YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Equinox Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#13 most-complained of 16 Equinox years

The 2017 Chevrolet Equinox ranks 13th out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 20 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Equinox years. It has 273 complaints, no recalls, and engine problems make up 71% of complaints.

Complaints
273
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
18 / 4
Injuries / deaths
14 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28 hwy

Top 2017 Chevrolet Equinox problems

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

  1. Engine195 (71%)
  2. Other36 (13%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain32 (12%)
  4. Electrical System21 (8%)
  5. Fuel System20 (7%)
  6. Airbags19 (7%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers12 (4%)
  8. Brakes11 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts5 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine oil leaks out while driving at various speeds, often triggering the engine light and a jerking motion.
  • Some owners report engine fires occurring even after the vehicle had been sitting unused for weeks, including one case that started while idling in a driveway.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple hard-impact crashes, including broadside and head-on collisions.
  • A vehicle unexpectedly moved while in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, leading to a loss of control and a crash.
  • A dashboard fire started while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, forcing the owner to exit before flames spread.
  • A driver-side seat belt reportedly detached from the floor during a crash and failed to restrain the driver.
2017 Chevrolet Equinox complaints: complaints filed per quarter412017 Q12018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
364 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (41).

2017 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 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.

2017 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
2015Caution73679223
2016Good40396123
2017Best20273023
2018Caution60408527
2019Good33301427.5

All Chevrolet Equinox years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Compared to other Equinox model years, the 2017 ranks 13th out of 16 with a complaint index of 20, earning a "Best" verdict. It has fewer reported problems than most earlier Equinox years like 2010-2013.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine issues dominate, accounting for 195 of 273 complaints (71%), with a median failure mileage of 85,200. Transmission and powertrain issues (12%) and electrical system issues (8%) follow.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2017 Equinox, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
How many complaints does the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 273 complaints for the 2017 Equinox, including 18 crashes, 4 fires, and 14 injuries, with no deaths reported.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
The EPA rates the 2017 Equinox at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.

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.