36 complaints reported

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
36
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
6

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the message to “Service Air Bags” was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,243.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2024
Jan 2024 Crash

The contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving up a hill on a 2-lane road at approximately 45 mph, an oncoming vehicle in the opposing lane had taken too wide of a turn and had entered her lane, to avoid a head-on collision the contact swerved into the guard rail. Upon crashing, the air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated before the crash. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and deemed a total loss. The contact has an appointment with a doctor to determine whether any injuries were sustained. Nobody outside of the vehicle was injured. A police report was filed. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,357.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2024
Jun 2023

There is a SB-10058723-5799, that addresses airbags. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox with 94k miles on it. The ‘service airbag’ error stays on the screen. I called Chevy to ask if I can bring vehicle in under SB 10058723-5799, and they told me my vehicle does not fall under this, AND they say the SB 10058723-5799 is expired. I asked they lady, so if the airbag deploys while I’m driving 65mph on the freeway, you’re not going to fix it under a recall that you say is expired. This makes absolutely no sense, and I believe it should fall under NHTSA’s special bulletin. Please help me. Thank you for your time.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2023
Mar 2023 Injury

Traveling at low speed in driveway. When the side airbags deployed for seemingly no reason. There was no collision, did not run over anything etc.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2023
Aug 2022 Crash Injury

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated was driving at approximately 35 MPH when another vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle and the contact crashed into the passenger's front side door. The contact stated that she was unable to depress the brakes and her vehicle began to climb the side of the other person's vehicle. The contact stated that the driver and passenger air bags and side air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle disengaged from the other contact's vehicle and rolled off the roadway onto a grassy shoulder and stopped. The contact had lacerations and bruises on her neck, and neck vertebrae injuries. Also, she had bruises on both arms and wrists and lower back pain. The contact did not know what injuries the other driver suffered. The contact was taken to the ER by ambulance. The contact's vehicle was towed to her residence where the other driver's insurance adjuster inspected the contact's vehicle and declared it a total loss. The vehicle had not been repaired, however, the contact purchased the vehicle back from the other person's insurance provider. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and had assigned an investigator to check the air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2021
May 2022

The airbag light stays on. It’s a known problem with this vehicle. Hundreds of owners online with complaints. I believe it has to do with faulty wiring under drivers seat. I’m scared the bag will intermittently inflate. GMC has to know about it. It’s happening on all the equinox vehicles. Thank you

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2022
Dec 2021

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ONE YESTERDAY 05/11/2021 BUT THEN TURNED OFF. IT WILL ALERT WHEN I START THE CAR AND INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Jul 2021

I HAVE A 'SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ' GOING OFF ON MY 2011 CHEVY EQUINOX. LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING IT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
May 2020

CHEVY EQUINOX WAS TRAVELING IN THE SLOW LANE ON HIGHWAY. SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY, NO CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2020
Aug 2019

MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON.IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 8 YEARS AGO. CHEVY HAS FIXED IT BEFORE NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT SHOULD BE RECALL ON THE CHEVY EQUINOX I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I START THE CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON.CHEVY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE CAUSE IS B0074-00 AND B0074-OD THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER A $1000.00 THEY KNOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2012
Jun 2019

TAMARA RECALL THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START MY VEHICLE AND STAYS ON FROM TIME TO TIME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND SCARES ME THAT IT MIGHT DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. I FEEL AS IF MY LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2019
Mar 2019 Crash

VECHICAL WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, VECHICAL WAS TOTALED. AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 50-60 MPH.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2019
Jun 2018

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEEDS TO BE SERVICED IT KEEPS SAYING AIRBAGS ARE OFF THIS LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME EQUINOX IS IN MOTION AND CONTINUES TO BEEP ALL THE TIME!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Oct 2017

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON UPON STARTING IT ONE MORNING , BUT HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 58,863 MILES ON IT. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Oct 2017

AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. DEALER FIXED IT BUT IT KEEP COMING ON. COMES ON WHEN I AM STATIONARY AND DRIVING. IT ALWAYS READ SERVICE AIRBAG.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2017
Oct 2017

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON SAYING AIRBAG MAINTENANCE. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2017
Sep 2016 Crash

TAKATA RECALL HIT ON DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND DOOR BUMPER LITES BENT THE FRONT WHEEL IN TOO THE MOTOR. JUST STARTED TOO MOVE FORWARD. CITY STREET GOING STRATE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2016
Sep 2016

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PASSENGER SEAT AND AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED OFF. THE SIDE 2 PASSENGER AIRBAG KEPT GOING ON AND OFF UNTIL FINALLY IT SHUT DOWN. HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HAS THE AIRBAGS HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. SAFETY ISSUE HERE NEEDS FIXING. MULTIPLE THINGS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER I HIT 50K MILES. TIRES LOSING AIR, PASSENGER BAG NOT WORKING AND SOUND GOING OFF AND ON.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2016
Aug 2016

SERVICE AIRBAG HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS; CURRENTLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" IS ILLUMINATED. I AM GOING TO ASSUME THAT MEANS THE PASSENGEER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND CHEVY NOR GENERAL MOTORS HAVE PUT A RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. DTC INCORRECT B0081 (RIGHT SIS INSTALLED) AND B0074 (PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR CIRCUIT) SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2016
Jul 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2016
Jul 2015

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ON 8/20/14, MILEAGE 29,548 FROM CARMAX IN GLENCOE IL. WE ALSO PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I WOULD CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CLEAR IT FROM THE SCREEN SO I COULD VIEW THE DIGITAL SPEDOMETER. I MADE A CALL IN REGARDS TO THE ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY FRUSTRATED AND CONTINUED TO DEAL WITH THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IN MAY 2015, MY FATHER URGED ME TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE HE FELT IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 7/1/15 WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE PLACE WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE AS OF 7/1/15 WAS 39,609 AFTER THEY TOOK A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTORS. ALTHOUGH THE PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR TO THE TUNE OF $250.00. I AM NOT SURE WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALWAYS GET SCREWED OVER :(

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2014
May 2015 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2015
Apr 2015

VEHICLE KEEPS SHOWING SERVICE AIR BAG AND MAKES A DIGGING NOTIFICATION NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2015
Dec 2014

CHECK AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED DEALER FOR APT ( TOOK 10 DAYS TO GET APT!). DEALER QUOTED $781 FOR REPAIR. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY - AIR BAGS NOT COVERED. IS SPECIAL ORDER PART, HAVE TO LEAVE CAR AT DEALER FOR 1 OR 2 DAYS FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM IS FAULTY CONTROL MODULE UNDER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AFFECTING ALL AIR BAGS. AT THE MOMENT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS ARE OPERATIONAL. DEALER IS DEL GRANDE DEALER GROUP (CHEVY) IN SAN JOSE, CA. HAVE LODGED COMPLAINT WITH THEM. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2014
Oct 2014

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF AND WON'T STOP DINGING. NO CRASHES, NO SUDDEN STOPS, 33,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE DEALERS EXPENSE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2014

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has 36 Air Bags complaints on file. 8 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.