Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Suburban
How the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Suburban compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Suburban: The Equinox has 1933 complaints over 10 years, including engine stalls and brake failures, while the Suburban has zero complaints and recalls. The Equinox's 33 recalls and 116 crash-related incidents highlight reliability concerns. For a trouble-free ownership experience, the Suburban is the safer bet. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Suburban more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that, in ownership terms, has been a source of frequent and varied reliability headaches. With an average of over 193 complaints per year over the past decade, the pattern points to a vehicle where engine, brake, and electrical issues are common, often leaving owners dealing with sudden power loss, brake failures, and electronic glitches. Living with an Equinox means being prepared for potential breakdowns and costly repairs, especially in critical systems.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban, in contrast, has no complaints or recalls on record in the NHTSA database over the same 10-year period. This suggests that, at least based on available data, the Suburban has been remarkably trouble-free, with no reported safety issues or defects. For a buyer, this indicates a vehicle that has not generated the same level of owner dissatisfaction or reliability concerns as the Equinox.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Equinox | Chevrolet Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,933 | 0 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 0 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 116 | 0 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 193.3 | 0.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 86 | 0 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chevrolet Equinox
- 01ENGINE540
- 02SERVICE BRAKES402
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM301
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM297
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER277
Owners report sudden engine stalls and loss of motive power, often without warning, which can leave the vehicle immobilized in traffic. Fuel pump failures and power loss during acceleration are also common, making the vehicle unpredictable to drive.
Brake failures are a major concern, with reports of the brake pedal going to the floor and dashboard warnings like 'Brake System Failure' and 'Service ESC'. This can lead to increased stopping distances and a serious safety risk.
Electrical issues manifest as infotainment screen reboots, camera system failures, and problems with seat heaters and steering wheel heat. Water leaks into the rear compartment can also damage the fuse panel, causing further electrical malfunctions.
Sudden engine stalls and loss of power are also attributed to the fuel/propulsion system, with multiple instances of the vehicle shutting down in high-traffic areas. This creates an unreasonable hazard for the driver and others on the road.
“The fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox began malfunctioning on [XXX] when the check engine light came on. Less than 24 hours later, the light went out. On [XXX], while leaving a CVS pharmacy, the vehicle jerked, then the engine shut off. After putting the…”
“My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on…”
Chevrolet Suburban
No component data available.
There are no reported issues for the Chevrolet Suburban in the NHTSA database, indicating that owners have not filed complaints about any specific component. This suggests a lack of widespread problems, though it does not guarantee perfection.
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chevrolet Equinox — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
The risk: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
The risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's nu…
The defect: 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…
The 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.
The fix: 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…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
Chevrolet Suburban
No recalls on record.
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Suburban: which should you buy?
Based on the data, the Chevrolet Suburban has significantly fewer issues per year, with zero complaints compared to the Equinox's 193.3 per year. This difference means that, on average, Suburban owners are far less likely to encounter reliability problems, making it a more dependable choice in terms of reported issues.
Key differences
- The Equinox has a high volume of engine and fuel system complaints, including sudden stalls and power loss, while the Suburban has none.
- Brake failures are a significant issue on the Equinox, with reports of pedal going to the floor, whereas the Suburban has no such reports.
- Electrical system problems, such as infotainment reboots and water leaks, are common on the Equinox, but the Suburban shows no electrical complaints.
- The Equinox has 33 recalls, while the Suburban has zero, indicating a higher likelihood of factory defects in the Equinox.
- Inspect the fuel pump and engine for signs of stalling or power loss, as these are common failure points.
- Check the brake system thoroughly, including pedal feel and any warning messages, due to reported brake failures.
- Since there are no reported issues, focus on general vehicle condition and maintenance history, as the absence of complaints does not guarantee a perfect vehicle.
Before you buy
- For the Equinox, ask for service records related to fuel pump, engine, and brake repairs.
- Test drive the Equinox at various speeds, including quick acceleration and braking, to check for power loss or brake issues.
- Inspect the Equinox's electrical system, including infotainment and cameras, for any glitches.
- For the Suburban, verify the vehicle's history for any unreported issues, and have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
- Check for any open recalls on the Equinox and ensure they have been addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Chevrolet Equinox | Chevrolet Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 58 | 0 |
| 2025 | 210 | 0 |
| 2024 | 69 | 0 |
| 2023 | 90 | 0 |
| 2022 | 158 | 0 |
| 2021 | 88 | 0 |
| 2020 | 299 | 0 |
| 2019 | 294 | 0 |
| 2018 | 396 | 0 |
| 2017 | 271 | 0 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Suburban in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Suburban
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 1,933
- Chevrolet Suburban total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- Chevrolet Suburban total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 193.3
- Chevrolet Suburban avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE