The Chevy Equinox is a popular compact SUV known for its versatility and comfort. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of issues, with door lock problems being a common concern among owners.
Ensuring that your door locks work correctly is vital for security and convenience. In this article, we will dive into the specific door lock problems reported by Chevy Equinox owners and provide insights into the causes and solutions.
Specific Door Lock Problems Reported
1. Power Door Lock Failure
One of the most frequently reported issues with the Chevy Equinox is power door lock failure. Many users find that their power door locks fail to operate either with the key fob or the interior switch. This can be a significant inconvenience, especially when you need to access your vehicle quickly.
The main causes of power door lock failure are typically actuator failure and electrical issues. The door lock actuator, responsible for engaging and disengaging the lock mechanism, is prone to failure over time. Also, faulty wiring or blown fuses can interrupt the power supply to the door locks, causing them to stop working.
Numerous users on forums like ChevyEquinoxForum and CarComplaints report intermittent or complete failure of their power door locks.
In response, GM has acknowledged these actuator failures and released technical service bulletins (TSBs) advising on actuator replacement procedures.
Edmunds car reviewers also note that power door lock failures are common and often require replacing the actuators to restore functionality.
2. Door Lock Stuck in Locked Position
Another common problem reported by Chevy Equinox owners is the door lock getting stuck in the locked position. This issue prevents one or more doors from unlocking, either with the key fob or manual intervention, posing a significant inconvenience and potential safety risk.
The primary causes of this issue are mechanical jams and actuator malfunctions. Internal components of the lock mechanism can become jammed or misaligned, preventing the lock from disengaging. Also, the actuator responsible for unlocking the door can fail, leaving the door stuck in the locked position.
Owners on platforms like Reddit and ChevyNation frequently describe situations where their doors remain stuck in the locked position, requiring manual intervention or professional repair to resolve.
GM’s service manuals recommend inspecting the lock mechanism for jams and replacing faulty actuators to address this issue. Reviews on Car and Driver highlight the inconvenience and potential safety concerns of doors that remain stuck in the locked position, emphasizing the need for timely repairs.
3. Key Fob and Remote Lock Issues
Chevy Equinox owners also frequently report key fob and remote lock issues. These problems can manifest as the key fob failing to lock or unlock the doors reliably, leading to frustration and potential security concerns.
One common cause of key fob issues is a weak or dead battery. When the key fob battery loses its charge, it can prevent the remote from functioning correctly. Also, external electronic interference can disrupt the key fob signal, causing it to be unreliable or unresponsive.
Users on forums like ChevyForum and AutomotiveForums often report that replacing the key fob battery resolves these issues.
GM suggests checking the key fob battery regularly and ensuring there are no sources of signal interference, such as other electronic devices or radio frequencies, that might affect the remote’s performance.
Automotive experts on sites like MotorTrend advise maintaining key fob functionality by regularly replacing the battery and avoiding areas with high electronic interference to prevent these problems.
4. Inconsistent Door Lock Operation
Inconsistent door lock operation is another issue faced by Chevy Equinox owners. This problem can be particularly frustrating as it causes the door locks to operate erratically, sometimes failing to lock or unlock as expected.
Several factors can contribute to inconsistent door lock operation. Software glitches within the vehicle’s central locking system are a common culprit, causing the locks to behave unpredictably.
Wiring problems, such as intermittent electrical issues or loose connections, can lead to inconsistent door lock behavior.
Owners on sites like ChevyEquinoxForum frequently report that their door locks work intermittently, often attributing the issue to software glitches or wiring problems.
To address these inconsistencies, GM has released software updates to fix these bugs. Further, GM recommends checking all wiring connections to ensure they are secure and free from damage.
Reviews from Consumer Reports suggest that these software updates and regular electrical system checks can mitigate the problems with inconsistent door lock operation.
Owners can reduce the likelihood of encountering these frustrating issues by staying current with software updates and performing routine maintenance on the vehicle’s electrical system.
5. Child Safety Lock Malfunction
Another common problem with the Chevy Equinox is the malfunction of the child safety locks. This issue can be particularly concerning for parents who rely on these locks to keep their children safe.
The child safety lock can either engage unexpectedly or fail to disengage, making it difficult to open the rear doors from the inside. Mechanical wear and tear on the child safety lock mechanism is a primary cause of this problem.
Over time, the lock’s components can wear out, leading to malfunction. Additionally, issues with the actuator that controls the child safety lock can prevent it from working correctly.
Users on forums like EquinoxForum frequently describe problems with the child safety lock engaging or failing to disengage, causing significant inconvenience and potential safety concerns.
To address this, GM service bulletins recommend inspecting the child safety lock mechanism and actuator for signs of wear or damage and replacing faulty components.
Car reviewers on Kelley Blue Book emphasize the importance of ensuring child safety locks function correctly to prevent accidental lock-ins.
Regular inspection and maintenance of the child safety lock mechanism can help ensure that these locks operate as intended, providing peace of mind for parents and guardians.
Conclusion
While famous for its versatility and comfort, the Chevy Equinox has several commonly reported door lock problems.
Issues such as power door lock failures, locks stuck in the locked position, key fob and remote lock problems, inconsistent lock operation, and child safety lock malfunctions can cause significant inconvenience and potential safety concerns.
Understanding these issues and their causes, from actuator failures to mechanical wear, is essential for owners to ensure the reliability and security of their vehicles.
Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help mitigate these problems and maintain the functionality of the door locks.
Was This Article Helpful?
Rami Hasan is the founder of CherishYourCar.com, where he combines his web publishing experience with a passion for the automotive world. He’s committed to creating clear, practical guides that help drivers take better care of their vehicles and get more out of every mile.
A blue light behind my mirror keeps flashing if I use my key fob to lock my doors on my 2010 Chevy Equinox. It doesn’t happen if I lock the vehicle from inside the vehicle.
Hi Jan,
That blue light is most likely part of your car’s security system. When you lock the doors with the key fob, it activates the alarm, which is why the light flashes. But if you lock the doors from inside, the alarm doesn’t arm, so the light stays off.
If everything else is working fine, it’s probably normal, but if it seems off or just started happening, checking the owner’s manual or asking a dealership might give you a better idea of what’s going on. Hope that helps!
When I use the remote control to lock my 2019 Equnox, it locks the doors; however, when I press the litte rectangualr button on the doorhandle, the door unlocks and opens. How do I prevent this occurrence and prevent an unauthorized person to open my car?
Hi Gene,
What you’re describing is actually how the Keyless Open feature works on the 2019 Equinox. If your key fob is nearby—usually within a few feet—pressing that little button on the door handle will unlock the door, even if you just locked it with the remote.
If you’d rather turn that off for peace of mind, you can disable it by holding down both the lock and unlock buttons on your key fob for about three seconds. The lights will flash four times to let you know it’s off. You can always turn it back on the same way later—just hold the buttons again until the lights flash twice.
Hope that helps!
I have a 2013 Chevy equinox LT I cannot open the back tailgate it seems to be not unlocking is there any way for me to fix this without having to replace the lock. and if I do have to replace the lock can I do it what they regular GMC or Chevy lock off another vehicle and bypass the electrical part
If the fob and switch don’t work but the key does, it’s likely the tailgate actuator, not the whole lock. Check the fuse first, then see if the actuator gets power when you hit unlock. If it doesn’t, it’s a wiring issue. You’ll need a direct replacement from an Equinox, other Chevy or GMC latches usually won’t fit or work right electronically.