2019 Equinox 2.0T Flex plate failure

[Fouroaks]

I have had an odd starter noise and replaced the starter. Found out today that the flex plate is bad on the equinox because the teeth are sheered off in areas.

This seems to have a TSB and is a systemic issue. How has this not become a recall yet since it can leave you in an unsafe condition with the auto start/stop when the car cannot restart. It also has an impact on emissions since you cannot start/stop.

Pretty poor quality product to be driven mostly highway miles at 105k to have this part fail. 9.8 hours quoted at $200+ an hour.

 

[PoManNox]

Man that is a bummer. I've heard of this happening on all makes/models, but it's rare these days. IMO, years of stop/start cycling doesn't help things like the flywheel and flex plate, among everything else on the vehicle.

You're in the Syracuse area? I'm a few hours away from you, but know of some excellent shops who charge closer to $100/hr mark for labor. This is a big job. Front subframe will have to be dropped and the engine and/or trans dropped. Being in the N.East, things are going to probably be rusty on a 2019..

 

[Fouroaks]

I looked up the procedure. It’s a big job and that is what is aggravating about it, because there is a TSB on it letting the customer know GM is aware of their poor part.

I have teeth cracked off but I don’t know if changing it will do anything good for me… it just makes a tick at start up but will start just fine. I feel like the car is falling apart since 100k big time and I’m timid of sinking 2k into the car.

I am in the SYR area but the car lived half its life in Florida. It is not a rust pit (yet). I just have the start of some rust underneath. I was hoping to bring this car two more years to 150k-180k miles and then go back to a F150.

Not sure if I absolutely need to change the flex plate or if it’s just best to. I feel like this is definitely something that is recall worthy. It is obviously poorly made.

 

[Hey Vern!]

Just curious, did you disable auto stop/start or just leave it on? I just wondered if it was from excessive starting.
I destroyed a flex plate in a Buick Skylark, but that was from many massive burnouts and it failed in the center.

 

[Fouroaks]

Just curious, did you disable auto stop/start or just leave it on? I just wondered if it was from excessive starting.
I destroyed a flex plate in a Buick Skylark, but that was from many massive burnouts and it failed in the center.

The stupid auto start is still on. I never found a way to get rid of it besides putting it in manual selection than moving to L9.

I drive the car like an old man- still didn’t even need front brakes at 105k. Very disappointed.

TSB #21-NA-276 For your reference- they know exactly how poor of a product they made.

 

[Hey Vern!]

I bought this eliminator and it was easy to install.
www.amazon.com/NJSBYL-Eliminator-2019-2024-2021-2024-Envision/dp/B0D4M1T828/ref=sr_1_1?crid=347FHR9DV8OUD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xA_uiYPcJbrMt2jQuKJ2bq2QxA_8UtTjguRfGG5WWr-i0Kql_ehLTBqR0MlagkkrHk8-0xvGYZP8CiA34xVp-c1B0ru_DYXGPQkhU9WXqvvbAkU0WCx4Kq8MonEtNfrDYXwjK3QVDGYCKwPFOcfbAFp5z7FSh-6i1wnLJZ4kQoNXwZiR_xEO5sze3cz-CWyR.lJtjGrKl9kX0_0QMk9eUJOhJjOToA0k2KGstRy-T-qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=NJSBY+AUTOSTOP+ELIMINATOR+EQUINOX&qid=1753140741&sprefix=njsby+autostop+eliminator+equinox%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

 

[Fouroaks]

I bought this eliminator and it was easy to install.
www.amazon.com/NJSBYL-Eliminator-2019-2024-2021-2024-Envision/dp/B0D4M1T828/ref=sr_1_1?crid=347FHR9DV8OUD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xA_uiYPcJbrMt2jQuKJ2bq2QxA_8UtTjguRfGG5WWr-i0Kql_ehLTBqR0MlagkkrHk8-0xvGYZP8CiA34xVp-c1B0ru_DYXGPQkhU9WXqvvbAkU0WCx4Kq8MonEtNfrDYXwjK3QVDGYCKwPFOcfbAFp5z7FSh-6i1wnLJZ4kQoNXwZiR_xEO5sze3cz-CWyR.lJtjGrKl9kX0_0QMk9eUJOhJjOToA0k2KGstRy-T-qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=NJSBY+AUTOSTOP+ELIMINATOR+EQUINOX&qid=1753140741&sprefix=njsby+autostop+eliminator+equinox%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

Which engine is this on?
Does remote start still work?
Any check engine lights?

 

[Hey Vern!]

2.0 Turbo
Yes
no Cel or any other issue

 

[Fouroaks]

2.0 Turbo
Yes
no Cel or any other issue

Ordered one… having less teeth means I need less restarts in my life.

 

[Hey Vern!]

Ordered one… having less teeth means I need less restarts in my life.

I heard mine making some strange grinding restarts and that is why I bought mine.

 

[Fouroaks]

This is the picture I received of my flex plate.

 

[PoManNox]

It's impossible to say if auto stop/start did this, but I'm sure it didn't help. I endured exactly one auto stop/start cycle on my 2021 Equinox 1.5. It was the day I drove it home from the dealer I bought it from used ~14 months ago. I already had the Amazon purchased bypass harness waiting for me at home to install. 25K+ miles later, no issues with this $10 harness in place.

I know that dead spot on the ring gear isn't doing the starter any good, but you could probably live with it as is if you wanted to. If the flex plate was actually cracked, you'd need to replace it ASAP or risk it coming apart and doing all kinds of damage, or worse.

 

[Fouroaks]

It's impossible to say if auto stop/start did this, but I'm sure it didn't help. I endured exactly one auto stop/start cycle on my 2021 Equinox 1.5. It was the day I drove it home from the dealer I bought it from used ~14 months ago. I already had the Amazon purchased bypass harness waiting for me at home to install. 25K+ miles later, no issues with this $10 harness in place.

I know that dead spot on the ring gear isn't doing the starter any good, but you could probably live with it as is if you wanted to. If the flex plate was actually cracked, you'd need to replace it ASAP or risk it coming apart and doing all kinds of damage, or worse.

This is what I am thinking- delete auto stop/start to reduce wear on starter and flex plate. Then just ride this thing into the sunset. I’ve called a few shops and they are not interested in the job, and the other dealer is 2.5k labor “if it goes as planned”.

I don’t get any other start issue except a slight ticking/ slightly longer sounding start which is explained by this.

I figured this car would go to 150k-200k and it basically went 100k before a major issue. I don’t get how this is not a recall, it is clearly poor quality part.

 

[Brian-Nj]

I had the starter grind the flex plate on the equinox when I first got it before I got a chance to put the s/s eliminator on it .