Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 2,068 owner complaints and 23 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Equinox. That averages 64.8 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.61 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #7 of 12 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 60.3.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 16% of the 2018 and 2019 models (97 early complaints per model year versus 94).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (221.5 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (17.1). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 64.8 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2021, 2022 and 2023 run at least 40% below this model's average of 64.8 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (19.9% of complaints), followed by Brakes (14.7%) and Electrical (13.8%). 132 complaints (6.4%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 88 injuries and 2 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 641 complaints versus 539 in the previous 12 months — up 19%. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (195). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 23 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 23 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (4). 1 NHTSA investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (engineering analysis, opened 2026-08-21, still open).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and Jeep Compass, but fewer than Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 409 | 46.5 | 1.15 | 65 | 5 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 305 | 39.2 | 0.97 | 50 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 313 | 46.1 | 1.14 | 80 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 99 | 17.1 | 0.42 | 32 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 178 | 37.2 | 0.92 | 52 | 5 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2023 | 98 | 25.9 | 0.64 | 34 | 3 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2024 | 187 | 67.0 | 1.66 | 56 | 2 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 ▲50%+ | 396 | 221.5 | 5.49 | 195 | 6 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 83 | 83.0 | 2.06 | 77 | 1 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 641 · Previous 12 months: 539 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Engine ›
412 · 19.9% · 0.89 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Brakes ›
303 · 14.7% · 2.43 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Electrical ›
286 · 13.8% · 0.88 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Fuel system ›
248 · 12.0% · 2.77 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Body & structure ›
210 · 10.2% · 1.12 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Transmission / powertrain ›
176 · 8.5% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Unspecified or other ›
151 · 7.3% · 0.81 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Driver-assist systems ›
95 · 4.6% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts ›
53 · 2.6% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
45 · 2.2% · 0.87 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Steering
34 · 1.6% · 0.26 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
31 · 1.5% · 0.81 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
24 · 1.2% · 0.75 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 23 months
What owners report
Driving around a curve and the steering wheel would not move. Wheels locked up and heard a clink the lower control arm disconnected from the car.
1- brakes failed entering garage they were applied, it screeched and hit the wall 2- there was a safety risk, but fortunately no injuries, just vehicle and property damage 3 - not reproduce, dealer who had performed rear brake job 4 weeks prior looked at it…
Vacuum Pump failed, Camshaft is broken. When vacuum pump failed there were no brakes and no warning. Almost flew off a bridge.
Fuel pump control module.Crank no start. Service engine soon light. U18A2 code sent to Onstar. Inspected and confirmed by dealer. Vehicle is currently sitting at dealer that I purchased it from and out of service until repaired.
The fuel injector module had to be replaced. My car stall while driving and I was stuck at work for over 2 hours waiting to be towed home. I work 40 min from where I live, so there was no getting back home without a tow.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 862 | 18.6 | 0.46 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Kia Sportage | 1,017 | 29.7 | 0.74 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 3 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,267 | 29.7 | 0.74 | Improving | Rising | 28 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,853 | 31.4 | 0.78 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 12 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,453 | 45.0 | 1.11 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 14 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,906 | 55.5 | 1.38 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 25 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 2,068 | 64.8 | 1.61 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,158 | 67.2 | 1.67 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 25 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,402 | 75.3 | 1.87 | Worsening | Rising | 15 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 3,149 | 79.1 | 1.96 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,254 | 87.3 | 2.16 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 50 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 6,037 | 139.4 | 3.46 | Stable | Within ±30% year on year | 25 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 23
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (5) · 2019 (4) · 2020 (4) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (5) · 2023 (3) · 2024 (2) · 2025 (6) · 2026 (1)
Investigations
- Electronic Brake Module Component Failure Open
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist …