Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% | 19,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% | 13,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 4% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% | 54,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 3% | 29,000 miles |
| 2015 | 38 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 29 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 19 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2011 | 52 | 7% | 62,000 miles |
| 2010 | 57 | 7% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 26 | 28% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 110 | 30% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 146 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% | 73,000 miles |
| 2005 | 38 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the brake pedal depressed the floorboard without warning and failed to slow down as needed. During the second failure, the contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle initially accelerated upon depression of the brake pedal before the vehicle started to slow down. As the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard; the vehicle failed to brake in time and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's head hit the steering wheel; the contact was treated a few days later for a minor concussion by a primary care doctor. The contact's wife also suffered minor bruising and scratches due to the accident. The other driver was not treated for any injuries at the scene. A police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to park into a parking spot, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove over a curb onto the grass. The contact depressed the brake pedal with extra force; however, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated the passenger's side front fender crashed into the passenger's side door of the other vehicle. The vehicle came to a complete stop upon impact. The air bags had not deployed. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A Police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
I was put in a rental by enterprise from a rear-end. I was involved while my car was in the shop fixing the trunk. This rental had broken window glass under the passenger seat, and the car started sounding weird when turning and driving. On a morning, that same week dropping off my ex now at her job that same week, on my way back the suv started making the sounds more profound or louder (metal grinding on metal) and immediately after the whole front of the SUV hit the floor making me lose control on the highway 408 and hit the wall while spinning out of control until it stopped in the middle of the highway. I was escorted to a near gas station by one of the cops that came out of the traffic that was on hold. They moved the car to the side and escorted us. From there, my ex's mom checked carfax for the VIN number, which came out to having 4 previous accidents of the same front area. …
Equinox Vehicle hit by full size pickup truck, driver to driver impact, with both vehicles estimated to be traveling at or near 40 mph each. The air bags did NOT deploy in the Equinox. Notation of the airbag failure was noted by on scene police, firefighters and paramedics. No other related work, alterations or repairs had previously occurred to this vehicle. No other indications or warning lights occurred or displayed prior to the accident. Vehicle is currently in possession of tow company or auto repair shop.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox D2. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 15 MPH in a traffic circle, another vehicle crashed on both the front passenger's side door and the rear passenger's side door of the vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to an autobody shop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
The contact stated he was driving a rented 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and crossing an intersection when another vehicle t-bone crashed into his front driver's side door. The crash caused him to collide with a third vehicle. No air bags were deployed in his vehicle. The contact sustained multiple injuries and a type 3 AC joint separation on his left shoulder. The contact did seek medical attention at an Emergency Room. The contact also stated the driver in the third vehicle did sustain unknown injuries and was unaware if they seek medication attention for their injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
While having the right of way driving thru an intersection, going approximately 40 mph, another vehicle disregarded a stop sign and t-boned my vehicle on the drivers side. My vehicle was pushed off the road and came to rest in a ditch. Impact was directly on the drivers side door which sustained severe damage. My vehicle also sustained damage to front corner panel along with damage to the rear driver side door. Driver side-impact curtain airbag did not deploy on my vehicle. My vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance company. The at faults front end sustained severe damage and driver and passenger front airbags both deployed.
We were in a 9car pile up. Front and back and drivers side were hit and severely damaged. Airbags did not deploy. After the accident smoke was seen coming from the sides of the car where the seat belts come out of. Both front and back were white puffs of smoke from all four seatbelts. The front passenger seatbelt failed to tighten on impact as all the other seatbelts did. Passenger was thrown about the front area, hitting multiple parts of the body. Car is currently in a tow lot. Insurance is going to inspect it.
Related recalls (4)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023.
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.
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.
Air bags
Certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail airbags or optional sunroof fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201,"occupant protection in interior impact." during NHTSA impact tests, the interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will install an energy absorbing foam piece to each of the a-pillar trim assemblies free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2008. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." in these vehicles, the right front passenger seat is built with a passenger sensing system.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the seat's electronic control unit. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (146), 2008 (110), 2010 (57), 2011 (52) and 2005 (38) model years. Airbag complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 22V-929 (front passenger, Dec 15, 2022); 15V-666 (side/window, Oct 16, 2015); 07V-520 (air bags, Nov 7, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (29 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (14).
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.