Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 1,917 owner complaints and 23 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Equinox. That averages 62.9 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.49 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #7 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
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
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Chevrolet Equinox has recorded 1,917 owner complaints and 23 safety recalls, with the 2025 model year showing a high rate of 227.2 complaints per year that is at least 50% above the average. While engine issues account for 20.3% of complaints and recurring terms include "pump" and "brake assist," owners have reported 76 injuries and 2 deaths, with 120 complaints describing a crash or fire. Recent data indicates 573 complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 499 previously, and one open NHTSA defect investigation titled "Electronic Brake Module Component Failure" was opened on 2026-08-21. Potential buyers should research the 2025 model year most carefully as it generated the most recent reports totaling 208 complaints.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.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 20% of the 2018 and 2019 models (97 early complaints per model year versus 94).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (227.2 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (16.0). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2021, 2022 and 2023 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (20.3% of complaints), followed by Brakes (14.7%) and Electrical (13.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “pump”, “vacuum”, “glare”, “brake assist” and “onstar”. 120 complaints (6.3%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 76 injuries and 2 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 573 complaints versus 499 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (208). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 25 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 defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (opened 2026-08-21, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 403 | 46.5 | 1.11 | 101 | 1.13 | 62 | 5 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 300 | 39.1 | 0.93 | 87 | 1.08 | 52 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 303 | 45.4 | 1.08 | 63 | 1.11 | 78 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 91 | 16.0 | 0.38 | 21 | 0.34 | 28 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 165 | 35.3 | 0.84 | 50 | 0.68 | 51 | 5 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2023 | 94 | 25.6 | 0.61 | 52 | 0.63 | 32 | 3 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2024 | 181 | 67.7 | 1.61 | 142 | 2.02 | 62 | 2 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 Years to research carefully | 380 | 227.2 | 5.4 | — | — | 208 | 6 | Body & structure | View › |
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: 573 · Previous 12 months: 499 Steady
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
204 · 10.6% · 1.16 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- glare107
- windshield136
- dashboard93
- reflection39
Transmission / powertrain ›
152 · 7.9% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transmission52
- shift20
- module16
- train13
Interior & equipment ›
145 · 7.6% · 0.84 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- onstar14
- general motors9
- telematics7
- glare8
Driver-assist systems ›
77 · 4.0% · 0.7 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- braking26
- collision23
- emergency19
- adaptive cruise14
Airbags & seat belts ›
48 · 2.5% · 0.66 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- seat21
- deploy15
- belt14
- front25
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
41 · 2.1% · 0.86 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tires23
- rim8
- ltx4
- michelin5
Steering
31 · 1.6% · 0.25 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering23
- wheel17
- left9
- roads5
Other
28 · 1.5% · 0.81 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- seat10
- pedal7
- forward6
- passed3
Lighting
24 · 1.3% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- recessed5
- headlights8
- snow7
- bright6
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- pump364
- vacuum169
- glare118
- brake assist104
- onstar87
- fuel272
- module172
- brakes254
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 25 months
What owners report
I am an investigator w/ the Medical Examiner's office in Dallas, TX. We are investigating the death of an individual who was inside a 2018 Chevy Equinox that was "rebuilt." During the minor accident, the steering wheel airbag deployed, but exploded and shot…
While driving and turning on a flashing yellow arrow, I was hit by a truck and upon impact, my seatbelt came unbuckled and my body was thrusted into the dash, my Left knee took the impact from next to the steering wheel and my thigh was slammed into the…
Back wiper stopped working while it was on. Wiper arm is stuck straight up on back window. Back wiper motor got extremely hot still trying to work with the car ON or OFF. Would make a clicking sound every 30secounds 24/7 and would drain the battery dead.
On September 2, 2026, at approximately 3:19 PM, my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV unexpectedly applied hard automatic braking while I was proceeding through a green intersection. A white SUV ahead of me was moving to the left and clearing my travel path.
While driving, the car began stalling, and the info window said to shift to "neutral" and restart the vehicle. Attempted this, and the car just stopped in the middle of the street, unable to move it to the side.
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 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | 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)
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 âBrake System Failureâ message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake ass…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (227.2 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (16.0).
Is the Chevrolet Equinox getting better or worse?
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 20% of the 2018 and 2019 models (97 early complaints per model year versus 94). In the last 12 months owners filed 573 complaints versus 499 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (20.3% of complaints), followed by Brakes (14.7%) and Electrical (13.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “pump”, “vacuum”, “glare”, “brake assist” and “onstar”.
How does the Chevrolet Equinox compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #7 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape have more.
Does the Chevrolet Equinox have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 23 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (4). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (opened 2026-08-21, still open).