Chevrolet Equinox Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Equinox model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (94) and the 2010 the most (784).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
71 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 26–103 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
79 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 26–28 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
94 | 0 | Air bags | — | 19–20 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
96 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | 5★ | 27–28 |
| 2023 | 96 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | 5★ | 26–28 |
| 2022 | 178 | 6 | Fuel/propulsion system | 5★ | 27–28 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
229 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 26–103 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
275 | 0 | Engine | 4★ | 18–25 |
| 2019 | 303 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 24–32 |
| 2020 | 309 | 4 | Service brakes | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2008 | 370 | 0 | Air bags | — | 19 |
| 2016 | 397 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 18–26 |
| 2018 | 408 | 5 | Service brakes | 5★ | 24–32 |
| 2014 | 548 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 19–26 |
| 2015 | 680 | 2 | Visibility/wiper | 4★ | 19–26 |
| 2007 | 685 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–20 |
| 2012 | 685 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 19–26 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
751 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 19–26 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
782 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 19–26 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
784 | 3 | Engine | — | 20–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Equinox years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox: 784 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 271 (35%); Power train 182 (23%); Visibility/wiper 132 (17%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 9 fires, 23 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox: 782 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 386 (49%); Power train 145 (19%); Electrical system 74 (9%).
Reports mention 30 crashes, 3 fires, 41 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox: 751 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 412 (55%); Visibility/wiper 144 (19%); Power train 80 (11%).
Reports mention 20 crashes, 5 fires, 20 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Equinox years with the fewest complaints
2009 Chevrolet Equinox: 94 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 26 (28%); Electrical system 23 (24%); Engine 18 (19%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox: 96 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 18 (19%); Electrical system 17 (18%); Power train 17 (18%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,371 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Chevrolet Equinox: 275 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 179 (65%); Power train 32 (12%); Fuel/propulsion system 21 (8%).
Reports mention 18 crashes, 4 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 69,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Equinox owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 71 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2,000 |
| 2025 | 229 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8,300 |
| 2024 | 79 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2023 | 96 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34,000 |
| 2022 | 178 | 14 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 17,850 |
| 2021 | 96 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 60,371 |
| 2020 | 309 | 20 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 13,990 |
| 2019 | 303 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 9,000 |
| 2018 | 408 | 23 | 4 | 30 | 1 | 21,500 |
| 2017 | 275 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 69,000 |
| 2016 | 397 | 14 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2015 | 680 | 24 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2014 | 548 | 23 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 79,500 |
| 2013 | 751 | 20 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2012 | 685 | 16 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 81,000 |
| 2011 | 782 | 30 | 3 | 41 | 2 | 80,000 |
| 2010 | 784 | 15 | 9 | 23 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2009 | 94 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 79,000 |
| 2008 | 370 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2007 | 685 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 75,789 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Equinox recalls
- Windshield Wipers May Fail (2014–2015 model years; 681,509 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2022; 22V165000)
- Child Seat Anchors May Not Function/FMVSS 225 (2020–2023 model years; 668,187 vehicles across all models; filed May 2023; 23V339000)
- Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out (2010–2012 model years; 414,333 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V447000)
- Windshield Wipers may become Inoperative (2013 model year; 367,808 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2016; 16V582000)
- Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons (2018–2019 model years; 210,628 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2018; 18V576000)
All 32 Chevrolet Equinox recall campaigns · Chevrolet Equinox problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Equinox years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Equinox year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (94). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Equinox years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2010, 2011 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Equinox problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (2,710 of 7,820 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Equinox. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Equinox recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.