2013 Equinox occasional knocking noise from back end
 

My new equinox will occasionally make a knocking noise from the back end when first starting. The noise has never happened once the car gets warmed up. The handful of times it has happened, it was before I first put in it drive or when I have just started driving it and are coming to a stop or at a stop. The noise last about 10 seconds and seems to happen most often when the weather is cold. But the noise is sparatic so when I took it in to be checked, there was no noise so they said they couldn't do anything and if it gets worse, bring it back. It happens at times when I am in gear and in park. I don't think it's the brake since it makes noise while in park (without foot on brake).
I've searched different forums and can't find anyone else with the rear end knocking. Can anyone suggest what might be causing it?

Hello,I am so glad to see your post I bought my Equinox in November and it is doing the SAME EXACT thing.They have yet to fix it.I just was driving the other day sitting at a red light foot on the break and it did it so I recorded it and will be taking it to the dealer ship on Friday for answers.Please keep me filled in if you find any solutions.Thanks.If you don't mind me asking where did you purchase the car??

If it is easier My name is Lindsey and you can email me at lmich18@yahoo.com THANK YOU

I have this exact same issue with my 2013 AWD Equinox. I just noticed it recently and started worrying. Of course the week I call the dealership it hasn't happened since.

The knocking noise (for me at least) seems to come from the back-right rear side. I have the same experience where the noise continues whether my foot is on the brake or not. More often than not, the noise has started while stopping at a traffic light. I have tried putting the car in park/stepping on the parking brake to stop the noise and it seems to make no difference.

Something that is a bit different in my story that no one has mentioned yet is the "knocking" sounds sometimes get faster until it stops completely. Whereas its normally a knock ever second or so, I've noticed sometimes when I start driving right afterwards the knocks quicken to about a knock ever 1/2 second or faster until it goes away.

Most bizarre thing ever.

Possible fix
 

lmich18 informed me that her dealership chalked it up to "bad high pressure fuel pump" and they relpaced it under warrenty. You might throw that at them and see what they say.

I emailed the user and they stated the issue returned just 4 days later, that part was not a fix to this problem.

Thank you mjoines.They infact did say it was the bad high pressure fuel pump.The csr was not fixed which means that was not the problem.My Equinox goes back tomorrow once again.

lmich18, mjoines, Equinoxowner,

I know multiple trips to the dealership can be frustrating. I would like to look into each situation separately. Can you please private message me your name, VIN, address, phone number, and name of the Certified GM Dealership you are working with? Hope to hear from you soon!

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Service

Erica,

I am having a similar problem with my new 2013 Equinox. The sporadic knocking is coming from the right hand side in the rear of the vehicle. It only happens at startup and lasts approx. 30 secs. I've taken it to the dealership multiple times only to be told that this noise is probably normal. I guarantee if this was a normal noise, I would not have purchased the vehicle. Has a fix been found for this issue? What is my next step?

Thanks
Nicole
Nrpiper@Yahoo.com

Does anyone know if there is a resolution to the knocking noise in the 2013 Chevy Equinox? I am experiencing the same issue and getting the run around from the dealership.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Nicole

Good morning I would like to let everyone know that my 2013 Equinox is fixed.The auxiliary pump is a bad part number.Tell the service department to contact gm and they will tell the to replace the part.:)

So glad to see others getting info and help too! The noise on my has seemed to quiet down but still happens right after getting gas. But now the knocking is only a few knocks here and there and not a series of knocks getting faster and faster. Thanks lmich18 for posting your experience in getting it fixed.

Hey lmich, how long have you gone now with this being replaced and not hearing the noise?

I don't want to sound silly but isn't the auxiliary pump the same thing as the fuel pump? I believe this was mentioned earlier but did not resolve the issue for someone else.

My noise still continues, comes from the same area every time. Usually happens within the first 5 minutes of starting my car.

2013 Chevy Equinox - Knock, Knock
 

Just bought my 2013 Equinox brand new in October 2012. Sitting in a drive-thru I hear a 'knock, knock, knock, knock' coming from the back. My husband said, 'Oh, that's just the fuel pump warming up...' I say 'Yeah, but why have I never heard one in a car ever before 'til now?'
Now it happens every time we go anywhere.
Is this safe?
What does Chevrolet themselves have to say about this?
Is this something we should ignore or replace? If so, with what? The same part again seems to be the only answer given..
What sense would that make when it has been done and the problem reoccurs?
On a related topic: My Mother just went through a patent defect scenario similar to this.... Her car's transmission stopped working after only 30,000 miles. The manufacturer claimed not to know why - yet there were multiple forums discussing the issue but to no avail. Many people claiming it left them and their family members stranded and living with large transmission replacement bills every 30,000 miles. (BTW, this was a 2008 Ford Taurus that this happened to.)
To work around this, I suggested to my Mother to get a different transmission from a similar car that doesn't have the bad track record. I didn't want her to have to spend $5k every 30k miles. Her mechanic agreed and began searching for a comp. Sure enough, he found a comparable transmission that would fit the car that didn't have a forum discussing its poor performance. She has had no more transmission issues, (Knock on Wood).

