Equinox (3rd)
Verdict The Equinox scores 8.9, with fewer powertrain complaints than similar compact SUVs, but the 2018 to 2022 1.5L turbo accounts for 16 of the generation's 22 fire reports. Verify every open campaign by VIN.
- 1,468 NHTSA complaints
- 17 recalls
- 22 fire reports
- 93 crash reports
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
LYX - Direct Injection, VVT, FGT, TURBO, ALUM, GEN1
1.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LTG - Spark Ignited Direct Injection, ALUM DOHC, Variable Valve Timing, DCVCP TURBO, E0-E100, ALUM
2.0L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LSD
1.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Chevrolet Equinox Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LH7- CRI, VGT, ALUM
1.6L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
X0B+EC3
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
LR4
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The 3rd-generation Equinox ran from 2018 through the 2024 model year on two gas turbo engines: the LYX 1.5L turbo (succeeded by the LSD 1.5L code from 2023) and the LTG 2.0L turbo. Chevrolet redesigned the model for 2025, and the Equinox EV launched alongside it; both have their own pages. This file totals 1,468 NHTSA complaints, 17 recalls, 93 crashes, 22 fires, 48 complaints reporting an injury, and 2 reporting a death.
The LYX 1.5L turbo (2018-2022 in the data; the 2023-2024 LSD 1.5L adds 152 more) carries 1,068 of 1,468 complaints, or 72.8%, at 213.6 complaints per year. Engine, brakes, and fuel-system complaints dominate at 292, 286, and 245 respectively, with 142 transmission entries. The LYX accounts for 16 of the 22 fires across the file.
The LTG 2.0L turbo (2018-2020 only, 173 complaints, 4 fires) is on a much smaller sample. GM offered the 2.0T as the upper-trim engine before discontinuing it after 2020, leaving the 1.5T as the only gas option in the late 3rd-gen run. Per vehicle built, the two engines score almost alike, 8.9 for the 1.5T and 8.8 for the 2.0T. Buyers comparing 2018-2020 cars should treat both gas engines as carrying fire exposure, not just the volume-leading 1.5T.
The recall record clusters on multiple manufacturing-quality items spread across many GM nameplates. Fuel system and powertrain recalls dominate the early years: 18V358 (2015-2018 multi-brand fuel pump), 17V516 (2018 driveshaft fracture, Equinox plus Terrain plus Acadia), 19V667 (2019-2020 AWD fuel tank seam), 20V668 (2018-2020 multi-brand powertrain), 23V013 (2021-2022 Equinox plus Terrain fuel pump module). Brake recalls cover 18V576 (2018-2019 multi-brand) and 19V704 (2020 rear caliper lubricant). Multiple seat-related campaigns affect 2019-2023 cars including 19V184 (rear seat head restraint welds), 22V359 (driver seat cushion frame, multi-brand), and 22V724 (driver seat frame height bolt). The final 2024 cars carry a door-striker recall (23V869) for strikers that can fracture and let a door open.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Equinox, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
Used-Equinox shopping in this generation breaks into two engine periods. The 2018-2022 gas Equinox with the LYX 1.5L turbo is the volume engine, with 16 fires across 5 model years and 213.6 complaints per year. The 2023-2024 LSD 1.5L that replaced it has 152 complaints. The 2018-2020 LTG 2.0L turbo has 4 fires on a much smaller sample, and was the upper-trim alternative before being dropped. Cars from 2025 on are the redesigned 4th-gen Equinox, a separate generation with its own record.
Inspection priorities before buying any 2018-2024 gas Equinox: verify the 18V358 fuel pump recall has been performed on 2018 cars (multi-brand campaign covering GM Canyon, Acadia, Malibu siblings); check the 17V516 right front intermediate driveshaft on 2018 cars (multi-brand); confirm the 19V667 fuel tank seam recall on 2019-2020 AWD vehicles; verify the 19V704 rear brake caliper lubricant correction on 2020 cars; check the 22V359 and 22V724 driver seat frame on 2022-2023 cars; confirm the 18V252 window glass tempering on 2018 cars; and check the 23V869 door striker on 2024 cars. Many of these are multi-brand campaigns where dealer recall checks against the VIN are essential.
What to check on a used 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox
On a used 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (376), the brakes (365) and the fuel system (349). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-08. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 376 owner complaints on the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox about the engine, all engines combined.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 365 owner complaints on the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox about the brakes.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 349 owner complaints on the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 186 owner complaints on the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Recalls (17)
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 the vehicle to move in an unintended direction.
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.
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 to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
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.
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.
Show 12 older recalls
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.
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.
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.
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 may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
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 Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
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.
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.
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.
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 rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
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 pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
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 (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox complaints?
Owners have filed 1,468 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The systems they name most often are the engine, the brakes and the fuel system.
Is the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,468 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA has 1,468 owner complaints on file for the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA lists 17 recalls covering some 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Equinox?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the brakes and the fuel system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Equinox?
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard & Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,468 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.