2019 Chevrolet Equinox: What to check before buying

The brake pedal turns rock hard and the car will not stop, usually because the brake booster vacuum pump fails. It often happens with no warning light, at highway speed or in traffic. Several reports end in rear-end crashes or hitting walls, and some failures recur after replacement. Owners note that mechanics call it common and that no recall covers it. Some owners say the failed pump destroyed the engine. Reported failures range from 39,000 to 107,310 miles. Other reports describe false hard braking on cruise control and rear brakes dragging after long drives.

A loud pop, then a check engine light and a reduced power message. The charge air cooler tube or its clip comes off the throttle body under acceleration, often on freeways or climbing hills, and the car may slow sharply in traffic. Most cases appear in the first few thousand miles. Repeat failures after dealer repairs are common, and backordered parts kept some cars in the shop for weeks. Less common reports include turbo replacements, EVAP leaks with fuel smell in the cabin, timing chain engine failure, and two fires.

Electronics act on their own. The infotainment screen blanks and reboots, radio volume changes, mirrors move, and the sunroof or power liftgate opens and closes unprompted. More serious reports describe the whole car shutting off while driving, stalling with warning codes, and power brake assist failing after an auto stop. Door lock actuators fail and the tire pressure monitoring system stops working. Water leaking onto the rear fuse panel is also reported. One car caught fire after hitting a deer, and some vacuum pump failures are filed here.

The car shows a "Shift to Park" error while already in park, then will not turn off or restart and drains the battery. Owners say the dealer repair is costly and not covered. Auto start/stop is another theme: the engine fails to restart at intersections, or the car lurches as it restarts. Other reports describe hesitation from a stop, stalling, transmission failure, a faulty transmission control module, oil leaks between engine and transmission, and reduced power mode. One fire is reported.

Fuel leaks from the top of the tank and fuel smells through the vents are the main patterns. Some leaks appear only with a full tank in cold weather. High pressure fuel pump and fuel line failures leave the car unable to accelerate or stalling, and one report describes a snapped pump and leaking line. Owners also report the gauge never reading full, gas pumps shutting off during refueling, repeated EVAP codes, and shaking with sudden shutoff at stops. Several owners point to a prior recall.

The fuel tank leaks or its seam fails, causing fuel odor or fuel dripping near the tank. One car caught fire underneath at highway speed, and the owner traced it to the tank. Several owners link their problem to recall campaign 19V667000, but their VINs were not included. Leaks are reported at 89,000 and 229,000 miles. Separate reports describe stalling with a fuel system warning light and a no-start with a check engine light.

After long stretches of straight highway driving, the wheel sticks and needs a tug to turn. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, and owners say it persists for tens of thousands of miles. Other reports describe the wheel jerking left or right on its own, pushing the car toward the shoulder or oncoming traffic, even after multiple repair visits. Warning messages about the system also appear after a weak battery or jump start. One crash report describes the engine revving with the foot on the brake.

Power drops suddenly at highway speed, with a reduced power message and a check engine light, leaving the car slowing sharply in front of trucks. Adaptive cruise control brakes hard for no reason, sometimes when a car passes. Other reports describe stalling while slowing for lights, and one car stayed unrepaired through 7 dealer attempts. One crash report describes unintended acceleration while parking with the foot on the brake at about 15,000 miles.

In serious crashes, including a rollover and guard rail impacts, the front bags fail to deploy. These reports carry 5 injuries across 7 crash-related complaints. One owner reports non-deployment in three separate accidents. Another describes a deployed side bag catching fire and burning the driver. Two crash reports filed here actually describe brake failure and unintended acceleration rather than a restraint fault.