Chevrolet

Equinox (2026)

2026 · Compact SUV Β· 1 engine
Best Engine βœ… Recommended (3.6)
32 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
1 Crash Reports
Includes data from: EQUINOXEQUINOX EV
View all 4 generations of the Chevrolet Equinox → πŸ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
β€”
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
β€”
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
5/5 (9.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Engine Reliability Ratings

LSD

1.5L 4-cyl Turbo
βœ… Recommended (3.6)
27 complaints 27.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
13
transmission
6
brakes
5
electrical
4
interior
3

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (13 complaints)
Transmission Issues (6 complaints)
Brakes Issues (5 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

X0C+EC3

βœ… Recommended (4.7)
5 complaints 3.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
2
electrical
2
safety systems
2
fuel system
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (2 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (2 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Equinox regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (15 complaints)
safety_systems moderate
Transmission Issues (8 complaints)
transmission cosmetic
Brakes Issues (5 complaints)
brakes cosmetic

Recalls (3)

26V114000Feb 25, 2026serious
Equipment

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, β€œOccupant Protection.”

25V878000Dec 17, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce a sufficient change in volume between the vehicle being stopped and moving at low speeds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

25V704000Oct 15, 2025serious
Tires

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Optic and 2025-2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental all-season tires. One or more of these tires may experience partial or full tread detachment.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

The 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox has accumulated 32 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Transmission, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Equinox engine is most reliable?

The 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.5L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car?

The 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 32 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 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox have?

The 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox has 32 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 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2026-2026 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN β€” 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 Safety Systems, Transmission, Brakes, 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 2026 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. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 32 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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