Chevrolet Equinox Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chevrolet Equinox years to avoid are 2010-2013, 2015, and 2025, all rated Avoid with complaint indexes from 75 to 100, driven mainly by engine problems in 2010-2013 and wiper/electrical failures in 2015 and 2025. The 2021, 2023, and 2024 model years rate Best, each with a complaint index of 15 or lower.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2015Avoid 2025Best 2021Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 9,066
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 361
- Fires reported
- 92
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 60 | 638 | 56 | 13 | 1 | Engine | 19 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 45 | 695 | 16 | 9 | 0 | HVAC | 18.5 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 50 | 685 | 11 | 6 | 4 | Fuel System | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 20 | 370 | 9 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 0 | 94 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 19.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 90 | 784 | 15 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 95 | 782 | 30 | 3 | 3 | Engine | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 75 | 685 | 16 | 6 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 751 | 20 | 5 | 2 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 55 | 548 | 23 | 4 | 1 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 679 | 24 | 6 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 396 | 14 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 25 | 273 | 18 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 65 | 408 | 23 | 4 | 5 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 35 | 301 | 22 | 7 | 4 | Engine | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 70 | 308 | 20 | 7 | 4 | Brakes | 26 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 5 | 94 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 30 | 174 | 14 | 3 | 6 | Fuel System | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 10 | 95 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 27 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 15 | 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 in the lineup at 100, based on 227 complaints despite no recalls yet on record. Electrical system issues lead at 37% of complaints, median 2,600 miles, followed by collision-avoidance/camera complaints and transmission issues each at 15%. Owners reported unintended acceleration while parking or reversing, automatic emergency braking that engaged too late or not at all, and sudden vehicle movement resulting in crashes at very low mileage.
2025 electrical system problems →2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Index 95 · 782 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2011 Equinox has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst in the lineup, with 782 complaints logged. Engine complaints dominate at 57% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 85,000 miles; transmission issues follow at 19% around 76,500 miles. Three recall campaigns apply, including a seat belt buckle anchor fracture issue specific to this model year. Owners described airbags not deploying in collisions and steering wheels sticking while turning.
2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 brakes problems →
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Index 90 · 784 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2010 Equinox carries a complaint index of 90 out of 9,066 total model complaints, with 784 filed for this year alone. Engine problems make up 41% of those complaints at a median mileage of 81,700 miles, and transmission issues add another 23% around 83,500 miles. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns, including a windshield defroster/defogger compliance issue and a power height adjuster bolt problem shared with other GM models. Owners reported stalling, engine fires, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →2010 visibility & wipers problems →
2015 Chevrolet Equinox Index 85 · 679 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2015 Equinox has a complaint index of 85 from 679 complaints. Visibility and wiper problems lead at 41% of complaints, median 76,352 miles, followed by engine issues at 35% around 89,500 miles. Two recalls cover this year, including a wiper module corrosion campaign and a side airbag module replacement. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy after crashes, unexpected vehicle movement while parking, and steering that shook violently at highway speed.
2015 visibility & wipers problems →2015 engine problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2013 Chevrolet Equinox Index 80 · 751 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2013 Equinox has a complaint index of 80 across 751 complaints. Engine problems represent 57% of the total at a median 92,750 miles, and visibility/wiper complaints follow at 21% around 56,500 miles. Two recalls apply, including a windshield wiper module corrosion issue specific to this model year. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in low-speed impacts, brakes that seemed to accelerate the car instead of stopping it, and steering wheels locking briefly during turns.
2013 engine problems →2013 visibility & wipers problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 Chevrolet Equinox Index 75 · 685 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2012 model year posts a complaint index of 75 with 685 total complaints. Engine issues account for 54% of them at a median 87,264 miles, and visibility/wiper problems make up 19% around 91,500 miles. Three recalls hit this year, including a body control module update tied to a suspension-related compliance issue. Owners reported engine fires, non-deploying airbags in crashes, and unexpected vehicle movement while parking.
2012 engine problems →2012 visibility & wipers problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Chevy Equinox problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine3,344 (37%)
- Visibility & Wipers1,351 (15%)
- Electrical System1,298 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,072 (12%)
- Brakes1,061 (12%)
- Fuel System1,048 (12%)
- Other876 (10%)
- Airbags627 (7%)
- Steering462 (5%)
- Structure & Body376 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chevrolet Equinox years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2025 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, well above other model years.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
- The 2021, 2023, and 2024 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 5, 10, and 15 respectively, the lowest across all 21 model years covered.
- What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Equinox?
- Across all model years, engine complaints are the most common, totaling 3,344 complaints and 37% of the 9,066 total complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- The 2025 model year has the highest complaint index of any Equinox year, 100, based on 227 complaints, with electrical system and collision-avoidance issues reported at very low mileage.
- Why is the 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox rated Avoid?
- Each of these years has a complaint index between 75 and 90, driven mostly by engine complaints reported at medians between 80,000 and 93,000 miles, along with several recall campaigns per year.