NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox[1]. The biggest group names the fuel and propulsion system[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 20 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving, sometimes in traffic, and then being slow or unwilling to restart.
- Engine. 18 complaints[6]. Owners describe sudden power loss, rough running and a check engine light, with some cars needing a tow.
- Electrical System. 18 complaints[7]. Owners describe screens going dark, radio and camera glitches, door locks that stop responding and warning messages popping up on the dash. The median mileage at failure is 55,000[7].
- Unknown Or Other. 17 complaints[8]. These reports do not fit a clear component, so we say little about them.
- Power Train. 17 complaints[9]. Owners describe reduced power warnings, shaking, rough shifting and a car that would not go into park.
- Brakes. 8 complaints[10]. Owners describe trouble with braking, and one injury is reported in this group[10].
- Structure. 5 complaints[11]. One injury is reported in this group[11].
- Fuel System, Gasoline. 5 complaints[12]. The median mileage at failure is 61,000[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Equinox is necessarily included.
- Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor (23V339), May 2023. About 668,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump › Control/Drive Module (23V013), January 2023. About 23,323 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Tires › Tread/Belt (21V612), August 2021. About 9,597 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners (20V811), December 2020. About 470 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Equinox with 1.5L 4-cylinder[19] | 170 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2021 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 | 1 |
| 2006 | 695 | 0 |
| 2007 | 685 | 4 |
| 2008 | 370 | 0 |
| 2009 | 94 | 0 |
| 2010 | 784 | 3 |
| 2011 | 782 | 3 |
| 2012 | 685 | 3 |
| 2013 | 751 | 2 |
| 2014 | 548 | 1 |
| 2015 | 680 | 2 |
| 2016 | 399 | 1 |
| 2017 | 276 | 0 |
| 2018 | 410 | 5 |
| 2019 | 306 | 4 |
| 2020 | 318 | 4 |
| 2021 | 100 | 4 |
| 2022 | 185 | 6 |
| 2023 | 99 | 3 |
| 2024 | 190 | 2 |
| 2025 | 400 | 6 |
| 2026 | 85 | 3 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Equinox show 100 complaints and 4 recalls for 2021[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 18 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (784)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2021 Equinox?
The 2021 Equinox has 100 complaints on file[1]. Power loss and stalling show up across the fuel, engine and power train groups[2][6][9]. Electrical troubles are also a steady theme[7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a dealer about open recall work before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
- The biggest complaint group names the fuel and propulsion system, followed by the engine and electrical system[2][6][7].
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts list 4 recalls[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints does the 2021 Equinox have?
- NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Other Chevrolet models from 2021
Similar cars from 2021: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Equinox model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V339, filed May 11, 2023: Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V013, filed January 19, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump › Control / Drive Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V612, filed August 5, 2021: Tires › Tread / Belt. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V811, filed December 23, 2020: Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2021 Chevrolet Equinox with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 1.5L AWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,466 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV 1.5L FWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,274 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov