CarBrief

The 2015 Equinox has two recalls on file, one for windshield wipers that can stop working and one for a side air bag part[1][2]. Owners filed 680 complaints with NHTSA, and wipers and engine are the two biggest groups[3][4][5].

680owner complaints[3]
2recalls[6]
19–26MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 680 owner complaints for this model year[3]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 19 injuries[3]. No deaths are reported[3]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Here are the biggest groups.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Visibility/wiper[4] 250 75,601
Engine[5] 231 90,000
Power train[9] 63 80,673
Unknown or other[10] 54 58,148
Electrical system[11] 45 38,929
Air bags[12] 38 55,700
Fuel/propulsion system[13] 31 70,000
Visibility[14] 29 99,000

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in each group. It is only a sample, so it shows what owners describe, not how common a problem is.

The air bag group is small at 38 complaints, but it has 17 crashes and 17 injuries[12]. No other group in our data has more than 4 crashes or 1 injury[12][4][5][9][10][11][13][14]. The engine group has the most fires, at 5[5].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

Because 15V666 lists only 395 units[2], it may not apply to a given car. Check a specific VIN with NHTSA or a Chevrolet dealer.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and on front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Engine and drive City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, FWD[7][15] 22 / 31 / 26 $2,600
2.4L 4-cyl, AWD[16][17] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, FWD[18] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.6L 6-cyl, AWD[19] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550

All are listed with an Automatic 6-spd[7][18][19][16]. The 2.4L FWD and AWD ratings appear for both regular gasoline and Gasoline or E85 fuel, and the numbers are the same[7][15][16][17]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 4 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover[8]. Its rollover risk is 17.4%[8]. The FWD version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 19.1%[20].

Engine and size

The 2.4L 4-cylinder is rated at 182 hp[21]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated at 308 hp[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US models. Every version is 189 in long, 72 in wide and 67 in tall, with a 113 in wheelbase[23][24][25][26]. Curb weight changes with engine and drive:

Version Curb weight
2.4L FWD[24] 3,761 lb
2.4L AWD[23] 3,929 lb
3.6L FWD[26] 3,920 lb
3.6L AWD[25] 4,147 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

2005: 638 complaints, 1 recalls20052006: 695 complaints, 0 recalls2007: 685 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 370 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 94 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 784 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 782 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 685 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 751 complaints, 2 recalls20132014: 548 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 680 complaints, 2 recalls68020152016: 399 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 276 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 410 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 318 complaints, 4 recalls2021: 100 complaints, 4 recalls20212022: 185 complaints, 6 recalls2023: 99 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 190 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 400 complaints, 6 recalls20252026: 85 complaints, 3 recalls2027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Equinox model year. The 2015 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20056381
20066950
20076854
20083700
2009940
20107843
20117823
20126853
20137512
20145481
20156802
20163991
20172760
20184105
20193064
20203184
20211004
20221856
2023993
20241902
20254006
2026853
202710

The 2015 model year has 680 complaints and 2 recalls on file[6]. Six model years of the Equinox have more complaints: 2006 (695), 2007 (685), 2010 (784), 2011 (782), 2012 (685) and 2013 (751)[6]. The neighbors are 2014 with 548 complaints and 1 recall, and 2016 with 399 complaints and 1 recall[6].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Equinox?

The 2015 Equinox has more complaints than most other Equinox model years, though six years have more[6]. The two biggest complaint groups are wipers and engine[4][5]. The wiper issue has a recall, and the engine group includes stalling reports in the texts we read[1][5]. Before buying, confirm with a VIN check that both recalls are done, and ask about any history of stalling. Fuel cost differs a lot by engine, from $2,600 a year for the 2.4L FWD to $3,550 for the 3.6L[7][18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
By complaint count, visibility/wiper has 250 complaints and engine has 231 out of 680 total[4][5][3]. In the small sample of texts we read, owners describe wipers failing in rain and engines stalling[4][5].
Does the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
Yes, two. Recall 22V165 covers wiper modules that may corrode and fail, and recall 15V666 covers a side air bag inflator that may rupture. Dealers repair both free of charge[1][2].
How many miles per gallon does the 2015 Equinox get?
The 2.4L FWD is rated 26 MPG combined[7] and the 2.4L AWD 23 MPG combined[16]. The 3.6L is rated 19 MPG combined with either drive[7][16][18][19].
Is the 2015 Equinox safe?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall for both AWD and FWD, with 5 stars for side impact[8][20].
Is 2015 a good year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
It has 680 complaints, and six model years have more[6]. 2014 has 548 and 2016 has 399[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. Recall 22V165, filed March 17, 2022: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 15V666, filed October 16, 2015: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  3. NHTSA has 680 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox (24 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 250 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,601). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 231 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Equinox model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 63 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,673). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 54 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,148). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 45 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,929). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 38 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 31 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 29 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Chevrolet Equinox with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 182 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Chevrolet Equinox with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 308 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 2.4L AWD LS/LT/LTZ: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,929 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 2.4L FWD LS/LT/LTZ: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,761 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 3.6L AWD LS/LT/LTZ: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,147 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 3.6L FWD LS/LT/LTZ: length 189 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,920 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.