Chevrolet Equinox Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Chevrolet Equinox model years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2025, with complaint indexes of 87, 93, 80, and 100 respectively. The best years are 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024, each with a complaint index under 20, led by 2017 at just 20.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2013Avoid 2025Best 2017Best 2021Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,582
- Recall campaigns
- 25
- Crashes reported
- 264
- Fires reported
- 62
- Top problem area
- Engine
Equinox Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Equinox problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 87 | 782 | 15 | 9 | 2 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 93 | 782 | 30 | 3 | 3 | Engine | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 67 | 685 | 16 | 6 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 751 | 20 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 53 | 548 | 23 | 4 | 1 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 73 | 679 | 24 | 6 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 396 | 14 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 273 | 18 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 408 | 23 | 4 | 5 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 33 | 301 | 22 | 7 | 4 | Engine | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 47 | 308 | 20 | 7 | 4 | Brakes | 26 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 94 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 27 | 174 | 14 | 3 | 6 | Fuel System | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 7 | 95 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 27 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 13 | 79 | 5 | 1 | 1 | Fuel System | 27 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 100 | 227 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 26.5 | — |
Equinox years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Index 100 · 227 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2025 Equinox has the highest complaint index of any year, at 100, despite having no recalls listed yet. Electrical system problems lead at 37% of complaints (84 cases), with a median failure mileage of only 2,600 miles. Collision avoidance and camera issues and transmission and powertrain complaints each make up 15%. Owners described unintended acceleration while parking or reversing and adaptive cruise control failing to brake in time to avoid a collision.
2025 electrical system problems →2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Index 93 · 782 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2011 Equinox has 782 complaints and a complaint index of 93, the second worst for the model. Engine problems dominate at 57% of complaints (443 cases), failing at a median of 85,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 19%, failing near 76,500 miles. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in collisions and steering wheels sticking mid-turn. Three recalls apply, including a seat belt buckle anchor fracture recall unique to this model year.
2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 brakes problems →
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Index 87 · 782 complaints · 2 recalls
NHTSA lists 782 complaints for the 2010 Equinox, with a complaint index of 87. Engine problems make up 41% of complaints (318 cases), with a median failure mileage of 81,700 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues account for another 23%, failing near 83,500 miles. Owners also reported airbags not deploying in crashes and, in some cases, engine fires after stalling. Two recalls affect this year, covering a body height-adjuster bolt and an electronic park lock lever issue shared with other GM models.
2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →2010 visibility & wipers problems →
2013 Chevrolet Equinox Index 80 · 751 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2013 Equinox shows 751 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Engine issues account for 57% of complaints (426 cases), with a median failure mileage of 92,750 miles. Visibility and wiper problems follow at 21%, tied to a recall for corroding wiper module ball joints specific to this year. Owners reported airbags not deploying in low-speed crashes and a steering wheel that briefly locked while turning. Two recall campaigns apply to this model year.
2013 engine problems →2013 visibility & wipers problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Chevrolet Equinox problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine2,886 (44%)
- Visibility & Wipers1,162 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain870 (13%)
- Electrical System761 (12%)
- Brakes693 (11%)
- Fuel System688 (10%)
- Other665 (10%)
- Airbags296 (4%)
- Steering251 (4%)
- Structure & Body199 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chevrolet Equinox should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2025, with complaint indexes of 87, 93, 80, and 100.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
- The 2017 Equinox has the lowest complaint index at 20 and is rated Best. The 2021, 2023, and 2024 model years also carry Best verdicts, with complaint indexes of 0, 7, and 13.
- Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- The 2025 Equinox has the highest complaint index in the model's history, at 100, with 227 complaints so far. Electrical system issues account for 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 2,600 miles.
- What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Equinox?
- Across all model years, engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 2,886 complaints, or 44% of the total 6,582 complaints on file with NHTSA.
- Are there transmission problems with the Chevrolet Equinox?
- Transmission and powertrain issues account for 870 complaints, or 13% of all Equinox complaints, and were the top problem area for 2010 and 2011, failing near 83,500 and 76,500 miles respectively.