2019 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Engine problems dominate at 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 4,785 miles, alongside 4 recalls covering transmission, fuel system, seats, and brakes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 301
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 25.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2019 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine111 (37%)
- Brakes83 (28%)
- Electrical System47 (16%)
- Fuel System45 (15%)
- Other39 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (12%)
- Airbags11 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (3%)
- Steering9 (3%)
- Structure & Body8 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported after short periods of driving or while parked, sometimes fully consuming the engine bay.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while parking or creeping forward, leading to collisions despite foot on the brake.
- Turbo failure with repeated backfiring, illuminated check engine light, and reduced power at low speeds.
- Transmission and powertrain smoke or fire reported after a strange noise coming from the engine compartment at standstill.
- Side airbag deployment reported to catch fire during a crash, causing burns.
- Wheel or axle separation reported while turning, with the entire wheel coming off rather than a tire failure.
2019 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
- NHTSA 19V667000Sep 19, 2019Fuel System301 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.
- NHTSA 19V184000Mar 7, 2019Structure & Body120 vehicles
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.
2019 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2019 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Equinox a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th out of 21 model years for the Equinox, with a Good verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Engine issues make up 37% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 4,785 miles, followed by brakes at 28% and electrical system issues at 16%.
- Does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2019 Equinox covering the transmission accumulator, fuel tank seam leaks, a rear seat weld issue, and a brake fluid bleed procedure. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there fire risks with the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 7 fires reported for the 2019 Equinox, several tied to engine and transmission compartment issues.
- How does the 2019 Equinox compare to other model years?
- The 2019 model's complaint index of 35 is better than years like 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015, which all carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than 2021, 2023, and 2024, which rate Best.