Vehicle has been presented for service multiple times for a recurring P050D – Cold Start Rough Idle condition. Due to the repeat nature of the repair, Fleet is requesting that the concern be treated as an unresolved/repeat repair and that the underlying cause be fully diagnosed rather than clearing the code or repeatedly addressing symptoms. Please review prior repair history and document previous repairs, current diagnostic findings, root cause, corrective action, and cold-start verification before returning the vehicle to service. Repaired on 10/23/2026 at Chapman Chevy - Recall Campaign N262547330-02 Telematic Control Module Reprogramming
Chevrolet Equinox misfire problems
115 of the 9,236 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Equinox describe misfire or rough idle, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 115
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 55Stalling 45Oil consumption 29Engine failure 18Fuel pump 15Loss of power 12Hesitation 12Jerking 9
Trouble codes mentioned
P0300 4P0172 2P0011 2P0010 2P2227 1P2135 1P050D 1P0299 1P0191 1P0171 1
What owners say
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.
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power accompanied by severe engine shaking, reduced acceleration, and a lit Check Engine / ESC light. The vehicle was towed to a technician who diagnosed a complete dead misfire in Cylinder 4. Upon detailed inspection, the ground electrode/tip of the spark plug had broken off inside the combustion chamber while the engine was running. The free-floating metal fragment severely gouged the piston crown and scored the cylinder wall, resulting in a total loss of compression and catastrophic engine failure at just under 51,000 miles. This unexpected engine failure causes an immediate and dangerous loss of motive power while operating in traffic, creating a severe crash hazard for passengers and surrounding motorists. This issue appears to stem from a known component defect (GM Technical Bulletins PIP5657C & 21-NA-255) related to premature spark plug failure and low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) in the 1.5L turbo engine.
Component Failure & Availability: A GM remanufactured 2.4L engine block, installed as a replacement in July 2025, suffered a catastrophic internal failure (blown head gasket) within 11 months of installation. The vehicle and the component are currently in the owner's possession and are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: A blown head gasket with an internal coolant leak into Cylinder #3 causes immediate engine overheating, severe engine misfires, and a loss of motive power. If this defect causes the engine to stall while the vehicle is in motion, the driver suddenly loses power steering and acceleration, directly compromising the safe operation of the vehicle in traffic. Confirmation by Service Centers: The catastrophic failure was formally reproduced, pressure-tested, and confirmed by an independent service center. Inspection by Manufacturer/Others: Following the independent confirmation, the vehicle was inspected by an authorized manufacturer dealership. During this inspection, the authorized dealership executed an unauthorized teardown of the engine block and sublet the engine head to a third-party machine shop, physically altering the failed component prior to manufacturer review. Warning Lamps & Symptoms: A check engine light illuminated shortly after the engine's initial installation. The authorized dealership evaluated the vehicle, reset the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and released the vehicle back onto the roadway without properly diagnosing the warranted engine block. This allowed a defective and degrading powertrain component to remain in operation until failure occurred.
Possible O2 sensor. Engine misfired, bucking under acceleration, engine light flashing and auto hold system shutdown. Upon pulling out into traffic, I hit the gas and this happened, which was a risk to me and other drivers as I could not accelerate properly. I am taking my car to Reedman Toll on July 13. I can reproduce the problem every time I heavy accelerate.
I was heading home from my vacation with my lady and had cruise control on and then all of a sudden my Rpms shot through the roof and then a flashing check engine light showed up and a message that said “acceleration reduced drive with care” when I took it to the dealer they told me it was due to the side object detection system malfunctioned and caused that issue then today I felt the car idle weird so I hooked up a scanner and it’s got a misfire on cylinder 2 and 4
On way to [XXX] car started hesitating stop at Oreily’s they hooked up said 3rd cylinder was misfiring took to Bruner Chevrolet I told them what the read out said on the 3rd cylinder misfiring they said catalytic converter was messed up and changed it out drove car home still hesitating went back to Bruner Chevrolet I asked them about the recall on the fuel injector module they said my car was not on the recall said it needed the spark plugs and fuel injectors maintenance they did all that then they test drove the car engine light came on said the fuel injector needed to be replaced cost me 866.33 for all this what I want to know if the fuel injector module wasn’t working properly would it cause all of this my car only has 40,800 miles on it INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The Fuel pump module was a recall under N222372310 - Safety Recall in 2023. This recall was complete by a dealership. The recall fuel pump module assembly It was replace July 2023 with part number Fuel Pump Module 84782007. On April 13, 2026 (33 months later) the car would not start, if it did start it was stall and die. When it also run rough if it would start, then die again. I had to have the car towed to the dealership. The dealership said the fuel pump module was out AGAIN! The exact same problem the first recall was suppose to correct did not solve the problem. At this time there is not a new recall on this matter. The part that replaced the original fuel pump module did not solve the problem. The replacement part appears faulty as well. Had my car ben in traffic or on the highway it is possible I would have lost all power to the car which could have resulted in crash.
Burns Oil so bad I don't need to change oil. I put about a quart of oil in it a week. Car runs rough. Sometimes overheating and sounds loud when low on oil. This occurs on a consistent regular basis since aquiring in October 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle experienced severely rough idling before it stalled. The contact believed that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) was the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Equinox misfire
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have misfire or rough idle problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (24 complaints), 2011 (22 complaints) and 2012 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix misfire or rough idle on the Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 13 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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