So, can Chevy do something similar for the Equinox as well?
Find a replacement fuel pump that isn't the one that went bad in the first place.
If the warranty only covers equal replacement of a patent defective part; isn't that the same as returning soured milk to the store and being handed another gallon of soured milk as the replacement?

skilwit,

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this knocking noise with your Equinox. The dealership should look into this for at least a diagnosis. If you would like you can private message me your name, VIN, phone number, address, mileage, and the name of your preferred GM dealership, so we can assist you through this concern. Look forward to hearing from you.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Service

2013 Equinox knocking noise from rear base of vehicle
 

Hi all,

Similar to previous posts from other users, I have had an intermittent knocking noise coming from the rear of my 2013 Equinox purchased back in 11/2012. It is heard only upon turning on and turning off the vehicle, but most often when turning it on. The knocking noise stems from the rear end near the floor level and lasts roughly 20 seconds. The noise seems to 'knock' loudly at first and then seems to trail off but speed up in frequency until it comes to a stop. I have never noticed it when the vehicle is in motion. It definitely seems to happen more regularly in the winter than in the summer. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

2013 Equinox knocking noise coming from rear of vehicle
 

Hi Erica,

Please let me know if you have any additional information pertaining to the issue mentioned in this thread. If you need any additional information from me, please let me know. If you have an email address available for a private message, I would rather contact you in that way rather than through this forum.

Thanks.
Chris K.

I have that same issue with my 2005 equinox. Makes me think that it's not just 2013 models but older ones as well.

Me too!
 

Mjoines & everyone else I have the same issues with my 2013 equinox. I took it in last week and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Of course the noise isn't consistent so I understand. However, they told me that I would just have to let the problem manifest a bit more! Help has anyone's car been rid of the problem?????

So did the knocking stop?

I haven't had time to bring my car into the dealer. Unfortunately they do not offer loaner cars unless they have to keep it over night. My schedule conflicts too much and I've just learned to live with it.

I know if I made time to bring the car in then the noise probably wouldn't happen anyway so what's the point.

I'm only leasing this nox so it'll be their problem in 2 years, not mine.

Sorry for the troubles everyone is having but I haven't had any other issues because of the noise, simply just irritating.

Hello Mychevy13,

I am sorry you are also experiencing an occasional knocking noise from the back end on your Equinox. I understand an intermittent issue can be frustrating to deal with. I am sorry the dealer was not able to fix this concern. If you would like to further discuss your issue or have additional questions, please reach out to us via private message and include your contact information, VIN, current mileage and the name of your dealership.

Sincerely,

Laura M. (assisting Erica Tiffany)
Chevrolet Customer Care

My dealer found a bulletin on this. They refer to the sound as a popping noise. The fix is replacing something called a fuel module. This involves taking down the fuel tank.

2013 Equinox thump noise
 

My 2013 Chevy Equinox qith 17,000 miles is having the same exact problem. It is not consistent but it makes a thump noise in the rear after I start the car and sometimes at red lights. I took it into the dealership yesterday and they said they could not recreate the noise and saw nothing wrong so they could not fix anything. They said to bring it back when I can leave it for a few days so they can try to see if it happens but doing that is not very convenient especially if they don't hear it again. Do you recommend me leaving it there in hopes that they hear it or so should I tell them to call gm?

AEllis1382,

I am sorry to hear you are having this concern with your Equinox. I know it can be frustrating when your concern is difficult to replicate while at the dealership. If you do have a few days to leave your vehicle at the dealership, we can certainly try to assist. We can also look into your rental car availability. Please private message me your name, VIN, phone number, mileage, and dealership.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

OMG - help me please...I bought a 2014 Equinox last week at Freedom Chevrolet in San Antonio, Texas. I have heard that knocking at the rear of the care about 3 times now. My husband thought I was joking or crazy so very relieved to see other posts regarding that issue. Last night when we were stopped at a light, he heard the knocking and said "We better let that person out of the trunk"! He was just being funny, but then I told him that it was odd, happened sporadically and I was glad that he had heard it. I took the vehicle with me to the dealership and spoke with new car sales manager Charles Pircher who says he's never heard of such a knocking sound. He walks with me over the service dept and asks that manager if he is familiar with anything like that - and that service manager shrugs no as well. Charles then speculates that the bass speaker may be affected by the eco-gas program that is running. This was bogus since I have read the threads posted about this same problem on this forum. Anyway, they told me to bring the car in tomorrow morning (Friday, Jan 7) and they'd take a look. I'm reluctant to take it in because I fear they will try to fix something that isn't really the cause and mess the car up even mores.

