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Chevrolet Equinox loss of power problems

410 of the 9,236 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Equinox describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
410
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$3,000
typical mileage
77,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 146Stalling 84Engine failure 49Oil consumption 45Fuel pump 40Power steering loss 25Won't start 19Jerking 19

Trouble codes mentioned

P2135 4P0299 4P0089 4P2138 3P228C 2P00C6 2P0014 2U18B4 1U18A2 1U1524 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IN

2020 Chevrolet Equinox, approximately 84,453 miles. On XXX, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic braking/mechanical failure. The brake system lost power assist. Following physical inspection, the insurance adjuster documented that an internal brake booster/vacuum-related failure caused loss of brakes and excessive vacuum on the engine, resulting in internal engine failure requiring engine replacement. I subsequently learned of pending federal litigation, [XXX] et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. XXX concerning an alleged brake vacuum-pump system defect in 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. I am reporting my vehicle because the failure involved loss of braking assistance and catastrophic engine damage and appears potentially consistent with the failure pattern alleged for these vehicles. 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 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 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · RI

Vehicle Safety Complaint — 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT I am reporting a potentially dangerous safety defect involving my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT equipped with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. While operating my vehicle on a public roadway, it suddenly lost power and stopped functioning without advance warning, creating a dangerous situation for myself and other motorists. The vehicle had to be towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership. I received no prior recall notification, and my VIN did not indicate an applicable recall. The dealership informed me that the fuel pump recall applied only to 2.5-liter engines. I am concerned because General Motors has published fuel pump control module recall campaign N262558690 and technical service bulletin 24-NA-139, both of which list the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The service bulletin specifically describes engine stalling and loss of power. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether my vehicle experienced a related defect and whether the affected vehicle population should be reviewed. I can provide the dealership’s diagnostic findings, repair records, towing documentation and any additional information requested. Also too. Since OnStar equipment in radio and car did a remote update this summer this failed other components and softwares believe it killed my battery i had to replace, everything electronic since then have going downhill. I experienced this recall last produced, Chevrolet lied to me, my car has been fixed for now but my vin should be entered in database. Chevrolet is telling people its 2.5 motors when clearly it states my make and model it happened and they dont make 2.5 motors for equinox class. This dealer is scammish or Chevrolet is hiding potential recalls. Im just waiting for another electronic to fail and another false answer. We will see? My situations are real and pose saftey concerns. There is a report police filed cause they towed it.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Engine · OH

"Brake vacuum pump seized and shattered, sending metal debris into engine via camshaft. Vehicle lost power and would not restart – towed to dealer. Dealer found metal debris in oil fill (photo available) and quoted $2,101 for camshaft/vacuum pump and $9,480 for engine assembly – total $12,493.83. This is identical failure to class action Thieme et al v. GM for 2018-2022 Equinox 1.5L. Safety risk – loss of power brake assist and sudden stall. RO 449922 Dave White Chevrolet Sylvania OH since 10/2/26. Known defect not under recall."

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Fuel system · 109,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. While the contact’s pregnant wife was driving down a hill at approximately 62 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle experienced the failure a second time and was then parked on the side of the road. After shifting to park(P) the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was later towed to a nearby storage facility. AAA later examined the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V013000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Complete and sudden failure of Transmission involving the clutches (clutches are burned up inside the transmission). No warning or dash lights. Confirmed by mechanic and the solution is transmission replacement ($10,000). Car would not accelerate and began losing power on highway. After I exited the highway, the car would not engage gears and stopped accelerating resulting in having to push it out of the roadway and get it towed to my mechanic for diagnostic.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Engine · CO

Vehicle began sputtering suddenly while driving 40mph. "Reduced Engine Power" warning appeared on dash. While trying to limp it home, the vehicle died in the middle of a turning lane. Pushed vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to a shop. Their notes attached below. Technician Notes: Customer concern verified with DTCs P0014 (Exhaust Camshaft Position System Performance) and P0017 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible). Upon removing the exhaust cam position sensor, metal buildup was found. The vacuum pump failed, breaking the keyed driveshaft on the cam and causing the metal buildup. Recommendation: Replace the vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft with timing chains, or consider replacing the engine. Same catastrophic failure as many others have reported due to the vacuum pump seizing up. Metal shavings throughout motor now, likely ruining the whole motor.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine · MO

We changed the external fuel pump, we changed the oil cap to the vented oil cap, We changed the oil 2x within 2 days, once trying to get it by until we could get the new fuel pump on,and once directly after and still had issues. Losing power and getting stranded while trying to cross a busy highway is terrifying, 100% —it is an extreme, life-threatening safety risk.I returned the vehicle and took a heavy financial loss, The fact that this dangerous car is back with a seller means someone else is going to buy it, This report could prevent a fatal accident. We have seen multiple of these same vehicles all over places like facebook marketplace and on the side of the road. They are dangerous vehicles and I've heard multiple accounts in which even your dealerships dont know how to fix it. I believe you have a responsibility to consumers to pull these cars from use and make it right to all who have not gotten what they paid you for buying this car from you. Thank you for your consideration, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Chevrolet Equinox loss of power

Which Chevrolet Equinox years have sudden loss of power problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (55 complaints), 2010 (38 complaints) and 2013 (34 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Chevrolet Equinox?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 39 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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