2023 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Complaints

When flat towing behind a motorhome, per manual instructions, going on or off a highway ramp....cloverleaf, the tires will squeal like they are dragging. This does not occur every time, however 75% of the time it does. A very loud screeching, dragging or braking, pulling the motorhome down from 35mph or 40mph to 10mph. This is also noticed occasionally on turns from one street to another, however short lived by comparison. The dragging/slowing is unnerving and dangerous to suddenly slow down with no brake action by the motorhome. This has occurred on several trips this summer (2023). ****Several times this summer, most recent of 10/12/23. This car was purchased primarily because it states in the manual, it could be flat towed behind a motorhome. We are concerned that this may be damaging the vehicle and putting us and others at risk.

We bought a 2023 Chevy Equinox AWD specifically because it said it can be flat towed behind an RV. When towing it, we have noticed that when going around certain turns such as a cloverleaf on or off ramp, as you are in the turn, the tires start screeching loudly, you can smell burning rubber, and the RV feels like it's being tugged on by the car. As soon as the RV goes straight again, the screeching and tugging stop. This does not happen when turning a corner at a stop sign or stop light. We did not notice any warning lights on in the car after stopping to check on the vehicle. I feel this is a big safety issue for those driving/riding in the RV and also for other drivers around us as we do not know the stress this is putting on our Equinox tow connection setup, the frame of the Equinox or the RV hitch system. This issue is happening to other 2023 Equinox owners and we all have different RV's and various tow equipment setups. The common factor is the Equinox. I have not reported this to the dealer yet but plan to do so today.

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the infotainment screen failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the back-up camera image appeared on the screen while driving. The contact stated that the Blind Spot sensors failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed there was a Service Bulletin in reference to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no repair for the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not available.

MY 2023 Equinox owner's manual states that the Equinox can be safely flat towed behind a motorhome with all four wheels on the ground. I bought the vehicle based on this statement in the owners manual. However, when flat towing the Equinox behind a motorhome through turns such as cloverleaf offramp of freeways that have a banked side to the turn the brakes on the car lock and the car loses traction and slides. The Equinox tires make a loud screeching noise and the smell of burning rubber is noticed. This condition begins shortly after the Equinox enters the turn and ends once the Equinox completes the turn. This happens at or below the posted speed limit on these off-ramps. The loss of controlled traction of the Equinox in a freeway offramp presents a safety hazard because I can no longer ensure that the Equinox is moving in a controlled path. I am also concerned that the stresses being applied to the hitch of the motorhome and the structure of the Equinox from being dragged around a freeway curve may result in damage to structural elements of both vehicles that are designed to prevent disconnection of the car from the motorhome. This might result in a failure of the hitch connection resulting in a runaway vehicle. I brought this issue to GM's attention and there has been no fix to date.

The 2023 Equinox owner's manual states that the Equinox can be flat towed behind a motorhome with all four wheels on the ground. I bought the vehicle based on this representation for towing behind our motorhome. When towing thorough turns at certain speeds and of certain radius and duration, the Equinox tires make a loud screeching noise and the smell of burning rubber is noticed. This condition begins shortly after the Equinox enters the turn and ends once the Equinox completes the turn. A video camera inside the Equinox shows the steering wheel vibrating strongly left/right accompanied by the screeching noise, and the degree to which the steering wheel rotates during the turn is LESS than when the Equinox is driven through the same turn. (See video at https://youtu.be/vEMAQiKWW64?t=14). The driver of the motorhome feels a lagging or pulling sensation against the motorhome, as if the Equinox is applying its brakes throughout the turn. I am concerned that a vehicle that applies its brakes while being towed through a turn is a safety hazard to those in the motorhome and to other drivers on the road. It may be causing unknown damage to components of the Equinox, its towing base plate, as well as to the motorhome towing equipment, tow hitch, and chassis. I brought this issue to GM's attention and there has been no fix to date.

While four wheel down towing my 2023 Equinox behind my motorhome, under certain road conditions, the tires can be heard squealing and burnt rubber can be seen and smelt. I put a camera in the car to record the event and during the described events the steering wheel can be seen shaking violently. This type of event occurs consistently on cloverleaf type on and off ramps and other roads that have somewhat tight turns that are banked. I am correctly towing the car per GM's published dingy towing instructions for the 2023 Equinox. I have ten years experience towing a 2011 Equinox with the same set up that have been trouble free. In May of 2023 I reported the issue to my dealer and sent the videos. GM opened a case, 9-9951144997, but to date no resolution for the problem. This is a serious safety concern for me and my family travelling in the motorhome and my concern extends to others on the highway. When you can hear the tires squealing from inside a diesel pusher motorhome and view on video how violent the event is, the safety of towing the 2023 Equinox has to be questioned.

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the windows rolled down, the vehicle would shake violently with a loud winding sound throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the shaking was extremely severe, causing it to be difficult to see out of the mirrors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unstated defect was found but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40.

While towing my equinox behind my motorhome, with properly installed equipment, I experience tire screeching when taking off ramps from the highway. From extensive research, I've found that many 2023 Equinox owners are having the same issue and many have started GM case numbers. This issue is happening with many different tow systems installed and the only constant denominator is the 2023 Equinox. I've read that GM is fully aware of the issue and is working on a fix. I just wanted to get my involvement documented to potentially show the scope of this problem.

2023 Equinox tires lock up on cloverleaf on/off ramps when being flat towed behind a motorhome. The safety concern has occurred several times on cloverleaf on/off ramps. Proper procedures for flat towing per GM user manual do not resolve the problem. The Blue Ox towing package was installed by professionals. Dealership has been in contact with General Motors technician and no solution has been found. Safety of passengers in motorhome as well as other vehicles on the roadways are put at risk for accident due to skidding and visible tire smoke of Equinox. The skidding and visible smoke tire are concerns as excessive forces to the hitch, tow bar and baseplate as well as the Equinox front suspension and electronic system could compromise safety. It's likely a cumulative effect of repeated tire lock ups could accelerate and compromise safety even further. Internet research has yielded similar safety concerns for this same problem with no solution from GM. On September 7, a phone call complaint was filed with GM; we are awaiting a case number. Letters including a detailed chronology were mailed to the Chevrolet dealership and GM on September 9. Please contact me if you wish to see this information.

On Aug 6, I started my car and tried to apply the brakes. My foot went all the way to the floorboards. The Brake warning lamp and stability warning lamps came on and would not go away. I tried restarting the car and the problem remained. The brakes were not properly functioning. On August 7, I took my car to the dealership. They saw the warning lamps, but the brakes were working. GM told them to just clear the codes and let me drive it. The service manager would not and is waiting for a part (5 weeks later). I will also include the information from OnStar with the codes.