2021 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 91 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, or 16.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.38, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 65% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 74% 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 2021-02-23 and 2026-08-20. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
91Complaints
16.0Complaints per year on the road
0.38Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
5.5%Share involving a crash or fire
28Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 45.4 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 35.3 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 21 complaints, 66% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (18.7% of complaints), followed by Electrical (15.4%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.3%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “engine”, “pump”, “check”, “light” and “seized”. 5 reports (5.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 43 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (36% of incidents). In the last 12 months 28 new complaints were filed, versus 18 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 22% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.38
vs. other Chevrolet models0.35
vs. other 2021 models0.42
vs. other Compact SUVs0.26
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (21)0.34
We were involved in a car accident. We ran into the back of a pickup truck that suddenly stopped on the toll road for another car that was in an accident. Our front end of the car was heavily damaged. Our concern is that our air bags did not deploy.
The contact leased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 mph, he made a right turn going across an intersection and collided with a 2012 Ford Focus. The brakes were applied, but the response was too slow.
The fuel pump of my Chevy equinox failed while I was driving in the middle of a busy highway causing my engine to lose power putting myself and my passengers in danger along with everybody else on the highway because I could not accelerate and I had to push…
Fuel system · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758331
While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass.
Electrical · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758041
I am reporting a severe mechanical failure involving the fuel pump module on my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. My vehicle exhibits symptoms that match NHTSA Recall Campaign 23V-013 / GM Campaign N222372310 (Inadequate Fuel Pump Flow).
Fuel system · 2026-08-13 · ODI 11756705
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. 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 N222372310.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Risk: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
91 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, or about 16.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 18.7% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 28 new complaints were filed, versus 18 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 91 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, or 16.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.38, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 65% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 74% lower.