Wiper problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox - part 1

69 problems related to wiper have been reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox based on all problems reported for the 2011 Equinox.

1 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2026

Wipers have stopped working, have had it repaired twice and they keep quitting.

2 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2026

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the windshield wiper was activated, the windshield wiper arms detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

3 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2024

Joint on the front windshield wiper assembly failed. Was driving in a 4 lane highway doing about 70 mph while it was raining. Windshield wipers stopped halfway through the movement they sat for a moment they moved to as far as they could go towards the driver side and that’s where they stayed. The driver side one was over the edge of the vehicle. I followed tail lights turning onto a side road, pulled over safely. Moved the wipers to a down position, there was no resistance. Checked the fuse and that was fine. Waited a bit for the rain to settle a bit and drove to a safer location. Once off the highway and away from traffic when turning the windshield wipers on I could hear the motor still going so knew it was an issue with the arms. I had been on the road for about 2 hours all major highway with still over 2. 5 hours left of my drive when they failed. We had to trailer it home as it was not safe to drive with the amount of rain we were getting. Replaced the motor and arm mechanism when we got it home and saw that it was one of the ball joints that broke. There were no warning lights, we have the old parts if needed for inspection, this looks to be the same issue as the recalled parts on the 2014-2015 Equinox.

4 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/18/2023

The wipers stopped working on the highway pouring down rain.

5 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2023

The windshield wipers and yes, available at anytime for inspection. I was traveling hwy 80 and the wipers stopped working completely in a downpour of rain at 70 mph. I could not see and could not even follow the rear taillights in front of me to stay in my lane. I put my right blinker on and slowly moved to the slow lane in order to take the next exit off the highway. Had to travel over the highway on the overpass and needed to turn right. Couldn’t see detail so ended up running over yellow barriers then made it to the right turn and was barely able to make out a driveway which was a starbucks. Stopped to confirm wipers would not work and to move wipers by hand to clear windshield. Every 4 or 5 blocks had to stop and get out to physically move wipers by hand to clear rain water from windshield in order to drive further. It was so dangerous, I could of easily caused accidents for others and myself and also could have been fatal! next time you’re on the highway, close your eyes and keep driving-it was the same and scared me to the point that I was shaking!!! thank god I didn’t have my grandkids with me!!.

6 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/05/2023

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact pulled over and waited until the rain stopped falling before continuing to drive. The dealer was contacted and stated that an unstated bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 114,000.

7 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2022

Driving on the highway while it was raining and I had my wipers on and all of a sudden they stopped working. Wipers aren’t moving at all but can hear the motor turning. Assuming it’s in the wiper trans/linkage assembly.

8 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 10/20/2021

The windshield wiper linkage disconnects when the windshield wipers are placed on the highest setting causing me to not be able to drive in the rain.

9 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 10/19/2020

While driving in rain, in the left lane while passing a truck at 65-70mph, in the dark, the driver side wiper arm clicked a few times against the a-pillar then ceased working. Fortunately the passenger side wiper continued to function.

10 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/08/2020

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working. The driver's side wiper blade was bent over the driver's side mirror and caused the vehicle to veer off the road into a grassy area at the apartment complex. There was no crash reported. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the VIN. The contact was told that she would be called back in two or three days. The contact referenced an unknown NHTSA investigation about windshield wiper motor transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

11 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2020

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The windshield wipers failed while driving 65 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the wipers transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the warranty was extended but was over the mileage for the repaired and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000. Aw.

12 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2020

Driving on the highway during high downpour. Wipers reached the end of the sequence and stopped. Had to pull over in pouring rain and high traffic, causing major concern and a major safety event.

13 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2020

Wiper linkage failed in heavy rain while driving on interstate.

14 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2020

Driving in pouring down rain and windshield wipers stopped working. High safety concern.

15 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/08/2020

While driving in heavy rain on a highway my front windshield wipers simply stopped functioning in the up position causing an inability to see where I was going. They did not respond to repeated attempts to try to turn them back on. This created a very dangerous situation where I had to do my best to safely pull off to the side of the highway. My hazard lights also failed to work making the situation even more dangerous. Both wipers and hazards where previously working.

16 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 02/18/2020

I heard a pop and then my wipers stopped working while I was driving at night completely in the rain. I could hear the motor but the wipers wouldn't move. I had no visability whatsoever. I was on the highway.

17 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 11/23/2019

Windshield wipers stopped working during downpour when driving down highway. Motor still work but wipers not moving.

18 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2019

I was driving on the road at about 55mph and my windshield wipers completely stopped working. They got stuck in the middle of the windshield and the motor made sounds as if it was working but the windshield wipers did not move. It was raining and we had to pull over because it was very dangerous.

19 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/11/2019

I was driving my 2011 Chevrolet Equinox home on weds September 11, 2019 in a torrential downpour on the 696 freeway in metro detroit. I was going approximately 50 mph, slower then the speed limit because of the downpour, and I had my windshield wipers on the fastest speed. Without any type of warning my windshield wipers stopped working. The driver's wiper had moved past the windshield so at first I thought that was the culprit. I pushed the wiper back onto the windshield (while driving), but the wipers remained stationary and no longer operated. Still on the highway in the downpour I had to maneuver off the nearest exit, surprisingly without incident, and parked in a subdivision until the rain stopped. The wiper transmission assembly was replaced.

