2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
TypicalSteady
NHTSA has received 300 owner complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, or 39.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.93, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #48 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 15% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 37% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2018-09-26 and 2026-08-29. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
300Complaints
39.1Complaints per year on the road
0.93Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
8.7%Share involving a crash or fire
52Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 46.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 45.4 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 87 complaints, 8% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (34.7% of complaints), followed by Brakes (18.7%) and Electrical (10.7%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “engine”, “vacuum pump”, “tube”, “power” and “hose”. 26 reports (8.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 51 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (40% of incidents). In the last 12 months 52 new complaints were filed, versus 44 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 38% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.93
vs. other Chevrolet models0.85
vs. other 2019 models0.85
vs. other Compact SUVs0.63
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (87)1.08
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…
Air bags did not deploy at all on passenger side after collision with a utility pole. Once vehicle stopped drivers side air bag was release but did not deploy the way it should to prevent injury.
The power liftgate on my 2019 Chevrolet Equinox experienced a sudden mechanical failure without warning. I pushed the automatic liftgate button and the liftgate raised normally. Once raised, the upper mounting bolt securing the power liftgate actuator severed.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-29 · ODI 11760553
Unusual engine noise inspection at 86011 miles determined engine failure do to metal shavings and particles found in engine oils and oil filter by GM Dealership wher serviced only by them at mileage intervals on record and purchased new in 2019.
Engine · 2026-08-22 · ODI 11758764
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757448
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 20V668000 · 2020-10-29
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 18V576000 · 2018-08-30
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?
300 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, or about 39.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 34.7% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 52 new complaints were filed, versus 44 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 300 owner complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, or 39.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.93, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #48 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 15% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 37% lower.