Chevrolet Equinox Equipment Problems

Owners have filed 76 complaints about equipment & accessories problems with the Chevrolet Equinox — 1% of all Equinox complaints. The worst model years are 2006 (28), 2005 (12) and 2007 (9). Problems typically start around 37,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

76complaints
2006worst year
37ktypical miles
2related recalls
2crashes
0fires

Equipment complaints by model year

’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261228935441112114
Equipment complaints per model year, Chevrolet Equinox.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202542%22,000 miles
202111%—
202010%—
201921%10,000 miles
201810%—
201510%—
201410%3,000 miles
201241%22,000 miles
201141%50,000 miles
201051%47,000 miles
200831%26,000 miles
200791%20,000 miles
2006284%53,000 miles
2005122%21,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
    7
  • Electrical
    3
  • Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
    3
  • Recreational vehicle/trailer
    2
  • Manufacturer telematics
    2
  • Mechanical
    1
  • Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
    1
  • Other › Owners/service/other manual
    1

Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2138%
  • 25k–50k
    1120%
  • 50k–75k
    1018%
  • 75k–100k
    916%
  • 100k–150k
    47%
  • 150k+
    00%

What owners report

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. …

2025 Equinox · Manufacturer telematics · 28,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle's GPS monitoring system had failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions where the contact was informed that a software update was performed on the vehicle; however, each software update failed to correct the failure. The dealer was notified of the continued failure and informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder with no certain timeframe as to when the part may become available. The contact stated that he and his wife are elderly and rely on the GPS monitoring system for both traveling and unexpected medical emergencies. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure where they gave the contact the same information as the dealer and was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

2025 Equinox · Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system) · 22,000 miles · Jan 2026

I filed a different report earlier for the same vehicle. Now the vehicle is starting on its own, if the key is left in the ignition when you turn it off, about 30 seconds to 1 minute later the car will start with no one behind the wheel. It will continue to try to start until you pull the key out. It is just the key in the ignition, no key chain hanging from it. Last week apr 29,2014 the car started and ran for 10 second with the ignition off. How long before the vehicle jumps into gear and runs someone over with no one behind the wheel? I found out that this website does not investigate any report unless you pay $50.00 plus, whatever else they want for it.

2012 Equinox · 52,000 miles · Mar 2014

Chevy has known for almost 2 years that Android and blackberry phones do not work with many new chevys. They have a software glitch that they can not repair. This means that owners are not able to safely use their phones while in their cars. I believe that there should be a recall to fix this problem. I personally purchased this vehicle with the knowledge that I had a Bluetooth in it. I make and receive a lot of calls while in my car and I can not do this safely with the Equinox.

2012 Equinox · 0 miles · Feb 2012

In September 2011, six weeks after purchasing my 2011 Chevy Equinox, I was rear-ended by a heavy-duty pickup truck. I was so rattled by the collision that I forgot that I had OnStar. The other driver used his cell phone to call the police. I received minor injuries during the accident. A few days later I told my husband that I thought it was strange that OnStar did not contact me right after the collision. He called OnStar and told them what happened. The representative told my husband that the rear sensors should have signaled a collision, but, because the sensors did not activate, OnStar would report the problem to GM. The rep also told my husband that this is an ongoing problem and GM management is aware of the problem. The rep offered to extend our OnStar trial period for another 6 months. If GM is aware of the rear sensor malfunction, why aren't they correcting the problem? …

2011 Equinox · 2,000 miles · Sep 2011 · crash · 1 injury

First time owner of this vehicle. The end of June, 2014 began noticing that the GPS would not save destinations when traveling, would have to reenter address anytime the ignition was turned off and back on. Shortly after this, the clock stopped working, when the time was corrected, if would reset after ignition was turned off and back on to the incorrect time. The Bluetooth also began randomly disconnecting and would not connect anymore. Sept. 24th, the vehicle was brought to dealership where purchased to see what was wrong. Owner was told the entire navigation system would have to be replaced, for quoted $1300. Owner not satisfied, was told that it was a defect from the manufacturer, and that there was bad wiring. Owner feels that GM should cover the defective part. If bad wiring exists, this could be a safety hazard. …

2011 Equinox · Electrical · 54,000 miles · Sep 2014

Purchased 2010 Equinox ls on 8/14/09. The vehicle has incurred numerous visits to the dealership to correct a major water leakage problem,defective module which controlled dashboard functions including heat and defrost and a severe oil consumption condition which remains unresolved. Complaints of engine knocking were reported to 2 dealerships with no resolve. Approximately 6 weeks ago the vehicle experienced the same knocking and check engine light. The dealer replaced the timing chain,thermostat along with various seals and valves. This past Monday the vehicle experienced the same tapping noise and shuttering,after was determined the vehicle had no oil the vehicle was towed to the dealer were they discovered the car had consumed over six quarts of oil with no visible signs of oil leakage anywhere. …

2010 Equinox · Recreational vehicle/trailer · 36,000 miles · Jun 2011

Been having off and on problems with driver side air bag coming on and off. It will appear for maybe a week then go off totally for months. I took it in to the dealer where I bought and they ran a test and said it would be over 400.00 to fix. Not sure what to do as this is just once in awhile service airbag! Has there been any other problems with this make and model.? Not sure what to do. Hate spending all this money if it is just a fluke. Thank you for your help on this matter.

2010 Equinox · 47,000 miles · Jan 2013

Related recalls (2)

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 16V-449 · Jun 21, 2016 · 17 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016.

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Equinox years have equipment problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (28), 2005 (12), 2007 (9) and 2010 (5) model years. Equipment complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2006.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox equipment problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 26V-114 (owners/service/other manual, Feb 26, 2026); 16V-449 (labels, Jun 21, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox equipment problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles; 58% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (7 mentions), followed by the electrical (3).

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.