VehicleVerdict

2026 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is among the quieter years of the Equinox on NHTSA's books: 92 complaints (82% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (28% of the total).

92

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2026 compare to other Equinox years?

Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted1,137 complaints2005: 950 complaints2006: 950 complaints2007: 950 complaints2008: 535 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 1,118 complaints2011: 1,137 complaints2012: 943 complaints2013: 984 complaints2014: 696 complaints2015: 844 complaints2016: 487 complaints2017: 367 complaints2018: 570 complaints2019: 408 complaints2020: 463 complaints2021: 117 complaints2022: 210 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 111 complaints2025: 331 complaints2026: 92 complaints
Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2026 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Equinox years to avoid →

What are the most common 2026 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2628%
Brakes1314%
Transmission1213%
Electrical System89%
Visibility & Wipers78%
Engine67%
Fuel System55%
Other55%
Seat Belts33%
Steering22%
Suspension22%
Body & Structure11%
Seats11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V114000OtherFebruary 26, 2026 · 5,861 units

Defect

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”

Consequence

Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The vehicle cannot be shifted into neutral if the vehicle runs out of gas. There is no way to shift to neutral and roll it to the side of the road. The vehicle ran out of gas on the interstate, automatically braked and could not be moved out of the middle of the interstate. To make matters worse,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 8, 2026

“The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the parking braking activated, and smoke and flames were coming from both the rear wheels. The contact used a bottle of…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 12, 2026 · crash · fire

“The gear selection is on the steering column and to change from Park to Reverse or Drive takes usually over six attempts to get in the right gear. When your entering traffic and you get delayed trying to put the car into the proper gear this becomes a very dangerous safety issue. General Motors…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 25, 2025

“Walked out of the car into the gas station came back out the brake pedal was locked up literally didn’t even wiggle at all couldn’t start the car I tapped it a couple times and then it made a horrible snap/pop sound and works fine for now ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 18, 2026

“Faulty windshield. Replaced with two additional windshields (1GM, 1 Aftermarket) which were both defective. All Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles on the lot had defective (Warped) windshields. These windshields distort images, cause dizziness and motion sickness. The Dealer purchased the vehicle back.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 28, 2025

2026 Chevrolet Equinox — common questions

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 92 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Equinox year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2026 Equinox problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (26 complaints), brakes (13 complaints), transmission (12 complaints).

Does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Equinox years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2013, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2012, 2015. The cleanest record among Equinox years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.