Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 11 | 5% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 8 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 13 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% | 28,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 4% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2016 | 7 | 2% | 29,000 miles |
| 2015 | 14 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 18 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 19 | 3% | 74,000 miles |
| 2012 | 36 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2011 | 43 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 44 | 6% | 47,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 44 | 12% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 78 | 11% | 77,000 miles |
| 2006 | 34 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 50 | 8% | 64,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle gradually came to a stop. The service brake and service power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with brake control module failure. The contact was informed that the brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired again; however, the failure reoccurred. …
At around 7k miles while driving the brakes and steering suddenly stopped working and all warning lights came on including check engine light. The dealership said it was the main brain and the fixed it. Then last Thursday night while driving on the highway my brakes stopped working suddenly and all warning lights came on again. It is at the dealership now and they are now saying the problem is the BCM. I'm honestly scared to drive on the highway now. I'm really scared someone will get hurt or killed from this vehicle if it happens again.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the power steering became inoperable. Several warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the front camera had failed and caused the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to speak with management and to file a claim. The approximate failure mileage was 8,300.
Car acclerated and steering pulled right, which pulled me off the road doing damage to steering gear and linkage, wheels, front suspension, exhaust system and slight body damage. Could be defect in car causing safety issue. With dealer, GM is involved but have been unable to determine why it happened. Insurance involved to cover damage. no warning lamps or failures appeared.
The vehicle's software, steering, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) create severe, active driving hazards. First, the steering and traction programming cause violent, unprompted lane deviations. While driving 20 mph on a snowy dirt road, the system automatically engaged and violently pulled the vehicle directly into the lane of an oncoming snowplow. A similar erratic swerving event occurred at 25 mph on [redacted] during icy conditions. Most recently, the steering violently pulled the vehicle 6 feet to the left at 50 mph, despite the suspension and wheels being in perfect factory specification with summer tires mounted. As a professional heavy-vehicle driver, I had to manually fight the wheel to maintain the lane. Second, the Adaptive Cruise Control unpredictably fails to recognize stopped traffic on both interstates and town roads. …
Report of Dangerous Rental Vehicle and Serious Safety Incident - Rental Agreement #289216922 I am submitting this report to formally document a serious safety issue involving a rental vehicle I received from Avis in May 2024. Several safety components malfunctioned and put the safety of my and my passenger in a life threatening situation. At the time of pickup, the vehicle had a visible dent near the front right tire, which was acknowledged by the rental agent and dismissed as cosmetic. I also noted a faulty rear hatch, which opened unpredictably and struck occupants in the head on multiple occasions as it behaved erratically. Over the course of the rental, the vehicle displayed additional signs of mechanical failure - including instability at highway speeds, loud squealing, and parts of the bumper physically falling off during the trip. …
The 2023 Equinox owner's manual states that the Equinox can be flat towed behind a motorhome with all four wheels on the ground. I bought the vehicle based on this representation for towing behind our motorhome. When towing thorough turns at certain speeds and of certain radius and duration, the Equinox tires make a loud screeching noise and the smell of burning rubber is noticed. This condition begins shortly after the Equinox enters the turn and ends once the Equinox completes the turn. A video camera inside the Equinox shows the steering wheel vibrating strongly left/right accompanied by the screeching noise, and the degree to which the steering wheel rotates during the turn is LESS than when the Equinox is driven through the same turn. (See video at https://youtu.be/vEMAQiKWW64?t=14). …
Electronics continually work in a "muted" manor. Not enough heat from the seat, steering wheel etc. Park assist and cruise control disengage on their own. Infotainment screen fails to recognize key fob and reboots radio. Entire camera system frequently goes out with an error that no cameras are even hooked up. HVAC system runs way too cold. Blower cuts out. Random vents will work, others don't or struggle. Zero airflow out of the rear vents. Excessive water drips out of vehicle from several spots while either minimal or no exhaust coming from tailpipe. Sometimes exhaust comes from under the hood. Transmission shifts when it shouldn't and doesn't when it should. Grinding sensation from gas pedal upon accelerating. Very sluggish. No power. Rpms reach 3000-4000 trying to accelerate down steep inclines. Gravity is no match for this vehicle. …
NHTSA investigations
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (78), 2005 (50), 2008 (44), 2010 (44) and 2011 (43) model years. Steering complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Chevrolet Equinox model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (5 mentions), followed by the column (2).
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.