YearToAvoid

2015 Chevrolet Equinox Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 37 airbag complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, 5% of all complaints that year, with 17 crashes and 17 injuries reported. A related recall (15V666000) covers front seat-mounted side impact air bag modules on this model year.

Airbags complaints
37
5% of 679
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
17
Median mileage
55,700 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Front and side curtain airbags failed to deploy during moderate-to-severe frontal or side-impact crashes, including collisions at highway speeds.
  • After non-deployment, some owners reported the on-star system or dashboard message indicated the airbags had deployed even though they had not.
  • Seat belts failed to retract properly after a crash in several cases where airbags also did not deploy.
  • Some owners noticed a foul odor or vapor smell from the inflators after impact despite no airbag deployment.
  • Non-deployment was reported across a range of mileages, including low-mileage vehicles and one incident tied to the Takata recall.
  • In one case unrelated loss of steering control preceded a crash in which the airbags also failed to deploy.

When 2015 Chevrolet Equinox airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 26, 2015, latest Jan 25, 2026.

2015 Chevrolet Equinox airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2015Apr 2017Nov 2018Jul 2019Sep 2020Jan 2022Dec 2023Jan 2026
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2015 to Jan 2026; peak Jan 2017 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox

  1. 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.

Airbags complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200538 (6%)
  2. 200611 (2%)
  3. 2007146 (21%)
  4. 2008110 (30%)
  5. 200926 (28%)
  6. 201057 (7%)
  7. 201152 (7%)
  8. 201219 (3%)
  9. 201325 (3%)
  10. 201429 (5%)
  11. 201537 (5%)
  12. 201612 (3%)
  13. 201719 (7%)
  14. 201815 (4%)
  15. 201911 (4%)
  16. 20207 (2%)
  17. 20214 (4%)
  18. 20224 (2%)
  19. 20232 (2%)
  20. 20243 (4%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA lists 37 airbag complaints for the 2015 Equinox, making up 5% of the 679 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes. Recall 15V666000 covers front seat-mounted side impact air bag modules on the 2015 Equinox, along with several other GM models from that model year.
Do the airbag complaints involve crashes or injuries?
Of the 37 airbag complaints, 17 involved crashes and 17 involved injuries, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically get reported?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2015 Equinox is 55,700 miles.

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.