20 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2019

Most recently was driving in heavy rain and the windshield wipers just stopped working in the upright position, and visibility was extremely impaired. Had my granddaughter with me, they had to roll down windows to help me get safely off the road. This vehicle has had problems with the fuel system in 2015, air conditioner quit working in 2014, failed oil consumption test in 2016. I bough a new car because in didn't want mechanical problems and this vehicle has had nothing but problem after problem. It is a lemon.

21 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/02/2019

I was driving on an interstate during a heavy down pour at night when the windshield wipers quit working. They were stuck in the up position and no longer moved. I immediately lost all visibility due to the rain which could have potentially caused a dangerous situation. I had to park my vehicle for the duration of the night and wait to get it in the morning while it was no longer raining.

22 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2019

My wipers stopped working while driving on the freeway in the pouring rain. They will not work now. I was forced to drive 60 miles without them, in the rain. It is not the fuse, I checked.

23 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/11/2019

While driving the vehicle on the road @ 55 mph in the pouring rain with the window wipers working, the driver's wiper moved past the windshield and became wedged against the driver's window. While driving I opened the driver's window and pushed the wiper back on to the windshield. The wipers were stationary on the windshield and no longer operated. I drove 10 miles in the pouring rain without any wipers. When I arrived home, I could move the wipers by hand. I could hear a scraping metal sound.

24 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2019

May 22nd 2019 it was reading a lot, as I was driving, my driver side wiper went up and started there, as the passenger side continued working. When this happened, I heard the snapping of the bar. Thank god for rainx. I ended up adjusting the wiper blade to make a "euro" wiper, then just replaced the wiper transmission all together.

25 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/12/2019

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 40 mph, the front windshield wipers failed. The contact had to drive home slowly in the inclement weather. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1000,000. The VIN was unavailable.

26 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2019

I was on my way back 1 hour into a 5 hour trip from washington DC to new york. It was pouring rain and the traffic was moving approximately 55 mph. I had 3 kids in the car with me. Suddenly, with no warning, my windshield wipers flipped off of the drivers side and stopped and would not go back on. I could see nothing. It was terrifying. My kids and I are lucky to be alive today. Fortunately there were short breaks in the rain so I was able to pull off the highway and park in a safe place, had the vehicle towed and was informed that the wiper transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. There are so many reports on car gurus about this issue. Same year, same make model, as well as other years.

27 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/10/2019

I was driving down the road traveling at 65mph in the rain when my windshield wipers stopped working. The motor was working, stating that it was heard. The wiper transmission on the other hand had stopped. The plastic bushings were loose and snapped off. This will be the 3rd time replacing them in the last two months. Going to change the whole system now.

28 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2019

The windshield wiper transmission failed while driving in heavy rain. A plastic bushing broke and caused the failure. After researching problem, I found this to be a common problem in several model years of the Chevrolet equniox.

29 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 02/18/2019

Windshield wipers stopped working while driving. Check engine light comes on while driving and oil runs out well before recommend oil change and no low oil warning lights come on. Car burns a lot of oil and makes a loud noise from engine but told that this is normal for this brand.

30 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/11/2019

Tl - the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the windshield wiper transmission failed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Jc.

31 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2019

First Equinox owned - gm replaced engine at no cost to me. Thought it was safe to purchase another Equinox. Own a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox fwd 2. 4 liter engine. Excessive oil consumption; stalling while at stoplights, etc. ; engine light comes on frequently; multiple wheel hub assemblies replaced; wiper transmission replaced; clattering noise within engine that cannot be fixed per mechanic; stablitrak and abs lights on; limp mode several times. Have spent many hundreds of dollars to fix. Going to gm for complete engine replacement. 126,600 miles at present. Purchased 9/8/2016 with 80,437 miles.

32 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/14/2018

Windshield wiper motor link breaks whenever I use my wipers and then I need to replace. Has happened multiple times. Excessive oil consumption. Oil is empty after no more then 2000 miles. Need to add 4 quarts to refill. No leaks.

33 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 11/24/2018

While driving in a heavy rain storm my vehicles windshield wipers completely lost function. Luckily I was close enough to my home to take a couple back roads and drive very slowly with almost no visibility due to loss of wiper function. This occurred on a city street with high standing water and was being operated at about 25mph. My vehicle year is currently under investigation for recall by the NHTSA for the ball joint assembly rusting and breaking. In the mean time I am currently trying to figure out how to conservatively repair the vehicle.

34 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 11/09/2018

Tl the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. While the contact was driving in inclement weather, the windshield wiper motor fractured. The contact was able to replace the windshield wiper motor. The contact also stated that at 80,000 miles, the timing chain fractured and caused major damage to the engine. The vehicle was repaired by bill fox Chevrolet (located at 725 s rochester rd, rochester hills, mi 48307, (248) 266-0563). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

35 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2018

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the wipers failed to function properly and seized. The contact was able to coast off the roadway due to the failure. The dealer joe bowman Chevrolet, 2455 e market st, harrisonburg, va 22801, (540) 908-2809 was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed yet. The dealer indicated that the vehicle was not included in any recall campaigns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000. Dyd.


Other Visibility related problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox


Equinox Service Bulletins
Equinox Safety Recalls
Equinox Defect Investigations