Chevrolet

Equinox (3rd)

2018-2025 · Compact SUV · 4 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.4)
1,689 NHTSA Complaints
16 Recalls
20 Fire Reports
97 Crash Reports
Includes data from: EQUINOXEQUINOX EV
View all 3 generations of the Chevrolet Equinox → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

X0B+EC3

⚠️ Caution (2.4)
311 complaints 118.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
174
safety systems
75
electrical
36
brakes
35
exterior
15

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (75 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (36 complaints)
Brakes Issues (35 complaints)

LH7- CRI, VGT, ALUM

1.6L 4-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.2)
17 complaints 8.5 per year Diesel
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
7
fuel system
5
electrical
4
interior
3
transmission
2

Known Issues

Engine Issues (7 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (5 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)

LYX - Direct Injection, VVT, FGT, TURBO, ALUM, GEN1

1.5L 4-cyl Turbo
Avoid (1.5)
1,175 complaints 187.6 per year Gasoline
15 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
289
brakes
281
fuel system
251
electrical
193
transmission
154

Known Issues

Engine Issues (289 complaints)
Typical onset: 28,874–100,750 mi Est. repair: $1,800–$5,362 (19 reports)
Brakes Issues (281 complaints)
Typical onset: 49,384–108,444 mi Est. repair: $695–$3,323 (16 reports)
Fuel System Issues (251 complaints)
Typical onset: 9,000–67,000 mi Est. repair: $738–$2,250 (20 reports)

LTG - Spark Ignited Direct Injection, ALUM DOHC, Variable Valve Timing, DCVCP TURBO, E0-E100, ALUM

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
Avoid (1.3)
146 complaints 48.7 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
40
electrical
38
engine
21
transmission
20
fuel system
17

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (40 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (38 complaints)
Engine Issues (21 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Equinox regardless of engine variant.

Brakes Issues (356 complaints)
brakes critical
Engine Issues (317 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (273 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (271 complaints)
electrical critical
Transmission Issues (174 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (16)

23V869000Dec 20, 2023serious
Structure

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.

23V013000Jan 18, 2023serious
Fuel System

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.

23V339000Nov 4, 2023serious
Child Seat

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."

22V724000Sep 28, 2022serious
Seats

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.

22V359000May 18, 2022serious
Seats

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.

22V929000Dec 14, 2022serious
Air Bags

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.

21V612000May 7, 2021serious
Tires

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.

20V668000Oct 28, 2020serious
Powertrain

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.

20V811000Dec 22, 2020serious
Seat Belts

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.

19V667000Sep 18, 2019serious
Fuel System

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.

19V184000Jul 2, 2019serious
Seats

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.

19V704000Mar 9, 2019serious
Service Brakes

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.

18V358000May 30, 2018serious
Fuel System

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.

18V576000Aug 29, 2018serious
Service Brakes

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.

18V252000Apr 18, 2018serious
Visibility

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."

17V516000Aug 21, 2017serious
Powertrain

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.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

The 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox has accumulated 1,689 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Engine, Fuel System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Equinox engine is most reliable?

The 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car?

The 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,689 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox have?

The 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox has 1,689 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox?

There are 16 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Equinox?

Before buying a used Chevrolet Equinox, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Engine, Fuel System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Equinox?

The 2025 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. 1,689 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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