near you. Key fob not detected, multiple awd issues
Telematics module stopped working out of nowhere and drains my battery to my vehicle. Had to have the vehicle towed to nearby dealship. Huge safety hazard as it is essentially the brains to my computer. App doesn't work without it, battery doesn't work and can't even get inside vehicle with key fob. Please issue recall.
I was following my usual routine with my young child. I unlocked the vehicle, secured him in his car seat, then placed my bag (containing the key fob) inside the vehicle. I then closed the door and walked to the driver’s side to enter the car—as I do daily. However, when I reached for the door, every door was locked—including the trunk—and the vehicle would not respond to any button pressing, handle pulling, or proximity unlocking. My child was locked inside the car on a 92-degree day with no way for me to gain access. I immediately called emergency services. Both police and fire arrived quickly, but due to the design of the locking system and the placement of the lock buttons, they were unable to use their unlocking tools. Ultimately, they had no choice but to shatter a window to rescue my child, who had been trapped for 25 minutes in extreme heat. This malfunction could have led to serious injury or worse. I’m extremely shaken and concerned that this happened at all—especially considering I had the key fob in the vehicle and never manually locked the doors.
Electronics continually work in a “muted” manor. Not enough heat from the seat, steering wheel etc. Park assist and cruise control disengage on their own. Infotainment screen fails to recognize key fob and reboots radio. Entire camera system frequently goes out with an error that no cameras are even hooked up. HVAC system runs way too cold. Blower cuts out. Random vents will work, others don’t or struggle. Zero airflow out of the rear vents. Excessive water drips out of vehicle from several spots while either minimal or no exhaust coming from tailpipe. Sometimes exhaust comes from under the hood. Transmission shifts when it shouldn’t and doesn’t when it should. Grinding sensation from gas pedal upon accelerating. Very sluggish. No power. Rpms reach 3000-4000 trying to accelerate down steep inclines. Gravity is no match for this vehicle. Long shifts cause vehicle to remain in a state of constant braking. Getting only 18 mpg. Can’t maintain speed. Every shift is felt in pedals and steering wheel. Pulls to different sides after each shift. Power steering much too tight and difficult to turn. Numerous times fuel has failed to reach the engine. Not having control of acceleration, steering and no winter warmth is dangerous. At best. It’s downright deadly. DePaula Chevrolet will do absolutely nothing. GM corporate was also no help. This vehicle is destroying me financially and cost me my job. These problems have been happening daily since two miles after I left the lot on the date of purchase.
I intended to pull the vehicle behind my RV using a tow dolly. I loaded the vehicle on the tow dolly per the owner’s manual and left the key fob in my RV. After about 15 mins, we began our trip and the vehicle pulled behind without issue. About 10 miles down the road, I stopped to check the securement straps to make sure they were still tight and I also needed to check the steering strap to make sure it was still tight as well. After doing so, we proceeded down the road for a very short distance (approx 100 feet or so) when we noticed smoke behind us. We immediately pulled over and observed that the rear tires were locked up by the emergency brake setting on the vehicle. We tried several times to get the vehicle to release the emergency brakes, only to have the emergency brake reset on its own after pulling the vehicle forward only a couple of feet. We ended up taking the vehicle off the dolly only to discover that the two rear tires had already been ruined by flat spots on them. Come to find later, by reading on the vehicle forums of our particular year and model, that others were experiencing the same issue. It was discovered through reading the forums the vehicles electronics need to go to sleep (approx 10-15 minutes) before you can safely tow the vehicle. This makes sense to me now, because we had no issue when we first started on our trip. The issue didn’t occur until we had to get into the vehicle using the key fob. My main concern here is that this should be included in the owner’s manual as part of the steps or at least a cautionary to tow on a dolly. This is definitely a safety issue, as the tires could have blown or started a fire if I continued down the road without notice.As it stands, I will be required to purchase two new tires to replace the rear tires that only had 2,000 miles on them. I made contact with Chevrolet customer service on 11/13/2023 to advise them of the issue and they should consider including more detail in the owner’s manual.
On Wednesday 10/18/23, the "check engine" light on our 2013 Equinox came on. My husband had been noticing a rattling sound for a few days prior and planned to take the car in on the upcoming Saturday. On Thursday evening10/19/23, he was about to leave for his 2nd job when the car died as he prepared to back out of the driveway. He took my Pilot to work. On Friday 10/20/23, the Equinox was towed to our mechanic who, after running a diagnostic, recommended having it towed to a Chevy dealer and we did so. Hours later, the dealer's service manager called to say the key fob key has become detached in the transfer and they would have to order a new one before assessment could begin. A $350-estimate for that portion was begrudgingly agreed to with the understanding that auto workers are on strike and ... On Tuesday 10/24, the Chevy service manager called to say their department went ahead and used needle-nosed pliers to try to diagnose it w/o waiting. It was late determined that the system was "out of time" which I later learned meant that the timing belt was skipping or something asking other technical things. Bottom line: a new engine is the only fix at a cost of $12k for a car we've only had 8 years. It's KBB value is far, far less. We are now stuck with a worthless car and no way to fix it. Please advise.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be started without the key fob inside the vehicle. The key fob was at the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,071.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick 1‑800‑521‑7300, and GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Recall number 16V502000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Equinox key fob
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (6 complaints), 2019 (4 complaints) and 2011 (3 complaints).
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