2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and stalled twice after idling, or while coming to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. T…"~61,000 mi, complaint #2134146
  2. #2

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Chevy Equinox turned off while in the turn lane. Car would not turn back on. No warning was shown prior to the incident but now there is a solid check engine light. upon googling it seems other chevy's have a fuel pump flow issue causing cars to stall and n…"complaint #1872559
    • "Car would stall suddenly mid intersection or street. There is an active recall for a fuel pump module with no known date of resolution. Fuel Pump Module would not provide adequate gas to the engine. This happened twice to me as I was driving on April 4th 2023.…"complaint #1889497
    • "While driving, the car started making a whining sound on acceleration. As I was driving up my street the car went into limp mode and shut down, only allowing enough time to park. If this had happened on a main road or freeway it could have caused an accident…"complaint #2095259
    • "My vehicle completely stopped. My vehicle would not start. I had to have it towed to a mechanic. I was advise that fuel pump module had to be replaced. "complaint #2105387
    • "Fuel pump located in the fuel tank, known recall on other equinoxes of this year and model but not all are covered but it is affecting more than what they are willing to cover putting my safety and other drivers safety at risk. "complaint #2156356
  3. #3

    other

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, water accumulated on the front seats floor mats and on the second-row floor mats. Upon inspection, the contact found potential white mold under the…"~25,000 mi, complaint #2129445
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a puddle of water on the front passenger's side floor mat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined tha…"~68,000 mi, complaint #2112459
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was a…"~206,352 mi, complaint #2133940
  4. #4

    control module

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the messages "Fuel System Needs Service", "Front Detection System Needs Service", and "Side Detection System Needs Service" and other unknown messages illuminated. The conta…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1802288
  5. #5

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I purchased the vehicle in Feb. 2021. About 3 months after I purchased it, I had a message on my screen that the SD card had been removed and it popped up multiple times. I did what the manual said to do which is to hit the check to remove the message but it s…"complaint #1819961
    • "When starting the vechile most times the radio will turn on at 75% its max volume. On occassion this will keep the backup camera on and lose all ability to control the infotainment center on the vechile. I also turn my raidio off before I exit the vechile.…"complaint #1915830
    • "My audio quit, no sound for warning indicator, no radio audio, or onstar audio. Can't here anyone speaking when using phone, though the receiving party can her me speak to them. "complaint #2126836
    • "I have no sound at all no turn signals, no seat belt no nothing, had Chevy in leesburg tell me I need an update did that and being told to replace radio and amplifier "complaint #2216784
  6. #6

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The contact stated that the…"~60,371 mi, complaint #2015611
  7. #7

    airbag system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox D2. The contact stated while his wife was driving at [REDACTED ADDRESS], another vehicle crashed on both the front passenger's side door and the rear passenger's side door of the vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy.…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1808683
  8. #8

    brake hydraulics

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Was driving 75mph on interstate and had to brake for car in front of me and had ZERO brake assist. Pedal was extremely hard to push and almost no braking power for vehicle. Vehicle has only 32,450 miles on it. Braking assist never returned and had to get vehic…"complaint #1824850
    • "2021 Chevy equinox vacuum pump failed causing the breaking to become impossible to use while operating."complaint #1856154
    • "I was driving in GA and my low engine power light came on and I lost complete ability to brake. The brake pedal was hard and would not go down. I towed my car to Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta. They called a few days later and told me I needed extensive eng…"complaint #2213072
  9. #9

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking and wobbling. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the four tires were replaced; howe…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1864800
  10. #10

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact leased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 mph, he made a right turn going across an intersection and collided with a 2012 Ford Focus. The brakes were applied, but the response was too slow. There wer…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1926977
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle behind the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle causing the vehicle behind the contact to rear-end the contact’s vehicle, causing minor damages. The…"~88,365 mi, complaint #1898905
  11. #11

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Front camera inoperative. Not listed as a safety concern. "complaint #1991121
    • "My front collision alert system has stopped working, I have taken it to multiple dealerships within my certified vehicle company. Next, my automatic High beams do not function at all, which is difficult to navigate at night without them. I have tried to update…"complaint #2012014
  12. #12

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE JUST PURCHASED/LEASED THE AFOREMENTIONED 2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IN DECEMBER OF 2020. ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE CAR STARTING SWAYING TOWARDS THE LEFT. VERY DANGEROUS. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. **ALSO THERE IS A TECH SCREEN ISSUE. THE DA…"complaint #1729018
    • "2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WITH THE SLIGHTEST RELEASE OF THE STEEING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO COMPENSATED FOR THE INCONVIENCE."complaint #1837518
  13. #13

