2010 Chevy Equinox keeps dying- NEED HELP!!!! They cant figure it out!!
I have a 2010 Chevy Equinox I purchased used w/36k miles on it, GM "certified" & balance of factory warranty. Unfortunately lemon laws in Va don't apply to used vehicles. 3 times now it has died while driving it. The 1st time I was towed to 4 transmission places before someone actually scanned it & told me I had to go to a chevy dealer. Not wanting to wait another 2 hrs for a tow truck again, I unhooked the battery & limped it to the dealership. They had it from Fri until Mon afternoon & told me since I "cleared the codes" by unhooking the battery & rebooting the computer there was nothing they could do to help me. It shouldnt happen again, it may have been a "fluke". So they gave me a list of all the chevy dealers on my route home in case I had the problem again. Drove fine for 2 mos then it happened again, on an interstate again. This time I had it towed in & they replaced a manual shift detnet lever w/shaft position assembly. & said the same thing, I shouldn't happen again.
It DID this time I almost got run over by a loaded log truck as I coasted to the side of the one lane road (construction area). Every time it happens it starts to run rough, them I push the gas, it wont even rev the engine, check engine light comes on & "service stabiltrak" the exact same thing happens every time!! I called GM this time. They towed it in, explained that I would have to pay a diagnostic fee...AGAIN 125k miles was "high mileage" they could not authorize a loaner car, & please be patient while they try to figure it out. 5 DAYS LATER & still no vehicle, no answers. The dealership I took it to said they have been so busy with recalls they wouldn't be able to look at it until Wed (Today) I had it towed in Sat AM and this happened on Friday.I call GM everyday, call the svc dept every day & keep being told to be patient. This is an ongoing issue, 3 times in the less than 2 years I have owned the vehicle.
I do not feel the vehicle is safe, and am starting to lose any confidence in GM as a whole., the "mechanics" etc.
I know it is some kind of computer issue but really need help from anyone who has had the same issue & need to know how it was fixed & what GM did, if anything, to assist. I called GM today & asked for a technician but getting anyone other than the woman telling me to "be patient" is getting frustrating.
Comments
Intermittent problems can be tough to diagnose because the equipment isn't hook up at the exact moment of the incident--being able to freeze data "real time" would be a big help to the mechanic. Some problems don't even throw codes.
So, they have to drive the vehicle in order to diagnose? I suppose they-GM doesn't understand that being without a vehicle for now SIX days is a major problem! I don't have the luxury of a "back up vehicle in case something happens to this one" They tried driving it to try to duplicate the issue last nite. nothing. What I can't understand is why on earth they have all the diagnostic machinery, gm tech support etc cant find or fix an issue. I have been doing research & finding out this is an issue that is ongoing. Surely they would have some idea of where to look. I am most certainly NOT going to drive it again in hope it happens again & pray they can somehow figure it out. Next time I may not be so lucky. I guess my question to GM today will be "How many folks have to get hurt or die until they figure out how to fix this issue" I if am told it can't be diagnosed... (kind of like a Dr saying too bad about your broken arm but I don't know how to fix it so just live with it & hope it gets better).... possibly I'll suggest they swap vehicles with me & THEY, some GM exec, can drive the darn thing....if it is so safe to drive.
Just picked up the vehicle, I am now a crash test dummy. I have a "flight data recorder" in it. If it starts the same symptoms, I am to hit the red button. (I call it the panic button) so it can record what the vehicle is doing. GM will do nothing until they have the codes. I was given the option of renting a car until they can get it to act up or drive it until it does again. I will continue to persue with GM as I doubt I am the only the with this issue.
If anyone else has had the same issues I really am curious to know what, if anything was done to fix the vehicle & what caused it.
I understand your frustration. I was a mechanic for 35 years. Seen just about everything. But with these new cars and the computers, if it is a computer or software/senor issue, sometimes they can be a real tease.
IMO the best thing you can do is play along with the recording device. I've used them a few times and have found them to be very helpful in chasing down intermittent issues.
Good luck
so, I have been the crash test dummy for a month now & it quit AGAIN!! Stranded on the side of the road for 2 hrs waiting for the customer care tow truck to get there, they NEVER showed up!!, I finally rebooted the computer by unhooking the battery & limped it home. Called GM again & they say they are having it picked up & towed in.
Even though the lemon law may not work, you may want to talke to a lemon lawyer anyway. There may be a warranty claim you can use. Usually the "intake process" with a lawyer is free.
Hi lakegal,
We are sorry to hear this! I see you have been in touch with GM already. If I can offer any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach out to me via email at socialmedia@gm.com Attn:Andraya.
Best,
Andraya
GM Customer Care