While Chevrolet’s compact utility vehicle has been at par with the best SUVs like the Mazda CX-50 or the Honda CR-V in the automotive business today, there have been concerns that continue to linger around ever since the automobile debuted back in 2005.
Just like the Blazer, which is actually its next of kin, the Chevrolet Equinox has its share of great runs and low years in the consumer market. Oddly, the former was on its way out at the same period when the compact car came off the assembly lines for its initial production.
Despite all the mechanical troubles hampering the SUV from General Motors, extensive research has shown that the car can be depended upon to engage in short drives and long-distance trips. However, prospective buyers may still need to be aware of the Chevy Equinox years to avoid.
2005-2007 Chevy Equinox
The initial fleet belonging to the first generation has been saddled with cases of varying flaws. In addition to heater failure, which included a lack of front window defrosting, and airbag malfunction on the passenger side, the automobile was also hounded with poor scores in safety evaluation.
The fact is the rating for the Equinox was unremarkable when it fared badly during a crash test initiated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a US-based non-profit firm. The presentation involving the seats and body restraints was abysmal.
The compact unit presents a competitive package with its five-speed automatic transmission plus a front-wheel drive with a choice to upgrade to the all-wheel version. As it turned out, the introductory showing was quite dismal for an automobile that is equipped with an exceptional 3.4L V6 engine with 185 horsepower.
The marginal flaws during its maiden year may have been stressful for GMC but being one of the prominent pioneers in the industry, the rollout portrays an approach that is particularly interesting and groundbreaking.
SUV production during this period has been based on the unibody platform which means that the manufacturing process focused on one frame to work on its corresponding specifications. The Equinox became the primary automobile from the Chevy division to churn out the single-piece approach.
2010-2017 Chevy Equinox
Although Chevrolet managed to unravel improved models over the next couple of years, their technical deficiencies would soon resurface in 2010. Problems have been associated on several occasions with its 2.4L I-4 engine which was launched in support of the initiative on fuel economy.
This time around, the faults to contend with ventured around an increased energy consumption and safety capacity. One pronounced setback that emerged pointed to the poor mechanism of the automobile’s Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) design.
The truth is, this period turned out to be crucial judging from a serious mechanical disturbance that led to some critical engine damages. Too much oil on both the E85 and the non-E85 machine editions during this stretch resulted in lubrication insufficiency.
What made matters even worse is an investigation spearheaded by the US government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which sought a thorough inspection of all Equinox models due to concerns regarding wiper failure.
On the other hand, the V6 engine of the Chevy compact has been spared from the disparaging failings of the four-cylinder edition although news about timing chain shortcomings has also been reported between and 2012.
The sizable dilemmas, which hammered the market progression of the Equinox, may have made life miserable for the compact utility unit but, in the long run, it only turned the vehicle into a trusted and better brand. By 2018, the entry of the third-generation Chevy has displayed a very limited number of cases regarding mechanical issues.
Common Problems
Early on, the automobile’s perplexing pains of birth have zeroed in on issues associated with oil leaks and defective engines. Considering that both the first and the second generations of the car had to deal with such complaints, it is quite evident that Chevrolet rather took a considerably long time to plug in the holes of its product.
Front control arm issue
A primary disturbance that has been felt especially by the 2005 model is the annoying sounds of a seemingly broken control arm. The front part of this component has brought an obvious rattling ruckus whenever the compact vehicle passes over the humps.
Extreme oil use
Given the extensive effect of those concerns, the Chevy Equinox years to avoid have unveiled troubling revelations into the depths of its machinery especially on the transmission side. On a closer look, the flawed structure of its main seal could be the main source of trouble.
Through the years, the compact unit struggled with extensive oil utilization. Many car owners shared that the pervasive setback led to reactions or ramifications ranging from unsettling engine shakes including piston rings that go bad due mainly to the excessive amount of oil that seeps underneath. Such manifestations have usually occurred in the 2010 to 2013 models.
Late acceleration
Any delays in engine response while driving can inch closer to disastrous situations. Given the calculated movements occurring in open routes, functional mechanisms that do not execute well will lead to certain accidents.
In this case, first-generation Equinox owners have experienced losing the functionality of a reverse gear while many others shared about the gears of their respective automobiles taking a slip. This gap during the acceleration process can likely be traced to the drag in the throttle body.
Faulty airbags
A problem usually shared by the pioneering batch of the Chevy and its succeeding class has been attributed to defective airbags. In separate instances, several deaths have been reported due to the explosion of this safety device upon impact.
This disturbing scenario is related to a transgression that caused an outrage in the United States where an unstable ammonium nitrate caused the inflators in the airbags to blow. The issue further turned disparaging when close to thirty people were killed separately across the globe due to the metal fragments bursting inside the vehicle.
Battery pitfalls
The Equinox wasn’t spared from experiencing yet another common trouble that has hounded numerous automobiles over the past decades. Battery concerns, even with those new ones, have become a persistent and lingering nuisance for many drivers.
This pitfall has been prevalent across all Chevy models. Utility vehicle owners have experienced an array of frustrating situations involving technological devices. Failures range from non-functional USB ports to irregular or erratic sound manifestations of the Bluetooth-driven audio system.
AC compression failures
A disconcerting air conditioning unit inside the compact vehicle from GMC has been added to the list of troubles for the said automobile. Affected parties have complained about the inability of the cooling device to soothe out the extreme weather condition.
Indications of freon leaking and hot air blowing have been reported time and again among drivers of the 2011 Equinox edition. Experts have pointed out that the main cause could be attributed to a busted air conditioning compressor.
Uneventful Stretches to Learn From
Tackling the Chevy Equinox years to avoid may seem to hurt the acclaimed reputation of General Motors but the misfortunes of the past decades have catapulted its prized compact within reach of the leading figures in the utility vehicle industry.
Alarming oil leaks and distressing engine faults plus an array of defective safety measures, among others, have propelled Chevrolet to institute the necessary improvements and bring forth an enhanced automobile that can be relied upon for years to come.
Also read: