2021 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest of any year, and ranks 20th worst out of 21 years, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 94 complaints, 4 recalls, and 0 fires for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 94
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 25.5 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System20 (21%)
- Fuel System20 (21%)
- Engine18 (19%)
- Other18 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (18%)
- Brakes7 (7%)
- Structure & Body7 (7%)
- Airbags4 (4%)
- Seat Belts4 (4%)
- Steering4 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, including a t-bone impact at 20 mph and a side collision at 15 mph.
- Seat belts reportedly did not perform as expected during rear-end collisions, including one at a stop light and one during a turn at 30-35 mph.
- Intellibeam headlights engaged high beams automatically at various speeds without any warning light, requiring the feature to be disabled by a dealer.
- Transmission felt rough shortly after purchase, at only slightly over 800 miles, even though nothing unusual happened during the drive.
- Vehicle suddenly dropped from highway speed to 30 mph in a reduced engine power mode during cold weather, with owners reporting difficulty finding a dealer appointment.
- Steering produced a grinding noise and vibration during sharp turns, traced by a technician to the electric dual pinion rack and pinion steering gear.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V339000May 11, 2023Other668,187 vehicles
Child seat:vehicle latch anchor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
- NHTSA 23V013000Jan 19, 2023Fuel System23,323 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. 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 N222372310.
- NHTSA 21V612000Aug 5, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,597 vehicles
Tires
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Risk: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,350
- 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.
2021 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Equinox has a complaint index of 5, one of the lowest across 21 model years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Equinox years.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
- NHTSA lists 94 complaints for the 2021 Equinox, with the Electrical System and Fuel System each accounting for 20 complaints (21% share).
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Equinox, covering the fuel pump module, Hankook tires, seat belt bolts, and LATCH anchorage bars. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the top reported problem area for the 2021 Equinox?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 20 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 55,000.
- How does the 2021 Equinox compare to other Equinox years?
- The 2021 model ranks 20th worst out of 21 years, meaning nearly all other years have more reported complaints per the complaint index, placing 2021 among the best years for this model.