Chevrolet Equinox Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chevrolet Equinox options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Chevrolet Equinox? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet Equinox has 1,996 owner complaints and 33 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2024 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Equinox
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,996
- Safety recall campaigns
- 33
- Crash-related complaints
- 122
- Fire-related complaints
- 27
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (403 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (74 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chevrolet Equinox: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 1,996 NHTSA complaints and 33 recalls on record. 122 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,996 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 33 federal recall campaigns
- 122 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
33 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
TIRES
TIRES
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SEAT BELTS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
SEATS
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEATS
SEATS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,996 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,996 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Earlier that morning the cluster displayed "Service Power Steering - Drive With Care" at 12,925 miles. I photographed it at a traffic light. The vehicle drove normally on that leg, steering assist was not lost, and I dismissed the notification, which cleared. I parked. On restarting a short time later, the vehicle went into failure mode. While driving on surface streets it lost power steering assistance three separate times in about eight minutes. The first was mid-turn: the wheel became substantially harder to turn and required significantly increased force to complete the corner. The second was on a main road. The third was as I turned into a dealership lot. Between those events, on two separate occasions, the vehicle continued propelling itself forward with my foot off the accelerator. It did not coast or decelerate as normal when I lifted off. Multiple warnings illuminated across the cluster and stayed lit. I photographed and recorded video showing "Service High Voltage System" and "Service ESC" at 12,942 miles. I judged the vehicle unsafe and drove directly to the nearest dealership, about eight minutes away, and surrendered it. I was on surface streets with traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Loss of steering mid-turn plus a vehicle that would not stop propelling itself put me and others at risk. At highway speed, or with passengers, I do not believe I could have maintained control. The dealership confirmed the failure and reported an initial diagnosis of a burned out drive motor power distribution control module. Teardown is pending. The vehicle remains out of service and is available for inspection. The three losses of steering assistance remain unexplained. My understanding is that electric power steering is separate from the failed propulsion module, and the steering warning appeared before the module failure. UNKNOWN whether these were related or separate concurrent failures. Manufacturer has not inspected. No crash, no injuries, no police report.
Wheat attempting to enter 40mph traffic from a side street stop sign the Equinox did not accelerate and the engine stopped. There was no warning of a problem. The car would not start and I received a message the a p129f error was detected and it was a critical error. It also said !fuel management system schedule service now. I also received a text that said "Diagnostic alert: Service the engine and transmission system in your 2024 Equinox immediately." I waited 3 hours for a tow and the car was taken to the local Chevrolet dealership where it was serviced. My grandson was with me at the time. I felt fortunate this did not happen while on the highway, or while pulling into the traffic. The fuel module was replaced. I was assured it was replaced with the newest module and computer updates. I am very concerned this will happen again based on what I have read. The car milage was 17,537 when the failure occurred and was covered under warranty.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to park into a parking spot, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove over a curb onto the grass. The contact depressed the brake pedal with extra force; however, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated the passenger’s side front fender crashed into the passenger’s side door of the other vehicle. The vehicle came to a complete stop upon impact. The air bags had not deployed. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A Police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
The vehicle’s software, steering, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) create severe, active driving hazards. First, the steering and traction programming cause violent, unprompted lane deviations. While driving 20 mph on a snowy dirt road, the system automatically engaged and violently pulled the vehicle directly into the lane of an oncoming snowplow. A similar erratic swerving event occurred at 25 mph on [XXX] during icy conditions. Most recently, the steering violently pulled the vehicle 6 feet to the left at 50 mph, despite the suspension and wheels being in perfect factory specification with summer tires mounted. As a professional heavy-vehicle driver, I had to manually fight the wheel to maintain the lane. Second, the Adaptive Cruise Control unpredictably fails to recognize stopped traffic on both interstates and town roads. It repeatedly fails to apply the brakes when a lead vehicle stops, requiring emergency manual braking to avoid rear-end collisions. The system also triggers severe phantom braking without warning. We are forced to manually disable traction control and parking assist upon every vehicle start just to avoid losing control of the vehicle. The dealership has evaluated the vehicle multiple times but has failed to resolve these core software and ADAS defects, despite months of ongoing negotiations with GM Corporate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My drivers side view mirror has been malfunctioning. Nearly ever time I get in my car the side mirror will randomly adjust to a different position, typically all the way up or all the way down. My safety is at risk as sometimes it adjusts and I forget, then when I go to merge on to a highway or even make an evasive driving maneuver the mirror is incorrectly positioned. While I try to adjust it before I get in the car, I should not have to do this every time. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer yet as I am out of warranty and do not want to pay $250 for exploratory work. The vehicle has also not been inspected by any third party. There are no warning lamps and this change happened after a recent software update.
