The Chevrolet Equinox is a fuel-efficient, reliable crossover SUV that’s known for its 2.0-liter drivetrain and good ride quality. It also gives families more cargo space than sedans, and a little bit more legroom as well.
The Chevrolet Equinox hit the market in the 2005 model year. Every year it undergoes rigorous safety testing, and the vehicle typically scores quite well. In fact, in 2020 it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick because of its high scores. However, mistakes and faults sometimes show up even with all of the testing and the many safety features built into the vehicle. These faults, if they impact the vehicle’s safety, can lead to recalls. The Chevrolet Equinox has about 20 safety recalls since it was introduced in 2005.
If you own an Equinox, you’ll want to check this list and see if you need to have yours repaired to give you a safe, reliable vehicle.
2020 Equinox Recall – Rear Brake Calipers
In 2019, General Motors issued a recall (19V704000) for its 2020 Equinox for problems with the brakes. According to the recall, the rear brake calipers may have the wrong lubricant. This could cause the seals to swell, which would increase brake drag and the risk of improper braking ability. The fix was simple, a prepayment of the rear brake calipers and lubricant at the dealership.
2019 Equinox Recall – Rear Right Seats
About 120 of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles were recalled due to problems with the rear right seats (19V184000). The manufacturer found that the head restraint bracket was not sufficiently welded in place. In a crash, this increased the risk of injury to the occupant of that seat. To combat the problem, GM offered a free replacement of the rear right seatback frame for the affected vehicles.
2019-2020 Equinox Recall – Fuel Tank Assembly on All-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The 2019 and 2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel models could have problems with their fuel tanks. GM found that improperly sealed seams on some of these vehicles allowed fuel to leak near the fuel inlet, increasing the risk of a fire. As a result, they issued a recall (19V667000). Dealerships offer a replacement fuel tank at no cost to address this problem.
2018-2019 Equinox Recall – Brake Caliper Pistons
The rear brake caliper pistons are the cause for a recall of the 2018-2019 Equinox (18V576000). An insufficient coating on the pistons could lead to gas pockets forming in the rear brakes, which would reduce overall brake performance. Bringing the vehicle to the dealer to have the brake system bled is the solution to this recall.
2018 Equinox Recalls – Passenger Door Window Glass, Driveshaft, and Fuel Pump
In 2018 GM found that the tempering on the front driver and passenger doors on some 2018 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs was not done properly. Improper tempering can allow the glass to shatter into large pieces in a crash or if a projectile hits the vehicle. This puts the driver and passenger at risk. After the recall, GM allowed owners with affected vehicles to have the glass replaced at no cost.
The same year, the Chevrolet Equinox also had a recall (17V516000) for its right front intermediate driveshaft, which had a risk of fracturing and separating while driving. This causes the vehicle to lose propulsion, which makes a crash more likely. It can also cause the vehicle to roll if parked on a hill. Dealers offer replacement of the drive shaft assembly for all affected vehicles.
A third recall (18V358000) for the 2018 Equinox occurred when GM discovered the high-pressure fuel pump could detach from the mounting flange. This damage could create a fuel leak, which increases fire risk. Replacing the high-pressure fuel pump and pipe is necessary to fix this.
2016 Equinox Recall – Tire Certification Labels
The 2016 Chevy Equinox came under recall (16V449000) because of problems with the tires. The certification labels on the tires could have the wrong tire and rim size or cold tire pressure information, which could lead the owner to improperly inflate the tires. The simple solution is to have the label replaced with the correct one.
2015 Equinox Recall – Side and Window Airbags
A large recall (15V666000) affected the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The manufacturer found that the front seat-mounted side-impact airbags in some vehicles had a faulty inflator. In a crash, the inflator could rupture, preventing the airbag from inflating properly. This increases the risk of injury in a crash. This problem also could send metal fragments into the air, which could further injure passengers or drivers. A new airbag module installed at the manufacturer addresses this problem.
2013 Equinox Recall – Windshield Wiper Module
The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox came under fire for problems with the ball joints in the windshield wiper module. According to the recall (16V582000), the ball joints could corrode and wear out with time, causing the wipers to become inoperable. Non-working wipers create a crash risk. Replacing the front wiper module fixes this issue.
2012 Equinox Recall – Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The recall of the 2012 Equinox (11V511000) was for problems with the tire pressure monitoring system. The manufacturer found that the system did not illuminate the warning light at the 25% mark as it was designed. This could lead to drivers driving with underinflated tires, which increases the risk of a blowout. GM dealers offered a free update to the system to fix this problem.
