Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 9% | 2,000 miles |
| 2025 | 30 | 13% | 21,000 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% | 14,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2018 | 17 | 4% | 21,000 miles |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 120 | 30% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 277 | 41% | 76,000 miles |
| 2014 | 185 | 34% | 80,000 miles |
| 2013 | 155 | 21% | 57,000 miles |
| 2012 | 127 | 19% | 92,000 miles |
| 2011 | 74 | 9% | 110,000 miles |
| 2010 | 149 | 19% | 98,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% | 93,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 4% | 66,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 2006 | 126 | 18% | 65,000 miles |
| 2005 | 26 | 4% | 37,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was a distortion in the windshield glass, which caused visibility issues while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the Service Manager informed the contact that the distortion was due to the sunglasses the contact was wearing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
After I purchased my vehicle, 2026 chevy equinox rs, I noticed severe distortion on the front windshield. I had it replaced once, with the same problem. They were going to put another windshield in but we wanted to see it first, which was worse than the first two. I do not like the feeling of being car sick. Also, the transmission slipped once, while driving. It felt like it went into neutral and then back into gear. The dealer looked at it and could not find anything wrong. It was good for a few weeks and then it did it again.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle, and the front sunroof panel fractured. The contact's wife had described the loud sound as like a loud gunshot. The contact stated that the sunroof glass had fractured without impact to the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,500.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that during a heatwave, the vehicle was parked, and the contact became aware of a "S" shape crack starting from the driver's side upper windshield. The contact observed multiple reports with other consumers with identical cracks. The vehicle was repaired by a mobile technician. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact stated that while looking out of the passenger's side windshield, the view was distorted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 21,000.
Having issues with the windshield wipers clearing rain when driving and multiple camera malfunctions that I have an appointment to have both checked on 12/2. Wiper stops more than 4 inches from the edge of the window which I could probably just deal with, but when driving it pulls water anywhere from 3-8 inches further across the windshield making it very hard to see when it rains harder or you drive faster. I have owned more than 15 vehicles and never experienced anything making it difficult to see during inclement weather. The other issue is the cameras when backing up or going forward will malfunction for a day or two, then be good for a few weeks and malfunctions again sporadically. Have video of windshield wipers clearing rain issues, but it won't let me submit, so if you want I can email. Pictures don't show issue as well.
My drivers side view mirror has been malfunctioning. Nearly ever time I get in my car the side mirror will randomly adjust to a different position, typically all the way up or all the way down. My safety is at risk as sometimes it adjusts and I forget, then when I go to merge on to a highway or even make an evasive driving maneuver the mirror is incorrectly positioned. While I try to adjust it before I get in the car, I should not have to do this every time. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer yet as I am out of warranty and do not want to pay $250 for exploratory work. The vehicle has also not been inspected by any third party. There are no warning lamps and this change happened after a recent software update.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded without impact. There was a hole detected in the glass. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the sunroof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
The contact owns a 2022Chevrolet Equinox D2. The contact stated that there was distribution in the front center of the windshield. The viewing makes it seem as though the lines painted on the roads were curving inward. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnoised the windshield layers were not laid correctly and the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the windshield had the same failure. The dealer informed them that the windshields were designed in a way that the distortion could not be avoided. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.
Related recalls (3)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017.
Visibility › Windshield
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." an incorrect primer May have been used when installing the windshield. The same primer May have also been applied to the liftgate glass and the side stationary glass.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield, the liftgate glass, and the side stationary glass. The recall began on June 14, 2007. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (277), 2014 (185), 2013 (155), 2010 (149) and 2012 (127) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 41% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox window & wiper problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 22V-165 (motor, Mar 17, 2022); 16V-582 (motor, Aug 4, 2016); 07V-242 (windshield, Jun 13, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (20 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › motor (19).
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.