Chevrolet›Equinox›2011›Overview/chevrolet/equinox/2011/base/

2011 Chevrolet Equinox

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Equinox.

Body SUV

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is an SUV requiring 5 quarts of 5W-30 viscosity engine oil. This model year recorded 780 total owner complaints and three recalls, with the engine cited as the top complaint area. Within the model's 2005-2026 history, the 2011 version sits near the peak of 784 complaints seen in 2010 and significantly above the 2026 low of 58.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-65R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12690386 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	23335811
Spark plug	12681658 alt 12681660
Battery	88866309 alt 88866291
Front wiper blades	19432580 alt 19432579
Serpentine belt	12634319 alt 12636138
Thermostat	03522676 alt 12622410
Cabin air filter	20901295

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.6 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	112.6 in
Curb weight	3929 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Equinox of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2012 LTZ V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	LT 2.4L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ V6 3.0L V6	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	264 hp	FWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.50 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.0 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10.3 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	NVG900: 11.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	NVG900: 18.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.080
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.06 in / 0.72 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 100

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 100 ft. lbs., step 3: 150

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep M11 Bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 34

15–22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox sits at the crest of a sharp reliability spike in this generation: after only 94 complaints in 2009, the count jumped to 784 in 2010 and remained essentially unchanged at 780 in 2011, before beginning a gradual retreat to 682 in 2012 and fluctuating around 747 in 2013. That makes 2011 one of the two most complained-about model years in the entire record, tied with 2010 in complaints, recalls (3), and investigations (3). Engine issues dominate the 2011 docket with 217 complaints, followed by visibility/wiper (59), power train (57), and air bags (36), though the data does not specify root causes. With 30 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints on file, the federal record flags this as a comparatively troubled year. Because 2011 is at the top of the complaint curve rather than on the downslope, it is not a standout year to buy; a shopper should either budget for careful inspection and possible engine or powertrain-related repairs or consider a year with a lower federal complaint count.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1767

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

780

Owner complaints

30 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 780 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine217

Visibility/Wiper59

Power Train57

Air Bags36

Power Train,Engine33

Unknown Or Other26

Electrical System22

Engine & Engine Cooling22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact…

14V447000Seats:Front Assembly:Power AdjustReported 23/07/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1767 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Equinox. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt Engine oil filter 12690386 Engine air filter 23335811 Spark plug 12681658 Battery 88866309

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Equinox take?

5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Equinox have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.