Head-to-head reliability

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR V

How the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Chevrolet Equinox1,919 complaints · 33 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda CR V7,023 complaints · 40 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Chevrolet Equinox averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Chevrolet Equinox has 1,919 complaints and 33 recalls on record; Honda CR V has 7,023 complaints and 40 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryChevrolet EquinoxHonda CR V
Total complaintsAll model years combined1,919 Better7,023
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns33 Better40
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints116 Better237
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years191.9 Better702.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints86 Better209
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints11

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

  1. 01ENGINE537
  2. 02SERVICE BRAKES398
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM300
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM294
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER277
In owners' words — ENGINE

No warning messages or check engine lights. However, I am concerned for my safety as my 2026 equinox I bought last year in may of 2025 from motion chevy in hackettstown NJ with 21k miles (as of now, bought it brand new last year) has a windshield distortion t…

The starter on a new 2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS failed at approximately 6,500 miles. While the vehicle was being driven home during evening rush hour, it shut off at a red light and would not restart. The vehicle was stranded in the left lane of a four-lane hi…

Honda CR V

  1. 01STEERING1,311
  2. 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,302
  3. 03ENGINE1,296
  4. 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,008
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM965
In owners' words — STEERING

While driving, car engine stutters and stops. The infotainment system went black while driving. The system is hard to steer often while turning. The trunk would not open when touching button for it to open. Took out the key fob and it also would not respond.…

After having my car for a month I noticed the steering wheel making a cracking noise when turning going down a parking garage. It made this sound when turning both left and right along with suddenly making it hard to turn the wheel in certain angles. The vehi…

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

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#26V114000

The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…

The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…

Seats
#22V724000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#22V929000

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…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch
#24V737000Feb 2024

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, and Equinox vehicles. The door strikers were not properly heat-treated, which can cause them to break.

The risk: A broken door striker can cause the door to open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace all four side door strikers and attachment bolts, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters are expected to be mailed. Owners may call Chevrolet…

Honda CR V — 40 recalls

Equipment — Other — Labels
#23V524000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with th…

The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V858000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…

The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#26V332000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…

The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…

Steering
#24V744000Mar 2024

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…

The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…

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.

YearChevrolet EquinoxHonda CR V
202657114
2025209232
202468372
202389506
2022156242
202188313
2020297335
20192931071
20183922096
20172701742
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox drew the most complaints (392); the 2018 Honda CR V drew the most (2,096). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR V — comparison facts
Comparison
Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR V
Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
1,919
Honda CR V total complaints
7,023
Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
33
Honda CR V total recalls
40
Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
191.9
Honda CR V avg complaints/year
702.3
More reliable overall
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
ENGINE
Honda CR V top complaint area
STEERING