Head-to-head reliability
Honda CR V vs Chevrolet Equinox
How the Honda CR V and Chevrolet Equinox compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda CR-V vs Chevrolet Equinox: The CR-V has 717 complaints per year, including sticky steering and phantom braking, while the Equinox has 200 per year, with issues like sudden power loss and brake failure. Both have recalls, but the CR-V's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda CR V or Chevrolet Equinox more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V, over the last decade, has accumulated a high volume of complaints, averaging over 700 per year. Owners frequently report issues with steering, engine performance, and forward collision avoidance systems. These problems often manifest as sudden loss of power, phantom braking, and a dangerous 'sticky steering' defect, which can make the vehicle feel unpredictable and potentially unsafe in certain driving situations.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox has a lower complaint rate, averaging about 200 per year, but the issues reported are serious. Engine problems, particularly sudden loss of power, and brake failures are common themes. Owners describe situations where the vehicle unexpectedly slows down or the brakes fail to engage, which can be alarming and hazardous, especially in traffic or at highway speeds.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda CR V | Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7,174 | 1,996 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 40 | 33 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 244 | 122 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 717.4 | 199.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 214 | 93 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 2 |
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.
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,356
- 02ENGINE1,328
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,315
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,025
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM989
Owners report a 'sticky steering' defect where the wheel intermittently locks or requires extra effort to turn, especially at highway speeds. This can cause the vehicle to jerk unexpectedly, creating a serious safety hazard.
The engine can suddenly lose power, often accompanied by a flashing check engine light, causing the vehicle to enter 'limp mode' and reduce speed dramatically. This can be dangerous when merging or driving at highway speeds.
The system can engage 'phantom braking' at low speeds, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly without any obstacle, which can lead to rear-end collisions.
Electrical issues can cause stalling, loss of power, and even smoke from under the hood, indicating potential fire risks.
“While driving my 2022 Honda CRV at highway speeds and at operating temperature, the steering sticks and/or pauses then releases causing the steering to jerk back in the opposite direction. This creates a major safety issue while driving on the highway and can…”
“My 2022 Honda CR-V experiences the "sticky steering" defect that has been widely reported and is currently under NHTSA investigation (EA23003). While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently locks, requiring increased effort to move the wh…”
Chevrolet Equinox
- 01ENGINE548
- 02SERVICE BRAKES414
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM310
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM310
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER286
A common issue is sudden loss of power, often due to fuel pump problems, causing the vehicle to slow to unsafe speeds on highways. This can happen without prior warning.
Brake failure is reported, where the pedal goes to the floor with no resistance, and the vehicle fails to stop, even at low speeds. This is a critical safety concern.
Fuel system issues can lead to reduced power and stalling, often related to the fuel pump or control module, making the vehicle unreliable.
Electrical problems include unintended vehicle movement, improper shutdown, and A/C failures, which can be distracting and affect vehicle control.
“On [XXX], about 400 miles into our trip heading South on [XXX], the Engine Reduced Power Warning came on. We were in the fast lane traveling at 70 MPH,the car immediately slowed to about 30 mph.There was no prior warning or check engine light. Vehicles behind…”
“The engine failed while driving on the highway on two separate occasions due a fuel pump issue. The first time it happened, it was just reduced power (could only drive maybe 40 miles an hour). I brought it to the dealership and they said that General Motors t…”
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.
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
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.
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…
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,…
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…
Chevrolet Equinox — 33 recalls
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…
The defect: 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 m…
The 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.
The fix: 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 cust…
The defect: 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.
The risk: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Buyer analysis
Honda CR V or Chevrolet Equinox: which should you buy?
The Honda CR-V has significantly more complaints per year (717 vs 200), indicating a higher rate of reported issues. However, both vehicles have serious safety-related defects. The CR-V's steering and braking issues are particularly concerning, while the Equinox's engine and brake failures are equally alarming. In practice, the CR-V may require more frequent repairs and has a higher likelihood of encountering a safety-related problem.
Key differences
- The Honda CR-V has a much higher complaint volume, especially regarding steering and forward collision avoidance, while the Equinox's complaints are more focused on engine and brakes.
- CR-V owners report 'sticky steering' and phantom braking, which are unique to that model, whereas Equinox owners report brake pedal going to the floor and sudden power loss.
- The Equinox has a lower average annual complaint rate, but the severity of brake failures is a critical concern.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the CR-V's recalls include steering and airbag sensor issues, while the Equinox's include fuel pump and structure problems.
- Test drive at highway speeds and check for any steering stiffness or pulling, which could indicate the sticky steering defect.
- Check for any warning lights related to the forward collision avoidance system and test the brakes at low speeds to ensure they don't engage unexpectedly.
- Listen for any unusual engine sounds or hesitation during acceleration, and check for any prior fuel pump replacements.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including a hard stop from low speed, to ensure the pedal feels firm and the vehicle stops as expected.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or previous complaints.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the steering system on the CR-V and the fuel system on the Equinox.
- Test drive both vehicles on the highway to assess power delivery and braking performance.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as flickering lights or intermittent warning messages.
- Review the NHTSA website for the latest recall information and owner complaints for the specific model year you are considering.
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 | Honda CR V | Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 127 | 76 |
| 2025 | 243 | 219 |
| 2024 | 383 | 74 |
| 2023 | 516 | 94 |
| 2022 | 253 | 165 |
| 2021 | 326 | 91 |
| 2020 | 351 | 303 |
| 2019 | 1088 | 300 |
| 2018 | 2128 | 403 |
| 2017 | 1759 | 271 |
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 Honda CR V or Chevrolet Equinox in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda CR V vs Chevrolet Equinox
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 7,174
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 1,996
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 717.4
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 199.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE