Chevrolet Equinox won't start problems

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

My 2025 Chevrolet Equinox AWD would not start, and the wheels were locked, preventing the vehicle from being moved normally. Message on HUB screen stated "System Error. See dealership to restore operating system." The vehicle had a little over 14,000 miles at the time. Had to be towed in. When the vehicle first went to the dealership, they found that the battery had critically low voltage. After consulting with GM Technical Assistance, the dealership replaced the battery. Even with the new battery, the vehicle still would not start and the wheels remained locked. The dealership then replaced the brake control module per TAC guidance. The dealership told me the vehicle started after the module was replaced and the locked wheel issue was resolved. The vehicle was at the dealership for more than 30 days. In a separate earlier incident, while I was driving on the freeway at approximately 75mph with my young child in the vehicle, the Equinox downshifted extremely hard and lost all electronic functions. This incident happened twice in one trip. I am including this incident as a prior safety history. I am asking the federal safety agency to review the no-start and locked wheel incident and the dealership's repair findings for a possible safety defect.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Transmission · IL

I request a safety investigation into the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and its inability to shift into Neutral when disabled. At about 11:30 PM, our Equinox ran out of fuel shortly after the low-fuel warning. The engine would not restart, and we could not shift into Neutral to push it out of the roadway. Our children were with us. We blocked the road for approximately 30 minutes. Fortunately, traffic was light; on a highway, the danger could have been severe. I am concerned that a no-start condition can leave drivers stranded in active traffic lanes without a readily usable emergency Park-release procedure. I do not know whether this reflects a defect or a design limitation. Our vehicle is available for inspection. I am attaching screenshots of several other owners' public reports about 2026 Equinox vehicles stalling or failing to restart at traffic lights, stop signs, or on highways. Multiple owners report being unable to shift into Neutral and needing a tow. One describes being stranded on a highway without a shoulder for three hours. These reports are not independently verified, and the causes may differ, but they highlight the same potential danger. As this model ages, failures that prevent restarting may become more common, making an accessible emergency Neutral procedure especially important. A vehicle immobilized in a live traffic lane could be struck from behind, causing serious injury or death. I contacted Chevrolet, but received only a general sympathetic reply, not an explanation of how to move the vehicle safely. I have not had this issue inspected by a dealer. Please investigate whether the emergency Park-release provisions adequately protect occupants and other motorists when a 2026 Equinox cannot restart.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · OH

I was driving down the road in the car came to an abrupt stop. It would not start it just stalled out and we cannot get it to start. It will turn on via the battery, but the engine will not turn on. My children were also in the car during this time as we were driving through an intersection on a busy street.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Fuel pump control module.Crank no start. Service engine soon light. U18A2 code sent to Onstar. Inspected and confirmed by dealer. Vehicle is currently sitting at dealer that I purchased it from and out of service until repaired.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

The fuel injector module had to be replaced. My car stall while driving and I was stuck at work for over 2 hours waiting to be towed home. I work 40 min from where I live, so there was no getting back home without a tow. The car would not start because it was showing that I had no gas, when in fact I had a half a tank. Had to pay $264.50 for my car to be towed home from work. I would like to be reimbursed for something that happened from the factory. I am attaching the receipt.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Fuel system · MI

Car sputtered and stalled when starting for work, but then started, I kept it running while I dropped my daughter off at school and went to work. Car sputtered and would not start, leaving me stuck at work. After attempting to start a few times, my check engine light came on. Then received an email saying my car had a critical safety issue from OnStar. Had to wait over an hour for a tow to the Chevy Dealer. Waited another 6 days for it to be looked at. It was a faulty fuel pump modulator, which was recalled for some VINs but not mine. If it stalled while I was driving, it would've caused a wreck.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

While driving, the car began stalling, and the info window said to shift to "neutral" and restart the vehicle. Attempted this, and the car just stopped in the middle of the street, unable to move it to the side. The info window started saying "no fuel" and I was unable to restart the car to move it off the street. Had to call my local mechanic since there is no Chevy dealership in my area. The car was towed to the shop, and diagnosed with the "Fuel pump power control module" failure. The part was replaced, and the mechanic was still unable to get the car to register fuel in the gas tank. They took it to the closest dealership, and the dealership also was unable to clear the codes and sync it. At this point, the mechanic put the old part back on, and the car still wouldn't start. The mechanic ordered yet another fuel pump power control module, and this time the car would sync and register the gas in the car. As of today, the car is running. (Unable to upload a copy of the bill at this time due to tech issues with your website. I can provide this when your website is working again)

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Fuel system · MD

Wheat attempting to enter 40mph traffic from a side street stop sign the Equinox did not accelerate and the engine stopped. There was no warning of a problem. The car would not start and I received a message the a p129f error was detected and it was a critical error. It also said !fuel management system schedule service now. I also received a text that said "Diagnostic alert: Service the engine and transmission system in your 2024 Equinox immediately." I waited 3 hours for a tow and the car was taken to the local Chevrolet dealership where it was serviced. My grandson was with me at the time. I felt fortunate this did not happen while on the highway, or while pulling into the traffic. The fuel module was replaced. I was assured it was replaced with the newest module and computer updates. I am very concerned this will happen again based on what I have read. The car milage was 17,537 when the failure occurred and was covered under warranty.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Fuel system · WV

I was driving in town at normal speed getting on entrance ramp to XXX in [XXX]. As I made my turn the car engine stopped working. I pulled over to the side of the ramp. The car would not start. I called a tow truck and had it taken to my mechanic. He diagnosed it as a failed fuel pump module. He also said that this car had been recalled in 2023 and the fuel pump module replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NM

While driving, my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost power and shut off without warning while I was pulling into traffic. The vehicle would buzz not crank afterward but would not restart. This created a safety hazard because the unexpected engine shutdown occurred while the vehicle was in motion. This is the second brake vacuum pump failure I have experienced with this vehicle. In 2022, the brake vacuum pump failed and was found shattered internally. At that time, the engine continued running, and the pump was replaced. During this most recent incident, the brake vacuum pump failed again, and the internal end of the pump broke apart. I replaced the vacuum pump and removed the broken pieces I could access, but the vehicle remains in a crank/no-start condition. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealership or independent repair facility. However, after seeing the shattered pump components, a couple of mechanics I know expressed concern that the broken pieces may have affected the engine timing. That has not been confirmed. The failed pump and replacement parts are available for inspection.