2026 Chevrolet Equinox recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and 91 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are forward collision avoidance (31), service brakes (23), power train (18). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is about 26 mpg combined.
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Equinox model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 3 recalls vs. an average of 3.0 per model year.
Recalls 3
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Equipment · other · owners/service/other manual
Problem: 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.”
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back over prevention · warnings · external/pedestrian alert
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce a sufficient change in volume between the vehicle being stopped and moving at low speeds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: A vehicle that does not emit sufficient sound may fail to alert pedestrians of a moving vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530690. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 18, 2025.
Tires · tread/belt
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Optic and 2025-2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental all-season tires. One or more of these tires may experience partial or full tread detachment.
Risk: Tire tread detachment increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect all four tires and replace those manufactured during DOT week 4024, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252525030. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 16, 2025.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
YOU CAN PUT THIS CAR INTO PARK AT ANY SPEED all you need to do is push the button when you are reaching for the radio or something this happen to me in a walmart parking lot
I was driving down the road in the car came to an abrupt stop. It would not start it just stalled out and we cannot get it to start. It will turn on via the battery, but the engine will not turn on. My children were also in the car during this time as we were driving through an intersection on a busy street.
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV. The contact stated that the windshield washer fluid capacity was only 5 ounces. The contact stated that the small capacity created a safety hazard because the volume of the fluid might be depleted quickly during inclement weather. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure.
Safety ratings
2026 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV N/A AWD
2026 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV N/A FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox.
Equinox AWD
Auto 8-spd · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Equinox EV AWD (11 kW Charger)
Auto (A1)
Electricity
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, most recently for equipment · other · owners/service/other manual (02/26/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (31), service brakes (23), power train (18).
Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox safe?
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2026 a good year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Equinox model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 3 recalls vs. an average of 3.0 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox get?
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is EPA-rated at about 26 mpg combined.
Own a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved November 2, 2026. NHTSA model names used: EQUINOX, EQUINOX EV, Equinox.