This page covers 4 recalls, 80 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox.
27–28 mpg combined
8.4–8.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2021 Equinox draws the most complaints around the powertrain and electrical system. On the powertrain side, owners report driveshaft and propeller shaft failures, sometimes at relatively low mileage, along with engine stalling at moderate speeds, in several accounts the vehicle lost power steering and brakes during the stall before eventually restarting. The electrical system complaints overlap with engine behavior, with multiple owners describing check engine light illumination tied to performance issues. A recurring engine complaint involves the intercooler freezing and cracking, causing reduced engine power; owners report learning about a related service update only after the failure had already occurred and the repair was underway. A smaller number of complaints mention a rear bumper separating from the body during normal driving, described as a fastener or attachment issue rather than collision damage.
80
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has 4 recalls, the most serious being a fuel pump control module that can fail to deliver enough fuel to the engine, causing a stall and raising the risk of a crash.
The Equinox also has a tire recall affecting vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires, which may separate their tread from the tire body while driving. A sudden tread separation can cause an immediate loss of vehicle control. On the safety equipment side, there are two concerns. The rear-seat child seat LATCH anchor bars may have an excessive buildup of coating on them, which can block a child seat connector from latching securely onto the bar. A child seat that cannot attach to the anchors may not be held in place during a crash. There is also a seatbelt fastener issue: the bolts used to attach one or more seatbelt assemblies to the vehicle structure may be the wrong type, meaning a belt could pull free from its anchor point in a crash and fail to hold an occupant.
At a glance
What can fail
The four rear LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating that prevents child seats from being properly installed using the anchorage bars.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the anchorage bars and remove or replace the finish coating as needed at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump module may fail to deliver enough fuel to the engine consistently, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Hankook tires on these vehicles may have insufficient curing agent, which could cause the tread to separate from the tire.
What the fix does
Dealers will check your tire DOT numbers and replace affected tires at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt fastening bolts may be incorrect, causing seat belts to not attach properly to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the suspect bolts with correct ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