2011 Equinox Recall – Front Safety Belt
Some models of the 2011 Equinox had problems with the front seat belt assembly fracturing in safety crash tests. This increased the risk of serious injury because the belt system did not work as it was designed to. GM issued a recall (10V623000) for this problem in December of 2010. Owners can bring their vehicles to a dealership to have it tested. If it has this fault, a quick modification of the safety belt will fix the problem.
2010-2012 Equinox Recall – Driver and Passenger Seat Power Adjustment
In the 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles that have power height-adjustable front seats, a problem with the design could let the bolt fall out and the seat to drop suddenly into its lowest position. If this happens on the driver’s side, it could affect control over the vehicle. Replacing the bolts fixes the problem, and so Chevrolet issued a recall (14V447000) in 2014 to help owners make their vehicles safer.
2010-2013 Equinox Recall – Ignition System Problem
For the 2010-2013 Equinox, a potential problem with the ignition system could allow the key to be removed when the vehicle is not in park, and this problem led to a recall (16V502000). This creates a risk for the vehicle to roll while the occupants are exiting, which puts them at high risk for injury. A new cylinder lock housing fixes this problem.
2010 Equinox Recall – Defrosting and Defogging System
The 2010 Equinox had a defrosting and defogging system that did not meet the federal requirements, leading to a recall (09V489000). A software problem on the center instrument panel caused the entire HVAC system, including the defrost and defogging controls, to become inoperable. This potentially impacts visibility when driving in frosty or foggy conditions, leading to a higher risk of crashing. Owners notified of this recall had the option to have their center instrument panel replaced.
2007 Equinox Recalls – Airbag Concerns, Windshield Problems, and Fuel Pump Issues
The 2007 Equinox has several potential recalls. In 2007, the current-year model of the Equinox had a recall (07V520000). Models with the optional roof rail airbags or sunroof failed to pass impact tests. This increased the potential risk of head injury during a crash. Owners could take their SUVs to a dealership to have an energy-absorbing foam piece installed to the trim to reduce this risk.
A second airbag recall (07V344000) found an issue with the right front passenger detection system. This system stops the airbag from deploying when a child is sitting in the seat. To fix the problem, dealers need to re-calibrate the sensor.
Also in 2007, GM issued a recall (07V242000) for the windshield. The manufacturer stated that the wrong primer was potentially used when installing the windshield. This increased the risk of the windshield dislodging in a crash. The liftgate glass and side stationary glass may also have this primer.
In 2012 Chevrolet issued another recall (12V459000) for the 2007 Equinox. This time the issue was a plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module that was prone to cracking, creating a fuel leak. Fuel leaks create a higher risk of fire. GM offered a replacement of the fuel module to address this concern.
2005 Equinox Recall – Power Train Automatic Transmission
The first recall to hit the news feeds for the Equinox was a 2004 recall (04V302000) for the 2005 model’s automatic transmission. According to the recall, a lock cable end fitting was not fully seated on a shifter nail head when the automatic transmission was installed. This could keep the shifter from locking into the park position properly when the key is removed from the ignition. Owners who have an affected SUV should bring it to a Chevrolet dealer for an inspection to ensure the shift lock is functioning properly.
Is Your Vehicle on This List? Here’s What to Do
If your Chevrolet Equinox is on this list, and you registered it when you bought it, you should have received notice from GM after the recall was issued. However, you may still have an issue even if you didn’t receive a recall notice. The easiest way to check your vehicle is to input the VIN on the NHTSA website’s recall search feature. This will show any potential recalls for your specific vehicle. The search goes back 15 years and shows all safety recalls on the vehicle.
Remember, just because you have the make, model, and year that has a potential recall does not mean your specific vehicle is included in the recall. Sometimes only one trim, a specific drivetrain, or a handful of the vehicles have the fault. The VIN search will show if that particular vehicle was included. You can save yourself a trip to the dealership for no reason by using the VIN search feature.
If you discover that you have a recall, take your vehicle to a GM or Chevrolet dealership. They will perform the necessary tests to verify that you have the problem, and they will offer the appropriate repair free of charge. Do not wait, because your safety is at risk.
Overall, the Chevrolet Equinox is a reliable vehicle with good safety ratings, but mistakes can happen. By staying on top of recall information, you can ensure that your vehicle is taking you safely where you need to go and avoid any unnecessary risk on the road.
