2015 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 679 complaints, led by wiper failures (41%) and engine problems (35%), plus two recalls covering wipers and side airbags.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 679
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 24
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2015 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers277 (41%)
- Engine239 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain63 (9%)
- Other55 (8%)
- Electrical System46 (7%)
- Airbags37 (5%)
- Fuel System35 (5%)
- Brakes30 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
- Steering14 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front or side airbags fail to deploy in low-speed and highway-speed crashes, sometimes with OnStar showing deployment that did not happen.
- Windshield wipers suddenly break off or stop working during rainstorms, in one case with smoke near the wiper area.
- The vehicle lurches or moves independently at low speed while parking, even with the brake pedal depressed.
- The engine stalls unexpectedly while driving, in one case followed by smoke and in another leading to a rear-end collision.
- Steering causes violent shaking and loss of control at highway speed, in one case shattering a wheel rim.
- The ignition key can be removed while the vehicle is still in drive, allowing a rollaway.
2015 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 15V666000Oct 16, 2015Airbags395 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
2015 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2015 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Equinox ranks 4th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Equinox years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
- NHTSA data shows Visibility & Wipers complaints lead at 41% of the 679 total, followed by Engine problems at 35% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 9%.
- Does the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for wiper module ball joints that can corrode and cause wiper failure, and one for front seat-mounted side impact airbags.
- At what mileage do 2015 Equinox problems usually appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 75,000 miles, though Visibility & Wipers issues show a median of 76,351.5 miles and Electrical System issues appear earlier, at a median of 39,525 miles.
- How does the 2015 Equinox compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 85 is higher than most other Equinox years; only 2010, 2011, and 2025 score worse, while years like 2021, 2023, and 2024 earn a Best verdict.