Driving down the highway and my vehicle lost power. It stopped dead still in the middle of the highway under a hill both front and back. It was very dangerous both for me and the other drivers. Engine light came on and the car wouldn’t start . Had it towed to the Chevrolet dealer.
Read 14 more owner reports
My car broke down on me in the middle of a highway on my way to work yesterday with no warning it just died and I had to roll in between the island of the road, but I was blocking off traffic and my side of the car was still in the way of people coming up behind me. It wouldn’t start over. It was extremely hot outside and trucks tractor trailers and cars were flying up behind me, the speed limit on that road is 50 but people go between 65 70 miles an hour on that road so it was extremely scary and I was shaken up and was trying to think of how to fix the situation cause I had to call Work and tell them that I was down the road, broken down and two firetrucks stopped because they saw me and thankfully pushed me out of the way, and then my boss came for me to sit in the air conditioner while I figured out getting a tow I had it towed to the dealership I bought it from. ironically that morning I had a diagnostic email sent to me and everything was perfectly fine on it. onstar all of a sudden when the car shut down on me, it gave me a code of p129f. I also received an email at that time from OnStar that my fuel system was down. I called the dealership and told them that the car was coming to them. They ended up calling me back and telling me that it was the fuel pump and that it’s known for breaking down because GM apparently knows that there was something wrong with the fuel pumps in these cars. When I bought the car brand new after driving it, I had mentioned to the car dealership that it felt like it was lagging, and when they looked at it, they said it was fine. There was nothing wrong with it. I feel like this was kept for me that this could’ve been an issue and that I should’ve been sent a letter from GM knowing that I have the year making model of these cars that tend to have these issues that my fuel pump should’ve been replaced or looked at because I was putting a very extremely dangerous situation yesterday .
I was turning at a green light while following behind a truck pulling a trailer. All of the sudden, the car did the automatic emergency braking. It slammed on the brakes in the middle of an intersection while I was going ~15mph, and gave me whiplash. I am not sure if the car got confused by the trailer in front of me, but this is the first time this has happened in my first few weeks of owning this car. I've read that many others have had this issue with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and this poses a serious safety issue for drivers of this car and others on the road.
Subject vehicle has 11919 miles. The vehicle is less than three years old and covered under factory warranty. While driving 35MPH, engine suddenly did not respond to throttle. This engine stopped. Driver was able to coast to roadside. After OnStar analysis, engine control computer logged code 'P129F - An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption'. After towing to dealer, part number 13554821 was replaced. There were no prior warnings. The engine just stopped and would not restart. This is a major safety concern. This incident occurred 10 minutes after exiting the highway (65MPH). Having your engine stop unannounced at any speed in traffic is not safe, especially in high traffic and high speed situations. Dealer service nevertheless indicated this particular problem and part is well known but not considered a safety issue by the manufacturer. We disagree.
Check engine light with message engine running at diminished capacity as speed would not go above 20mph. Safety at risk from other vehicles on highway until able to reach safe location. Dealer states SES light on P0089 and P228C. GM bulletin on both codes. Programmed ECM with latest calibration for codes listed. If codes come back must do further diagnostics. Concerned about repeat possibility.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started jerking, vibrating, and decelerating before it stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with bearing and push rod failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, but days later, the contact discovered engine oil was leaking from the vehicle onto the driveway. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer, who discovered a pinhole in the engine intake manifold, which had caused the engine oil leak. The intake manifold was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,600.
My car seized while I was driving. It started fine and I drove about 10 min down the road and all of a sudden it seized. My car was towed to dealership. OnStar sent me a code p129f fuel pump. I was driving on the road and it seized. Could have caused a bad accident. Cars had to go around me. Yes the problem was “fixed” today 6/30. No prior error messages after is seized my battery light came on
The transmission lurches and shakes violently when under pressure such as times when trying to accelerate onto a highway. I recently was traveling and had to enter numerous highways and each time the transmission was extremely jerky and I felt it may fall out of the car at some points. Once I was trying to get on to the highway and a tractor trailer was coming up behind me and I literally have to pull off to the right because the car would not accelerate and was jerking violently. I've had it to Chevrolet service three times and each time they tell me it's normal which I know is absolutely not true.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Beginning approximately two infotainment software updates ago, the vehicle's Bluetooth system repeatedly drops the connection to my paired iPhone, and the contact-sync feature stopped functioning entirely. The problem did not exist when the vehicle was new and started only after a vehicle software update, indicating a software-introduced defect rather than a phone fault. I have reset the infotainment system and performed a full delete-and-re-pair on both the phone and the vehicle; the dropouts and contact-sync failure persist. Because the system no longer reliably supports hands-free calling, I am unable to consistently place or receive calls without handling the phone directly while driving, which I consider a driver-distraction safety concern. No warning was issued and I am not aware of a recall or software fix addressing this.
