2021 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 99 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, or 17.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.42, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #35 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 63% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 72% 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 2026-10-12. Median delay from incident to filing: 7 days.
99Complaints
17.1Complaints per year on the road
0.42Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
6.1%Share involving a crash or fire
32Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 46.1 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 37.2 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 (18.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (15.2%) and Fuel system (15.2%). 6 reports (6.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 46 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (33% of incidents). In the last 12 months 32 new complaints were filed, versus 21 in the 12 months before — up 52%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.42
vs. other Chevrolet models0.37
vs. other 2021 models0.44
vs. other Compact SUVs0.28
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (21)0.34
I've been having issues since the beginning of 2026. It's saying my car has no recalls but I've found that is does on a part that's been complained about by others.
Engine · 2026-09-13 · ODI 11763928 · Crash
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 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.
Fuel system · 2026-10-12 · ODI 11770531
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power.
Electrical · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769863
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started bucking and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump power control module failure.
Fuel system · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769348
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.
