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.
Chevrolet Equinox warning lights comes on
56 of the 9,236 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Equinox describe multiple warning lights, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 56
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 46,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 16Loss of power 10ABS 9Stalling 8Oil consumption 7Won't start 4Power steering loss 3Fuel pump 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P3055 1C0045 1
What owners say
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.
At around 7k miles while driving the brakes and steering suddenly stopped working and all warning lights came on including check engine light. The dealership said it was the main brain and the fixed it. Then last Thursday night while driving on the highway my brakes stopped working suddenly and all warning lights came on again. It is at the dealership now and they are now saying the problem is the BCM. I’m honestly scared to drive on the highway now. I’m really scared someone will get hurt or killed from this vehicle if it happens again.
I am submitting this on behalf of my daughter, [XXX] . On Friday, May 8, 2026, [XXX] was traveling southbound on Highway 89A approaching [XXX] . Highway 89A is a narrow, winding two-lane canyon road with limited shoulder and significant elevation changes. While still on the canyon road, her 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost all power, including power assist to both steering and brakes. A sudden loss of power steering and brake assist on this road presented a serious risk of loss of vehicle control. Fortunately, she was able to get the car stopped off of the roadway. However, she was then unable to place the car into Park or shut off the ignition. Multiple warning lights were illuminated across the instrument cluster. Her roadside assistance plan towed the car to the nearest repair facility, where on Monday, technicians were unable to replicate the issue. A previously stored DTC P3055 was found in the diagnostic system. This code relates to a known and documented issue with Chevrolet Equinox vehicles, for which Chevrolet has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins, including TSB 21-NA-139, which identifies the Multifunction Power Supply Converter (GM Part #13510484) as the known culprit for this failure mode. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The illuminated dashboard, center control console, and headlights suddenly turned off while the vehicle was in motion during a dark night. The blackout lasted approximately 10 seconds and I was unable to see to keep the vehicle on the roadway. After running onto the unpaved shoulder, I was able to fully stop the vehicle without hitting anything. All of the lights came back on and the dashboard showed a message that said "Auto shutoff". Then everything returned to normal. This problem hasn't been reported to the dealer yet, but will be discussed during an upcoming service to correct one of the other problems that keep occurring with this vehicle.
VEHICLE INFORMATION Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox (Gas) Purchase Price: $46,000 In-Service Date: January 28, 2026 Current Mileage: 2,433 miles First Repair Attempt: Approximately 200 miles DEFECT DESCRIPTION (SAFETY-CRITICAL) The vehicle experiences intermittent but recurring safety system failures while driving, including: • Complete instrument cluster blackout (all gauges dark) • All warning lights and alerts disappear • ADAS / driver-assist systems shut down • System appears to reboot for approximately 15 seconds while in motion • Vehicle settings reset to default (vehicle systems, not radio) • Brake pedal becomes hard during these events • Stopping distance feels increased during braking events This behavior indicates a brake assist interruption and a loss of critical driver information while the vehicle is moving. REPAIR HISTORY SUMMARY • Vehicle has been in the dealership approximately 4–5 times for the same or substantially similar defect • Dealership has performed software updates • Dealership has replaced computer modules controlling the information center and related systems • The defect persists SAFETY ASSESSMENT Loss of braking assist (hard pedal with increased stopping distance) combined with full instrument cluster blackout while driving constitutes a substantial impairment of vehicle safety. This is not an infotainment issue.
Windshield glare is horrible. It can cause distortion of objects. It can cause dizziness. Especially on bright sunlight and when many lights from oncoming traffic reflect off the windshield. I have had to pull over a few times. The dashboard shininess is a real problem. The dealerships don’t want to order the free dash mat unless they “diagnose” it even though it is a known problem and they ignored my concerns when I went in to the dealership even though a free dash mat is offered by GM The fix for this in reality is a new dashboard that will end this problem but that is too expensive for GM. They all say to wear polarized glasses to help. Wrong. That’s like putting a bandaid over a gunshot wound. If they aren’t willing to fix this error I want them to buy me out cuz it’s not a small problem that could result in injury or death if not addressed. The 2026 models have a new dashboard that corrects the problem. This problem has caused me not feel safe and avoid driving sometimes and this is not acceptable to me.
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and decelerating to 50 MPH to switch lanes, the vehicle drove over an icy road surface and spun. The contact attempted to turn the wheel and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle crashed into the left guard rail, and the vehicle then crashed into the right guard rail and came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage. The air bags failed to deploy. Several warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The vehicle owner was occupying the front passenger's seat during the incident. A police report was filed. The tow truck driver transported both passengers of the vehicle to a gas station. Both the contact and her boyfriend were picked up from the gas station and were dropped to the residence by the brother of the vehicle owner. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact later had headaches, body soreness, and stiffness. The contact went to the Emergency room and was informed that she had sustained a sprained left rib, whiplash, and a concussion. The contact's boyfriend sustained a sore pinky. The contact stated that the insurance company was currently assessing the vehicle damage. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,500.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the power steering became inoperable. Several warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the front camera had failed and caused the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to speak with management and to file a claim. The approximate failure mileage was 8,300.
While driving today at about 21 mph, when a warning came on that my car had brake assist failure. It said the speed would be limited and to break hard to enable the car to stop.. I was able to get to a parking lot safely, but my car did not break at the stoplight and went straight through. Luckily there was no one coming.. my car is at the dealership now and they are finding no issue and nothing showed up on my Chevy app. From the articles I have read it said this issue is something that happens on cars that do not have super drive. I drive a 2005 Chevy equinox RS with super Dr. so clearly the brake problem is happening on this vehicle as well.. it took all my strength to get the vehicle to stop.. I called OnStar and was going to have it towed and turned the car off. Once the car came back on all of the warning lights were gone, and then the car drove fine.. I got lucky today, but this is an issue that still needs to be addressed.. The issue was supposed to be taken care of in 2024. I just purchased my 2005 in September and I have 3100 miles on the car.. I was driving in a rural area with many hills and was scared to death. I had to keep my foot all the way on the brakes the entire time to keep myself at a slow speed..
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 warning lights
Why does the warning lights come on in the Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners who report it most often also describe check engine light, sudden loss of power and abs light or abs activating, and the codes they mention most are P3055 and C0045.
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have multiple warning lights problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (8 complaints), 2025 (6 complaints) and 2006 (5 complaints).
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