Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 16% | 6,000 miles |
| 2025 | 78 | 33% | 6,000 miles |
| 2024 | 17 | 21% | 17,000 miles |
| 2023 | 13 | 13% | 5,000 miles |
| 2022 | 22 | 12% | — |
| 2021 | 18 | 18% | 55,000 miles |
| 2020 | 43 | 14% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 44 | 14% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 61 | 15% | 40,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% | 79,000 miles |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 45 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 2014 | 46 | 8% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 69 | 9% | 35,000 miles |
| 2012 | 70 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 74 | 9% | 61,000 miles |
| 2010 | 81 | 10% | 59,000 miles |
| 2009 | 23 | 24% | 86,000 miles |
| 2008 | 65 | 18% | 75,000 miles |
| 2007 | 102 | 15% | 62,000 miles |
| 2006 | 141 | 20% | 81,000 miles |
| 2005 | 159 | 25% | 67,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the automatic engine Start/Stop system engaged, and the vehicle shut off completely. The message "Please Hit The Start Button Again" was displayed, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact press the start button, but the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the gear shifter was stuck in park(P), forcing the tow agency to drag the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,900.
While driving under normal conditions, the vehicle's blind spot monitoring / side object detection system frequently activates alert warnings when no vehicle is present. These false alerts occur intermittently and are more common during rain or wet road conditions. Over time, the repeated false warnings create a "boy who cried wolf" condition, where the driver becomes conditioned to ignore or discount blind spot alerts. This undermines the effectiveness of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and increases the risk that a real blind spot warning may be ignored during an actual lane change. The alerts activate without any adjacent vehicles visible, causing confusion and distraction. This results in hesitation, aborted lane changes, and reduced driver trust in the system. The issue has occurred multiple times and is not an isolated event. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing, the transmission remained in drive. The contact depressed the shifter to move. The contact stated that the gear shifter was sticking. The vehicle jerked, hesitated, and then stalled. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking without driver input after an update was performed, and the keys became locked inside the vehicle. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The telematics module, GPS, and OnStar were not working as designed. The contact stated that the OnStar went into red and lost connectivity and was unable to locate the vehicle. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission automatically shifted to park(P). The vehicle was towed to a service station and the vehicle was refilled. The contact was able to start the vehicle, and the message "Auto Shut Down" was displayed and a 5-minute countdown was started, and the vehicle turned off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that a strong, burnt rubber odor could be smelled while taking out the trash in the middle of the night. Soon after, the contact stated that the front passenger side window shattered as flames began to emit from the vehicle. The contact immediately rushed to move his other vehicle away from the burning vehicle while on the phone with the authorities. There were no occupants inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. The authorities arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed; however, the contact never received a copy of the report. Police were also present at the scene of the fire but were not certain if a report was filed. Per the fire investigation, it was determined that the fire was caused by the driver-side seat warmer. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, causing his wife to make the left turn at 40 MPH uphill. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated as his wife was driving uphill. The contact stated that his wife then pulled into a driveway and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated temporarily however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the alarm sounded. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure had occurred due to loss of communication with the electric brake system control module and the electronic brake control module. …
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine, ECM, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 60 MPH, with the accelerator pedal depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to turn off or start up while depressing the START/STOP button. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a loss of communication codes; however, the dealer was not certain of how to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 5,321.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the infotainment screen failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the back-up camera image appeared on the screen while driving. The contact stated that the Blind Spot sensors failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed there was a Service Bulletin in reference to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no repair for the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (159), 2006 (141), 2007 (102), 2010 (81) and 2025 (78) model years. Electrical complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-502 (ignition, Jul 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (46 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (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.