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a busy highway, the engine seized, and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The local Police assisted in pushing the vehic…"~86,000 mi, complaint #2223715
  14. #14

    engine turbo supercharger

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "It was a dark cold (minus 18) morning driving to work. All of the sudden a warning came on. The engine power is reduced mode came on and I went from highway speed to 30 mph instantly. I barely got home. I was terrified and the car would hardly go. Very…"complaint #1781753
    • "I reported earlier in regards to the turbo going out in cold weather. The turbo was fixed finally (happened before Thanksgiving) on 1/13/22 by the dealer. RMPs are running high (65 MPH - RMPs are 2300) and it isnt shifting properly. wont shift to the next…"complaint #1789400
  15. #15

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INTELLIBEAM HEADLIGHT FEATURE CAUSED THE HIGH BEAMS TO ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BONIF…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1743590
  16. #16

    wiper and washer

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Windshield wipers stopped working while driving losing clear forward vision. Dealership has had car for 4 days and still unable to fix the wipers"complaint #1792129
    • "windshield wipers stoppped working while driving during snow event. leaving no visibility."complaint #2172379
  17. #17

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I take my 6yr to school when we got shocked, I thought it was my clothes, but my child got shocked also, then pick her up from school took her to the doctor for her foot, I merged out to the main road and the SUV cut off no warning lights of any kind I got…"complaint #1789485
    • "Water leaks into the rear of the vehicle from The shark fin (I am told from the dealership GM I purchased the car from). It has however now entered into the fuse box and is getting fuses wet which IS a safety issue if they were to short while driving in a rai…"complaint #2020893
  18. #18

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the front of the vehicle shuddered significantly, and the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1927688
  19. #19

    adas blind spot

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "blind spot monitor light comes on and off; occurs only on driver side; will occur sporadically - also may occur when left blinker is activated; taken to dealership who states sensor not working and has been an issue with other Chevrolet equinox vehicles over t…"complaint #1954913
  20. #20

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When purchase vehicle there was only 9,567 miles on it . I had the car for [REDACTED ADDRESS] changing warning and front camera went out. Also effected my car started. Dont know when it was first purchase and they say warranty is up. It could of been the end o…"complaint #2038238
  21. #21

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I've had to replace the brake booster sensor & the part by the vacuum to brake booster this is second time I'm have to replace it . So dangerous to be driving a vehicle on highway and you loose your brakes makes pedal hard . I also have to replace exhaust cran…"complaint #1870557
  22. #22

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle vibrated when applying the brakes. It started being noticeable when braking at high speeds around January of 2023 and progressively became worse over time. Took it to dealership in January of 2024 to get inspected under warranty. Per dealership, the…"complaint #1965537
  23. #23

    differential

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Spline worn out and disconnected from differential. "complaint #2119555
  24. #24

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The check engine light came on and the engine lowered performance because the intercooler froze and cracked. Despite there being a service update to stop that from happening, we were never informed of the update from Chevy, only once it had happened did they t…"complaint #2180880
  25. #25

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Oil consumption issue requiring engine tear down."complaint #2098449
  26. #26

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My vehicle keeps jerking/stalling/choking but continues to drive. I went to AutZone (01/28/2026) and they ran a check on it. The report states it has to with a Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor and that an Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Large Leak was detected. I…"complaint #2170975
  27. #27

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On way to [XXX] car started hesitating stop at Oreily’s they hooked up said 3rd cylinder was misfiring took to Bruner Chevrolet I told them what the read out said on the 3rd cylinder misfiring they said catalytic converter was messed up and changed it out dro…"complaint #2211146
  28. #28

    horn

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the horn was intermittently inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the horn to become permanently inoperable. Additionally, the seat belt…"~55,000 mi, complaint #2040606
  29. #29

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The screen behind the steering wheel got all streaky and now I can not see anything on it. It won’t be able to show me a safety warning, mileage, and the digital speedometer."complaint #1981165
  30. #30

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY EQUINOX. ONE DAY LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS] ON I-75, MY WIFE ENGAGED THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THINKING IT WAS A CONSOLE LATCH. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND ONLY BECAUSE I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHE…"complaint #1742809
  31. #31

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "power locks with not lock or unlock with key fob or door buttons, doors will only look with the door buttons after exceeding 60+mph"complaint #1794268
  32. #32

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Hill assist did not activate and car rolled back, hill assist activated on 3rd attempt "complaint #1878042
  33. #33

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When making a sharp turn left or right from a standstill the vehicles makes an audible grinding noise and vibration in the steering wheel. Feels like you're driving over rumble strips. Vehicle was taken to dealer on 7/28/21 and problem was recreated by technic…"complaint #1771269
  34. #34

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass. After the glass opened, I…"complaint #2237134
  35. #35

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "front end shakes at 25-30 mph. after 30 it goes away. 35000miles. 4 wheel balanced and no bent wheels or out of round tires. "complaint #1802914
  36. #36

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "As I was driving into my driveway, My front driver’s side tire exploded and the back driver’s side tire has a huge bubble in it."complaint #1840731
  37. #37

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the liftgate independently opened. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred while driving…"~55,000 mi, complaint #2122971
  38. #38

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the front driver's wheel detached from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The insurance comp…"~21,680 mi, complaint #1920249

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET EQUINOX directly.