Summary
The Chevrolet Equinox has 17 recalls spanning 2010 through 2027, with the most serious being a side airbag inflator defect on 2015 models where the inflator can rupture during deployment, sending fragments into the cabin and leaving the airbag unable to protect the occupant in a crash. On 2019-2020 all-wheel drive models, the fuel tank can have an improperly sealed seam that leaks fuel near the inlet, creating a fire risk.
Recent production carries several recalls across safety and driver assistance systems. On 2025 Equinox EV all-wheel drive models, incorrect brake module software can cause adaptive cruise control to fail to apply the brakes as expected. The 2024-2026 Equinox EV has a pedestrian alert sound system that does not increase volume sufficiently as the vehicle begins moving from a stop, reducing the warning given to people on foot. The 2025-2027 model years are missing owner's manual content, which is a compliance issue rather than a mechanical one. Seat integrity is a recurring concern across multiple recent model years: 2022-2023 models can have a loose or stripped bolt at the driver's seat height-adjust pivot that prevents the seat from holding the occupant properly in a crash, and 2021-2022 models can have an improperly welded driver's seat cushion frame with the same consequence. The rear-seat child seat LATCH anchor bars on 2020-2023 models may have excessive coating that prevents a child seat from latching securely. The passenger seat occupant classification system on 2023 models equipped with ventilated front passenger seats can fail to disable the front passenger airbag when a child or child seat is detected, allowing the airbag to deploy toward a small occupant. On 2020 models, rear brake calipers with incorrect lubricant cause the seals to swell, brakes to drag, and pads to overheat, reducing stopping ability.
Going back to 2018-2019 production, the 2019 model has rear-right seat head-restraint bracket welds that can fail in a crash, and 2018 models have door window glass that was not properly tempered and can break into large jagged pieces rather than the small fragments tempered glass produces. Earlier production from 2016-2017 has an electronic park lock that can allow the ignition key to be removed while the transmission is not in park, allowing the vehicle to roll away. The 2012 model year had a tire pressure monitoring system that failed to meet federal standards, meaning underinflated tires might not trigger a warning before overheating. The 2010 model year has a windshield defrost and defog system that did not meet federal visibility standards, leaving the driver with reduced forward visibility in cold or humid conditions.
