2023 Chevrolet Equinox: What to check before buying

Sudden loss of power at highway speed is the dominant complaint. The check engine light comes on with an "Engine Power Reduced" message, and the car drops into limp mode, sometimes unable to top 20 mph. Some stall and won't restart, which leaves drivers stranded in traffic waiting for a tow. Dealers usually blame the high-pressure fuel pump, with failures reported around 28,000 to 60,000 miles. Some replacement pumps fail again within months. Owners note the recall covers 2021 and 2022 models but not 2023. Repairs often stall on part shortages, in one case for four months.

The car loses power at speeds of 45 to 65 mph, often while merging or on busy highways. The check engine light comes on, and the car may stall and take several attempts or a long wait to restart. Dealers and independent shops diagnose a failed high-pressure fuel pump, sometimes with the feed pipe. Failures cluster around 37,000 to 39,000 miles. One repaired pump failed again about five months later. Some cars sit unrepaired because the parts are unavailable.

The brake pedal sinks to the floor while driving, and stopping power drops sharply. Check engine, brake, ABS, and ESC warnings light up, sometimes with a "Brake System Failure" message. One report links this to a crash at very low mileage. A dealer traced one case to a defective ABS valve kit, and owners report weeks of waiting on backordered parts. Separately, owners who flat tow the car behind a motorhome describe the brakes locking, tires smoking, and the car sliding in turns, even with the manual's setup steps followed.

Infotainment faults are the most common complaint here. The screen freezes or reboots, the audio emits loud noise, the backup camera image appears while driving, and blind-spot sensors stop working. One dealer cited a service bulletin, but no repair was offered. Other reports describe the car not starting, or shutting down while driving and restarting a minute or two later, with loss-of-communication codes dealers can't resolve. There are also isolated reports of a battery that won't hold a charge, water leaking into the rear floor and fuse panel, and a trunk that unlocks in park.

Stalling and limp mode repeat the fuel system pattern. The car jerks, loses power at highway speed, or shuts off at idle and at stoplights, and some cars resist restarting. Several drivers describe near rear-end collisions. Dealer codes point to low fuel rail pressure, fuel pressure regulator faults, and a lean fuel trim. Fixes include a new fuel pump, injector, and fuel pipe, plus ECM updates. In some cases the failure returns within days of the repair, and some owners report breakdowns four times.

Nearly every complaint here comes from owners who flat tow the car behind a motorhome. In tight or banked turns like cloverleaf ramps, the tires screech, smoke, and smell of burnt rubber, and the RV feels tugged. In-car video shows the steering wheel shaking hard. Handling returns to normal once the turn ends. Owners say they follow GM's towing instructions and bought the car for this purpose. GM cases have been opened, but no fix is reported. One complaint lists broad electronic, climate, and shifting faults.

Vibration and loud noise at 35 to 40 mph show up soon after delivery. Dealers can feel the vibration but often can't find a cause, and some owners report repeated visits with no answer. One dealer eventually reported torque converter slippage. Another owner is still waiting on GM. One complaint in this category is unrelated and describes an air recirculation button that never worked.