Less than 2 years old and under 50k miles. Car began to sputter and then shut off - no warnings received until the car shut off. Once able to turn back on (approx. 10 minutes) car went into limp mode. Was able to drive to a dealership where they received codes for fuel tank with no visible issues through a thorough service at the dealership. Dealership reprogrammed the car and indicated codes could replicate and require a new fuel pump.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Engine and Transission System Fuel Management system, How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle it would just shut off, when you tried to restart vehicle it would not start all you could smell was gas. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This happened on 3 different occasions by 3 different Chevorlet dearerships. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? ONSTAR provided the diagnostic codes to provide to the dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Their were no lights or warnings, only after it turned off we would receive a reduced engine power notice on the dash but no warning lights.
Between XXX, a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox RS experienced repeated sudden loss of engine power, throttle control, and steering control at highway speeds. Fuel management system, turbocharger, and catalytic converter failed repeatedly. GM-authorized dealer confirmed defects on multiple warranty repair orders. Breakdown 1: Nov 2024, interstate, rain, nighttime. Vehicle lost power and steering surrounded by semi-trucks on three sides with a ditch on the right. Towed to GM dealer. Breakdown 2: Dec 2024, [XXX], 2 miles from home. Same failure. Semi on driver side, vehicles fast approaching from rear, ditch on right. Crawled under 35 mph for 5 miles to next exit. GM OnStar app confirmed Engine/Transmission and Emissions System warnings. Independent scan confirmed P0299, P0171, P00C6. Check Engine FAIL, Emission Ready NO. Breakdown 3: XXX, [XXX] , 1 AM, winter storm. Same failure. Driver stranded. Sustained burns from superheated hood mechanism and fall injuries on wet pavement. Dealer confirmed turbocharger damage, blocked catalytic converter, and fuel rail pressure failures across multiple visits. On fourth repair attempt, dealer technician documented a component from a prior repair had fallen out and was not caught, directly causing the next breakdown. GM Technical Assistance Center was engaged. Same fault codes recurred across all four repair attempts. MyChevrolet app diagnostics, independent AutoZone scans, and dealer warranty repair orders confirm the recurring defect pattern. Vehicle was repossessed by lender in June 2025 following loan delinquency caused directly by extended repair periods and income loss from recurring defects. Vehicle no longer in owner's possession. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The bottom of driver seat leans to the left and moves when stopping or accelerating, moving forward or backwards, and does not stay stabilized like it should. This issue is not an electrical or power issue but seems to be a broken support bolt that attaches to track for seat.
On May 9, 2026, while pulling into a parking garage parking space at low speed (below 5 MPH), the brake pedal was pressed but failed to engage or slow the vehicle. The pedal was pressed completely to the floor with no resistance, and the vehicle continued moving forward until it struck a wall, causing damage to the vehicle. Earlier the same day, the brakes produced an abnormal hissing sound while pulling out of a parking space. No other symptoms or abnormalities were present prior to failure. The vehicle may also have recently received a software update, although it is unknown whether that is related to the incident. The failure appears to involve the brake system and the driver safety assistance systems equipped on the vehicle like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and Dynamic Brake Support systems. The exact failed component is currently unknown and remains under inspection by a Chevrolet dealership. No warning lights, messages, or audible alerts appeared before, during, or after the incident. The automatic braking/collision avoidance system also did not activate. Because the vehicle had no braking capability at the time of the incident, the occupants and nearby pedestrians were placed at risk of serious injury. On May 10, 2026, the vehicle was taken to a Chevrolet dealership for inspection. The dealership has been unable to reproduce the issue, and no mechanical defects or diagnostic trouble codes related to the incident were identified. On May 13, 2026, the issue was escalated to the GM Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for further review, and the vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting a response to the TAC case. The dealership acknowledges similar brake-loss concerns referenced in GM service bulletins involving the 2025 Chevy Equinox and other models, including bulletin N24471431, although they stated the bulletin does not apply to this specific VIN.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off in a parking lot, the vehicle became inoperable and failed to restart. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump module failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The VIN was not available.
Showing 20 of 1,996 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chevrolet Equinox
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chevrolet Equinox, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet Equinox has 1,996 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet Equinox has 33 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 122 of the Chevrolet Equinox's 1,996 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet Equinox vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chevrolet Equinox vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet Equinox has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Chevrolet Equinox stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Chevrolet Equinox by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chevrolet Equinox.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chevrolet Equinox reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Poor. The Chevrolet Equinox has 1,996 NHTSA owner complaints and 33 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chevrolet Equinox years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (403 complaints), 2020 (303 complaints), 2019 (300 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (548 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (414 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (310 complaints).
Does the Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
Yes — 33 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chevrolet Equinox. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.