I hope you can reply to me at this e-mail address: linda@maclinsolutions.com please. I really, really need help. I hear that the Love It or Return It program ended last Sept..and I'm having serious buyers remorse.

does it go away when driving with the liftgate open or if put a thin blacket over the striker then close the hatch. If yes, the liftgate striker needs to be adjusted tighter.
Just finished repairing one of these. The striker needs to be moved laterally not forward or rearward.

I have a 2014 and its doing the same thing with the knocking noise

Mine is doing the same...scared me I have only had it a week and it happens when I turn it on or at a stand still

Chevy equinox - gm knows about this
 

I was so discouraged when I first heard the knocking at the back right end of the new car. And I see more and more people asking about this problem. Freedom Chevrolet was kind enough to let me exchange my vehicle and the new Equinox I have not hasn't make that noise, so I'm especially thankful for that. BUT THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO GM AND THOSE EXPERIENCING THE SAME KNOCKING PROBLEM SHOULD ASK THEIR DEALER TO CALL GM FOR INFORMATION ON THE REPAIR. IT IS THE AUXILIARY PUMP.
You may receive a GM/Chevy Customer Service Rep reply to your issues, but they act like they can help, but then didn't afterall. Here's what I had to do to get the problem resolved.
I cried and pleaded with the Sales Manager to take that "lemon" car back and give me another. I printed out countless forum pages to show that indeed there was a problem with the vehicles that started with the 2013 Equinox. I also showed it all to the Service Department - and that man really had never heard of this issue. So Freedom Chevrolet in San Antonio knows that there is a problem - not with every vehicle, just some of them. And let's say out of 1,000 vehicles, I purchased the one that had it. I was so very fortunate that they let me swap cars. That would be rare indeed for a dealership to do that for anyone. However, I know that they sold the gray Equinox that I took back to some other poor soul - knowing that it had a problem, so that's not very professional of them. And for them to say they haven't heard of this, I found that so hard to believe once I showed them all the complaints across America for the same issue. Wishing you a good outcome!

Hello,

I truly apologize that we did not respond to your request sooner, and I am sorry to hear about this vehicle concern! Are you still experiencing the concern? How did your dealership visit go? If you are still in need of further assistance, we would be happy to contact you through e-mail. Thank you!

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

Sorry to hear this, jamia04! Please feel free to send us a private message at any time so we may assist in a resolution.

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

I told the dealership where I get my car from and was told the noise has to be happening when I brought the vehicle to them other than that they will not do anything. This sucks I have had the ride for almost two weeks.

Chevy equinox - gm knows, it's the auxiliary pump
 

I continue to be baffled by all the posts regarding the Equinox 2013 and 2014 knocking noise at the back of the vehicle. I find it hard to believe that GM/Chevy have not recalled these models for a fix. But no, they just keep selling them and even when purchasers bring them in for service to fix it - few of the dealership's service managers are aware of it. My dealership was not and that's when I found this forum and learned that GM is aware of this issue and say it is the "auxiliary pump" not the "high pressure fuel pump.

To complicate matters, the knocking is sporadic and can't be reproduced so that the dealership can hear readily...and if they can't hear it, they aren't going to do anything. My dealership had asked me to leave the car with them 3 days and that someone would drive it periodically to see if the knocking happened...it was at that time that I made a stink about the whole purchase (I had only had the car for 7 days at the time) took it back and cried my way into a different vehicle. The 2nd vehicle hasn't made the knocking noise at all - so if my first car was 1 out of a 1000 that had the knocking noise - that's the one I had purchased. I was so upset over the problem, that the sales manager said that I could trade it for another one. God bless that guy!!! And the Service Manager seemed genuinely interested to hear about the problem - and I had shown them this forum with all the complaints and concerns about that same issue - the knocking noise! Take this proof to your service manager and show him that it is a problem - happening across the country and that GM should either enforce a recall to fix this or make it known to all dealerships that it is the auxiliary pump causing the knocking and teach the service dept how to repair it.

Oh and the people from GM and Chevy who are offering to help us via their replies from GM/Chevy Customer Service - say they want to help, but when I read their posts - there's no weight in what they say. Are they really reporting this problem to their management? I don't know???

Good luck to all,
Lucky Lindy

how do you know its the aux fuel pump? Is that the repair they did? I never heard of a transfer pump making an intermittent knocking noise. if you have a link with info on this fix, post it.

