2019 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission Problems

37 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox to NHTSA — 12% of all 306 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 16,000 miles. That ranks #10 of 22 Equinox model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 32). One related recall has been issued.

37complaints
16ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
1fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission
    2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    956%
  • 25k–50k
    213%
  • 50k–75k
    16%
  • 75k–100k
    319%
  • 100k–150k
    16%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate before lurching forward. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving 60-70 MPH and decelerated to 10 MPH. The engine revved while stopped at a red light, and the RPM was at HIGH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on six occasions for the recurring failure. The contact stated that DTC: P0401 and P0521 were retrieved and cleared after securing the air box cover after the first failure. The second time, the EGR housing was clogged with carbon, and the oil sensor failed internally and was replaced. The third time, the wiring harness and unknown sensors were replaced. …

89,000 miles · May 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated the failure reoccurred. The transmission failed to shift out of first gear, and the RPM was elevated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

81,000 miles · Jun 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while stopped at a light, the engine failed to engage while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPM failed to increase. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the contact needed transmission fluid however, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that while driving the failure might cause an accident. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,002.

50,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. While stopped, the vehicle would intermittently stall upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart soon after failure however, recently the vehicle was towed to a dealer after the vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. The dealer was unable to duplicate the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

Automatic transmission · 31,000 miles · Feb 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Advanced Auto Parts where a diagnostic test was performed and DTC U0101 and P12A6 were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,533.

109,000 miles · Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who replaced the throttle body, but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 14,000. The VIN was not available.

14,000 miles · Jul 2021

This vehicle has started to lose power was taken to firsteam Norfolk Va where purchased took for oil change and tire rotation also loss of engine power at speeds of 20-32 mph and 50-62 mph. Dealership at Norfolk Va sent to firstteam Hampton VA Chevrolet for diagnosis and came back no engine light and small misfire 3/4 sparkplugs needed changed 177.00. After plugs were changed still had misfire then they felt it was number 4 injector 500.00 but never did work. I took it to national shop for recommended injector and when plugs were pulled mechanic found no new plugs. Injector was replaced with gm part and still misfiring. Norfolk firstteam towed vehicle back to Hampton Va firstteam and they are now giving me the run around. They want a blank check to replace parts till they find the problem. Unexceptable to even ask. …

Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH for approximately a mile, the Engine Power Reduced message was displayed. The vehicle lost motive power, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact spoke with an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact continued to drive, and the engine power reduced message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer contacted the manufacturer for additional guidance. The dealer later informed her that the vehicle needed two computer program updates. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The reduce engine power message was displayed. …

78,000 miles · Dec 2023

The vehicle is leaking oil from in between the engine and transmission I am some bit mechanical and im sure its the rear Maine seal leaking yes the vehicle is available for inspection im taking it to H&H chevrolet [redacted] for a inspection I talked to Christian brothers repair and I told them what it was doing and they told me alot about my vehicles problem and gave me some Estimates and also said they have 2 in there shop right now needing the same repair...How was my safety or the safety of others put at risk? well me and my family went out to get a few groceries and it was -25 outside and we almost didn't make it back home because the car was not wanting to drive.if it had died we would have been stuck in dangerously cold weather.no warning lights came on I only found it was leaking when I started to smell burning oil so I looked under it and there was a small puddle of oil. …

Jan 2025

The transmission system failed abruptly. I pulled away from a stoplight, had accelerated to 20-25 mph, and then the car came to a sudden stop, as if someone had put on an emergency brake. It continued to act as if the brake was on when I tried to go forward or reverse. I put it into neutral so that I could push it off the road. I realized it would drive slowly in neutral, so I drove it less than a mile back to my workplace. Regarding safety, I nearly got rear-ended when the car stopped suddenly. This endangered me and the other driver. I was headed to the freeway, then would have been crossing a bridge, to get home, so the danger could have been amplified. The dealership's service manager told me that something internally had failed in the transmission. As far as I know they haven't taken it apart to find out what internally failed. …

May 2026

Related recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 20V-668 · Oct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles

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.

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.

Transmission complaints in other Equinox years

’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261143131161018214584804063273266374017126113516
Transmission complaints per model year, Chevrolet Equinox.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, 12% of the model year's 306 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2019 Chevrolet Equinox transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Equinox transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.