Chevy Equinox Years to Avoid

Why 2010 and 2011 made the avoid list

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

AvoidTop issue: engine · 34% of complaints · median 42,000 miles

Owners of the 2010 Equinox describe heavy oil consumption, engine knocking, stalling and transmission wave plate failures causing sudden loss of drive, with problems often returning after timing chain or engine repairs. Many also report intermittent air bag warning lights tied to under-seat wiring that dealers repeatedly addressed.

Full 2010 report ›

2011 Chevrolet Equinox

AvoidTop issue: engine · 44% of complaints · median 31,000 miles

Owners of the 2011 Equinox describe engines stalling or losing power while driving, often returning after timing chain or camshaft actuator repairs, and brakes whose pedal sinks to the floor. Many also report recurring air bag warning lights, and some describe air bags failing to deploy or deploying unexpectedly.

Full 2011 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Chevrolet Equinox years to buy

2009 Chevrolet Equinox

Best betTop issue: air bags · 13% of complaints

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Equinox in its first five years, about 18 for every 100,000 sold: 0.3× the rate of a typical Equinox year. 13% of them involve the air bags.

Full 2009 report ›

2017 Chevrolet Equinox

Best betTop issue: air bags · 13% of complaints · median 29,000 miles

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Equinox in its first five years, about 24 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Equinox year. 13% of them involve the air bags, at a median of 29,000 miles.

Full 2017 report ›

2021 Chevrolet Equinox

Best betTop issue: air bags · 5% of complaints

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Equinox in its first five years, about 34 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical Equinox year. 5% of them involve the air bags.

Full 2021 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical Equinox year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Engine23% of complaints · 624 complaints · median 2,000–74,000 miles by year · worst years: 2010, 2011 and 2019
2. Visibility16% of complaints · 420 complaints · median 20,000–71,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2015 and 2016
3. Electrical15% of complaints · 419 complaints · median 3,000–36,000 miles by year · worst years: 2011, 2013 and 2018
4. Fuel and propulsion14% of complaints · 378 complaints · median 7,000–88,000 miles by year · worst years: 2019, 2020 and 2022
5. Brakes14% of complaints · 371 complaints · median 6,000–52,000 miles by year · worst years: 2011, 2018 and 2020

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2010 and 2011 Equinox drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Equinox year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2013 and 2022 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Chevrolet Equinox?

The best bets are the 2009, 2017 and 2021 Equinox, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical Equinox year. The 2009 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.3× the rate of a typical Equinox year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Equinox?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the engine (23% of complaints), followed by visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (16%) and the electrical system (15%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering Equinox model years 2008 to 2027, the most recent in February 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.