I read it in this forum back in January and it was from another owner who had it repaired. That post said that GM was aware of the issue and that Service Managers should call GM for information regarding the auxiliary fuel pump fix. It was not the fuel module as stated below. Maybe contact that dealership in Jacksonville, North Carolina below and ask them what it is...then tell your service manager about it.

Here is the one thread below that identifies the true problem: (sent to the forum and to me by Lindsay on Feb. 7, 2014)

Good morning.Yes my equinox got fix. It was the first known problem of the cars made.They second time I took it in my dealership they had it for 6 days and found the problem. It was a bad auxiliary pump.The makes pump has a hump and causing it not to function properly.Let your techs know to go on the GM site and they can find the information they need.My dealer ship is Marine Chevrolet Jacksonville NC if they need to contact my techs.I did not talk with Erica Tiffany(Chevy Forum Customer Service Rep) however I spoke with gm just so they could keep on file how many people were having this issue.I hope this helps if you have any mote questions please let me know.

And here is the complete thread below as I first saw it back in Feb. 2014. The problem had started with the 2013 model apparently. I hope this helps and the Chevy customer Reps are there to lend a shoulder to whine on - but never offered me any help that was useful. Why GM/chevy won't just fix this for everyone instead of pretending like it doesn't exist is beyond me...and no recall was made I guess because no one has died from it - just not important enough to them so it appears. Shame on them for not stepping up and coming clean on this much complained-about issue. It's ridiculous really.....

08-12-2013, 07:58 PM
Chevrolet Customer Service Chevrolet Customer Service is offline
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oin Date: Mar 2010
Location: Michigan
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GMLouisFischer
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mychevy13 View Post
Mjoines & everyone else I have the same issues with my 2013 equinox. I took it in last week and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Of course the noise isn't consistent so I understand. However, they told me that I would just have to let the problem manifest a bit more! Help has anyone's car been rid of the problem?????
Hello Mychevy13,

I am sorry you are also experiencing an occasional knocking noise from the back end on your Equinox. I understand an intermittent issue can be frustrating to deal with. I am sorry the dealer was not able to fix this concern. If you would like to further discuss your issue or have additional questions, please reach out to us via private message and include your contact information, VIN, current mileage and the name of your dealership.

Sincerely,

Laura M. (assisting Erica Tiffany)
Chevrolet Customer Care
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Old 11-01-2013, 11:09 PM
skiziks skiziks is offline
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My dealer found a bulletin on this. They refer to the sound as a popping noise. The fix is replacing something called a fuel module. This involves taking down the fuel tank.
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Old 12-28-2013, 01:04 PM
AEllis1382 AEllis1382 is offline
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Default 2013 Equinox thump noise
My 2013 Chevy Equinox qith 17,000 miles is having the same exact problem. It is not consistent but it makes a thump noise in the rear after I start the car and sometimes at red lights. I took it into the dealership yesterday and they said they could not recreate the noise and saw nothing wrong so they could not fix anything. They said to bring it back when I can leave it for a few days so they can try to see if it happens but doing that is not very convenient especially if they don't hear it again. Do you recommend me leaving it there in hopes that they hear it or so should I tell them to call gm?
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Old 12-30-2013, 01:31 PM
Chevrolet Customer Service Chevrolet Customer Service is offline
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AEllis1382,

I am sorry to hear you are having this concern with your Equinox. I know it can be frustrating when your concern is difficult to replicate while at the dealership. If you do have a few days to leave your vehicle at the dealership, we can certainly try to assist. We can also look into your rental car availability. Please private message me your name, VIN, phone number, mileage, and dealership.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care
__________________

I did find the bulletin. It is newly released (7weeks) so unless the dealership has seen this concern before, they may not be aware of it. The conditions needed to duplicate the concern are very specific; hence the need to keep the vehicle to verify the concern. Imagine trying to fix a problem with no dtc setting and not be able to duplicate the noise...its not easy. Customers who professions involve diagnostics get this.


I think the dealership did a good job. Gm would have paid for a rental during the time they have your car if it was under warranty. If they paid for a rental, and fixed the car for no charge...your complaint is what?

do you have a link to the bulletin? thanks you.

the information bulletin is #PIP5122B. They may be a link to get it on this website. I do not post gm owned documents.

Same knocking in 05 equinox
 

My 2005 has the same knocking issue- it sounds like someone knocks on the back of the car. Has this been verified that it actually is the auxiliary pump? If so- is it a pricey fix/ or hard to fix on my own? I also have a wonderful issue of ABS going off every time you step on the brakes annnnd a loud squeal from possibly the carrier bearing? I already regret buying this vehicle and I've only had it for 7 months!

the tsb may not apply to your model as an new models are a complete redesign.