YearToAvoid

2014 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

53/100

#8 most-complained of 16 Equinox years

The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has 548 complaints and a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mostly by Engine complaints (44% share) and a wiper module recall.

Complaints
548
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
23 / 4
Injuries / deaths
11 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26 hwy

Top 2014 Chevrolet Equinox problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine243 (44%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers185 (34%)
  3. Electrical System48 (9%)
  4. Other43 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain40 (7%)
  6. Fuel System35 (6%)
  7. Airbags29 (5%)
  8. Brakes26 (5%)
  9. Steering18 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body10 (2%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report engine compartment fires appearing after the vehicle was stopped, with smoke and flames under the hood before the fire department was called.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, in one case leaving the driver with chest, knee, shoulder, and spine injuries.
  • One owner described the front passenger seat catching fire on its own while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied.
  • Windshield wipers reportedly stopped working during rain, in one case leading to a crash into a tree, matching the wiper module recall.
  • An owner reported the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own while stopped at a highway on-ramp, resulting in a rear-end collision.
  • One owner reported losing brake control at 50 mph and crashing into a guardrail at 138,000 miles.
2014 Chevrolet Equinox complaints: complaints filed per quarter412014 Q22016 Q12017 Q42019 Q32021 Q22023 Q12024 Q42026 Q3
692 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (41).

2014 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V165000Mar 17, 2022Visibility & Wipers681,509 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.

    Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.

2014 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Equinox years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution67685321.5
2013Avoid80751221.5
2014Caution53548121.5
2015Caution73679223
2016Good40396123

All Chevrolet Equinox years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
NHTSA lists 548 complaints for the 2014 Equinox, giving it a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years covered.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine complaints make up 44% of all reported issues, the largest share of any problem area, with a median failure mileage of 90,962 miles.
Does the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V165000) covers corroded ball joints in the windshield wiper module that can cause one or both wipers to fail.
How does the 2014 Equinox compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 53 is better than 2010-2013 and 2025 (all rated Avoid) but worse than 2016-2024, which mostly rank Good or Best.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.