NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox[1]. The biggest group names the forward collision avoidance system, with 31 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several components. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Forward Collision Avoidance. 31 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the collision alert and adaptive cruise switching themselves off for no clear reason. Others say the car tries to stop on its own when nothing is in the way.
- Brakes. 23 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car braking hard without cause, a pedal that felt stuck until pressed by hand, and a sudden loss of braking help. One owner says a part took a long time to arrive.
- Power Train. 17 complaints[7]. Owners describe a column-mounted gear selector that is hard to get into Park, Reverse or Drive. Some say it is easy to bump by mistake and that it has caused close calls in traffic.
- Unknown Or Other. 14 complaints[8].
- Electrical System. 13 complaints[9]. Owners describe screens going dark, the car shifting itself into Park while moving, and warning messages that would not clear.
- Lane Departure. 9 complaints[10].
- Engine. 7 complaints[11].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 5 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2026 Equinox is necessarily included.
- Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (26V114), February 2026. About 5,861 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.[13]
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert (25V878), December 2025. About 81,177 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.[14]
- Tires › Tread/Belt (25V704), October 2025. About 22,914 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]
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.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 26 / 29 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Equinox AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 25 / 29 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Equinox EV FWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity[17] | 117 / 100 / 108 | n/a |
| Equinox EV AWD (11 kW Charger), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity[18] | 112 / 95 / 103 | n/a |
| Equinox EV AWD (19 kW Charger), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity[19] | 103 / 88 / 96 | n/a |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Equinox with electric motor[23] | 212 to 295 hp |
| 2026 Chevrolet Equinox with 1.5L 4-cylinder[24] | 175 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2026 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 85 complaints and 3 recalls for 2026[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 21 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 2026 Equinox?
The complaint record for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is still short, with 85 complaints on file[1]. Driver assistance and braking lead the list, with 31 and 23 complaints[2][6]. Some reports describe crashes and injuries, so test those systems on a drive[1]. The gear selector comes up in the power train group, so try it a few times before you buy[7]. Check the recall section on this page too, since the model has recalls on file[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Owners most often name the forward collision avoidance system, with 31 complaints, and the brakes, with 23 complaints[2][6].
- Does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year count shows 3 recalls on file[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- How many complaints has the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox had?
- NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
- Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- The record is still early. Complaints cluster around driver assistance, brakes and the power train[2][6][7]. Read the problems and verdict sections to weigh them.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2026 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 2026
Similar cars from 2026: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 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 (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 29 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V114, filed February 26, 2026: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V878, filed December 18, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V704, filed October 16, 2025: Tires › Tread / Belt. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox EV FWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 108 MPGe combined, 319 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox EV AWD (11 kW Charger), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 103 MPGe combined, 307 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox EV AWD (19 kW Charger), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 96 MPGe combined, 288 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Chevrolet Equinox with electric motor: rated 212 to 295 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Chevrolet Equinox with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV AWD: length 183 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,583 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX 4DR SUV FWD: length 183 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,428 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, EQUINOX EV 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 75 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,802 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov