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2012 Chevrolet Equinox

146 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 6:30 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Equinox, SUV

    

Messages Page 6 of 16

#42 of 146 Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power by waterviolet

Sep 24, 2012 (8:32 am)

I'd love to say I'm happy about my 2012 2LT AWD Equinox but after 3 months of ownership imagine my shock as I was driving down the highway at 65mph only to feel the vehicle reduce power and flash warnings at me. Abruptly and after cruise cut out I could hardly reach 45-50 mph on a busy highway during my morning commute to work. My vehicle flashed the warning to "Service Stabilitrak" and that I was now "Operating On Reduced Power" with the check engine light lit. Needless to say, I drove straight to the dealership!
 
After reading these forums it appears to be a reoccuring issue with many GM vehicles and I can't believe it's ongoing! Covered under warranty or not, I'm saddened to be put through a situation where I have to worry over something of this nature when driving a brand new vehicle. I'm hoping the dealership will be able to correct the cause but again I'm concerned I'll be visiting the service department repeatedly for something which appears to be a defect arising in many models of GM vehicles.
 
If you are reading this and have had similar issues - have any of you found a permanent solution? I've read replacement of the throttle body helps, avoiding car washes which could douse various sensors in the underbody and even gas pedal replacement to changing fuses and replacing an onboard computer. In any case, this is not a very positive first impression of owning my first brand new Chevrolet vehicle (I almost went with a Toyota!).

#43 of 146 UPDATE: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [waterviolet] by waterviolet

Sep 24, 2012 (9:34 am)

Replying to: waterviolet (Sep 24, 2012 8:32 am)
Service Dept just called. They said they couldn't even pull up codes for the issue that I'm experiencing and he test drove it and it didn't happen to him. It never happens to them! I guess I won't put much faith in my engine when it comes to passing on the highway and considering highway is all I drive I'm a little hesitant! And now winter will be on the way...AWD and Stabilitrak is supposed to make me feel more secure!

#44 of 146 Re: UPDATE: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [waterviolet] by ray80

Sep 24, 2012 (10:48 am)

Replying to: waterviolet (Sep 24, 2012 9:34 am)
I believe the reduced power message is to allow you to limp it back to dealer without doing any potential damage (thats a good thing). Since the dealer is going to have trouble fixing something that they can't recreate or find a code for, I would look back a post or two and open a case with GM customer service (send Sarah an email with the info she always requests). They may be able to work with dealer (and perhaps others) to find a solution.

#45 of 146 Re: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [waterviolet] by gmcustsvcsarah

Sep 24, 2012 (11:40 am)

Replying to: waterviolet (Sep 24, 2012 8:32 am)
We're sorry that you're having these troubles with your new Equinox, waterviolet! It looks like you're already working with your dealership on this, but if you wanted for us to check into this further we're available to do so. Please email us at socialmediagm.com with more details (including your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership).
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#46 of 146 Re: UPDATE: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [ray80] by waterviolet

Sep 24, 2012 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: ray80 (Sep 24, 2012 10:48 am)
Thanks ray80. I didn't mean to be a Debbie Downer but it's an awfully hard pill to swallow when you purchase a new vehicle and with it having less than 4000 miles on it I'm having issues which could potentially spell disaster in the coming winter months. I will definately contact Customer Service as from what I've read of other occurances, this event is bound to happen again.

#47 of 146 Re: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [waterviolet] by jpf

Sep 25, 2012 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: waterviolet (Sep 24, 2012 8:32 am)
You may want to check out the Impala forums. This seems to be an issue with that model. There is an entire discussion dedicated to the issue under the Impala forums. Unfortunately, stability control is one of those mandatory government safety features now required on new vehicles. I purposely bought an 07 Uplander last year without the Stabilitrak to avoid this issue. Another silly government requirement that adds cost to new vehicles and additional headaches to car owners when it fails. Tires with decent tread life and driving the speed limit avoids the necessity of most stability control systems. My 2 cents worth. Good luck.

#48 of 146 same issue THREE TIMES by jessicas6977

Sep 30, 2012 (8:16 pm)

I have had my 2012 equinox 1lt since November 2011 and have 11800 miles on it. I was driving my car on the highway at about 65 miles an hour and almost instantly lost all power, warning lights galore were going off including the stabilitrack. This was Thursday. The dealership couldn't take my car until Tuesday. After 9 days without my car, they finally got it back to me saying they replaced parts within the high pressure fuel aystem. 5 days later it did it again. They weren't able to reproduce anything after having my car for another 5 days. They gave my car back to me. I had it for another five days and more warning lights. I am frustrated. I am scared to drive my car. I didn't invest in something to be terrified of it. I am at a loss!

#49 of 146 Re: same issue THREE TIMES [jessicas6977] by gmcustsvcsarah

Oct 02, 2012 (6:56 am)

Replying to: jessicas6977 (Sep 30, 2012 8:16 pm)
Good morning jessicas6977,
 
We're sorry that you are frustrated and frightened with your Equinox, and that it's been difficult to nail down the cause of this problem with the dealership. If we can check into this situation further with you, please contact us via email at socialmediagm.com (include your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and approximate mileage, and the name of your dealership).
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#50 of 146 Re: UPDATE: Service Stabilitrak and Reduction of Power [waterviolet] by waterviolet

Oct 12, 2012 (7:44 am)

Replying to: waterviolet (Sep 24, 2012 9:34 am)
This morning it happened again. This time, I drove straight to the dealer WITHOUT shutting the car off thinking it needed to be reset. This time, I went from 68mph to 60mph in a drop of the hat on the highway. I was able to keep up that speed until waiting at a stop light on an exit ramp which from that point onward I could only accelerate to 20mph. I still had all the same lights and warnings as before, Operating on Reduced Power, Service Stabilitrak and Service Engine light. This came 2 days after receiving a call about my previous service for the same issue and being advised by the awesome Customer Service Rep she was going to research it some more. She understood my reservations on passing vehicles while driving my normal highway commute - so TWO big thumbs up to Customer Service! Fortunately, there was a cancellation and the Service Department was able to take a peek at my array of lights and warnings. I'm not sure what codes they came up with but they just called to tell me they will be replacing the High Pressure Fuel Pump. I have high hopes this will help but it's still concerning on a vehicle which now has about 4500 miles on it. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!

#51 of 146 Re: same issue THREE TIMES [jessicas6977] by waterviolet

Oct 12, 2012 (8:00 am)

Replying to: jessicas6977 (Sep 30, 2012 8:16 pm)
You are not alone! I too am a bit frustrated but overall my reservations with this vehicle is the feeling I have driving it. I lack the sense of security I once had before these issues started to arise. It's very concerning especially when my daily commute involves highway driving with no passing lane and now winter will be upon us in a flash! The reason I purchased the vehicle was to have the security and power I need! These forums have been a priceless fountain of information on this issue when it comes to the exact problems we are experiencing. For now, I will go along with the High Pressure Fuel Pump replacement the Service Dept tells me I need but I will not trust 100% this will not happen again. Various other reasons have been sighted for this issue, including the accelerator pedal, on-board computer, etc. In fact, this very thing happened to my co-working on her 2005 equinox (they replaced the computer). In any case, log everything, take pictures if you have to and talk to your Customer Service Rep. Don't back down...this is how things get corrected and we need to provide them with all the feedback we can!

Messages Page 6 of 16

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