Chevrolet Equinox 2018–2024 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation · GM D2XX
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,459 complaints, 484 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- 22,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 408
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2018 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2018
- Brakes118 reports
- Engine86 reports · median 32,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline66 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2018: Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- 9,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 301
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2019 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2019
- Engine100 reports · median 4,500 mi
- Brakes67 reports
- Electrical system43 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2019: Power train — automatic transmission; Fuel system, gasoline — storage; Seats. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- 13,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 308
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2020
- Brakes97 reports
- Engine89 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system50 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2020: Child seat — vehicle latch anchor; Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 94
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2021
- Electrical system17 reports
- Transmission and driveline17 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise17 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2021: Child seat — vehicle latch anchor; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Tires — tread/belt. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- 16,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 174
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2022
- Fuel and propulsion system74 reports
- Fuel system32 reports · median 18,000 mi
- Engine25 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 2022: Power train — automatic transmission; Child seat — vehicle latch anchor; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 95
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2023
- Fuel and propulsion system44 reports
- Engine17 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise17 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2023: Child seat — vehicle latch anchor; Air bags — sensor; Seats. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 79
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2024
- Fuel and propulsion system23 reports
- Electrical system17 reports
- Engine14 reports
1 recall campaign names the 2024: Structure — body. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2018 reports latest and the 2019 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2018 has had 1 more year on the road to accumulate mileage. 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 17,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 99,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 484
- Recalls
- 17
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported
- Engine23.8% of complaints · median 15,000 mi
- Brakes21.8% of complaints · median 34,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system19.2% of complaints · median 7,500 mi
Owners filed 1,459 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox; the engine leads with 23.8% of them, and half of the 484 that record an odometer reading came by 17,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
44% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 2.5 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox last?
The newest model years (2024) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox, half of the 484 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 17,000 miles and 90% by 99,000 miles.
12 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Equinox reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Equinox 2018–2024 · 484 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 182 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 44% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 600
- 25%
- 4,000
- Median
- 17,109
- 75%
- 61,000
- 90%
- 99,400
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 182 | 37.6% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 30 | 6.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 29 | 6.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 23 | 4.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 23 | 4.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 22 | 4.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 25 | 5.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 16 | 3.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 14 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 12 | 2.5% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 5 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 8 | 1.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 8 | 1.7% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Equinox problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Equinox 2018–2024
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise195 reports5,000750–18,000Problems owners could not categorise: 195 reports, median 5,000 miles, middle half 750 to 18,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system280 reports7,5001,500–27,000Fuel and propulsion system: 280 reports, median 7,500 miles, middle half 1,500 to 27,000 miles.
- Engine347 reports15,0002,000–70,000Engine: 347 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline184 reports16,0003,500–68,000Transmission and driveline: 184 reports, median 16,000 miles, middle half 3,500 to 68,000 miles.
- Electrical system213 reports17,0002,500–55,000Electrical system: 213 reports, median 17,000 miles, middle half 2,500 to 55,000 miles.
- Brakes318 reports34,0004,000–75,000Brakes: 318 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 75,000 miles.
- Fuel system62 reports39,00012,000–72,000Fuel system: 62 reports, median 39,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 72,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 347 | 23.8% | 15,000 | 2,000–70,000 |
| Brakes | 318 | 21.8% | 34,000 | 4,000–75,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 280 | 19.2% | 7,500 | 1,500–27,000 |
| Electrical system | 213 | 14.6% | 17,000 | 2,500–55,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 195 | 13.4% | 5,000 | 750–18,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 184 | 12.6% | 16,000 | 3,500–68,000 |
| Fuel system | 62 | 4.2% | 39,000 | 12,000–72,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 60 | 4.1% | — | — |
| Steering | 58 | 4.0% | 10,000 | 3,500–27,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 50 | 3.4% | 10,000 | 5,000–15,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 17,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 23.8% of complaints (347 reports, 127 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 15,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 70,000 miles.
The brakes account for 21.8% of complaints (318 reports, 52 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 34,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,000 and 75,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 19.2% of complaints (280 reports, 24 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 7,500 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,500 and 27,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 14.6% of complaints (213 reports, 63 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 17,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,500 and 55,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.4% of complaints (195 reports, 45 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 5,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 750 and 18,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 12.6% of complaints (184 reports, 60 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 16,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 3,500 and 68,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2018–2024 Equinox
Engine
1.5L LYX oil consumption and PCV system diaphragm failure, which draws oil into the intake and can damage the turbocharger.
Engine
Intake valve carbon buildup inherent to the port-less direct injection design, causing misfires and rough idle at higher mileage.
Transmission 2018–2020
9T50 9-speed automatic shift quality and calibration complaints.
Before you buy a 2018–2024 Equinox: the 3-minute check
Generated from 484 mileage-tagged complaints, 17 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 17 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for fuel and propulsion system repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 7,500 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 5,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Check engine. 1.5L LYX oil consumption and PCV system diaphragm failure, which draws oil into the intake and can damage the turbocharger.
- Check engine. Intake valve carbon buildup inherent to the port-less direct injection design, causing misfires and rough idle at higher mileage.
- Check transmission on 2018–2020 cars. 9T50 9-speed automatic shift quality and calibration complaints.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer of a newer example: 44% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, and many of these cars have not covered that yet. The early window may still be ahead, so check what the factory warranty still covers and whether any recall on the VIN is open.
On inspection, the engine and the brakes are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 15,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Equinox problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi74% below | At 90k mi87% below | At 120k mi94% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 4,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 1,500–27,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 2,500–55,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 750–18,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 3,500–68,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 12,000–72,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Equinox 2018–2024 · 484 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.0% of reports (5) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2018–2024 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (17)
NHTSA records 17 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the fuel system (3), seats (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Nov 2024 · 2022 · Power TrainRear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause…
What can happen. Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at…
Dec 2023 · 2024 · StructureA door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
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.
What can happen. A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The free 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…
May 2023 · 2020–2023 · Child SeatThe inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Jan 2023 · 2021–2022 · Fuel System, GasolineAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
What can happen. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Dec 2022 · 2023 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Sep 2022 · 2022–2023 · SeatsA seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of…
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.
What can happen. A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free 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…
May 2022 · 2022 · SeatsAn improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
What can happen. An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…
Aug 2021 · 2021–2022 · TiresTread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What can happen. Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Dec 2020 · 2021 · Seat BeltsIf a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Oct 2020 · 2018–2020 · Power TrainMissing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC…
What can happen. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact…
Oct 2019 · 2020 · Service Brakes, HydraulicBrake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
What can happen. Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake calipers, including the brake hose gasket, brake fluid and wheel to hub lubricant, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019.…
Sep 2019 · 2019–2020 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall…
Mar 2019 · 2019 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC…
Aug 2018 · 2018–2019 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The…
What can happen. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac…
May 2018 · 2018 · Fuel System, GasolineA damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel…
What can happen. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…
Apr 2018 · 2018 · StructureIf the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The driver and front passenger door window glass may not be properly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
What can happen. If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the glass in the front doors, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's…
Aug 2017 · 2018 · Power TrainIf the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
What can happen. If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,459 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 94 (6.4%)
- Fires
- 22
- Injury reports
- 49
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Equinox problems by model year
The 2018 drew the most complaints of this generation, 408, most of them about the brakes, and the 2024 the fewest, 79. A typical year drew about 174.
That makes the 2018 stand out at roughly 2.3 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 408 | 187 | 22,000† | Brakes (118) | 5 |
| 2019 | 301 | 128 | 9,000† | Engine (100) | 4 |
| 2020 | 308 | 84 | 13,000 | Brakes (97) | 4 |
| 2021 | 94 | 24 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (17) | 4 |
| 2022 | 174 | 40 | 16,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (74) | 6 |
| 2023 | 95 | 10 | under 30 reports | Fuel and propulsion system (44) | 3 |
| 2024 | 79 | 11 | under 30 reports | Fuel and propulsion system (23) | 1 |
What Equinox owners reported
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, but initially the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to drive to the residence, but the vehicle failed to restart. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and identified a failure with the fuel pump module…
2020 · 51,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop light and driving over a bridge, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was later towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed…
2022 · 18,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a sharp right turn, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle failed to restart, and a tow truck was called to the scene. The vehicle was later towed to the local…
2022 · 12,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that occasionally while at a red light or while stopped, the vehicle hesitated for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to move while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to…
2020 · 109,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 484 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Equinox generations
- Equinox 2005–2009 2,035 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Equinox 2010–2017 3,346 reports with mileage, most about the engine