2021 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 95 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 6 involved a crash. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Child seat, vehicle latch anchorMay 11, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Campaign 23V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pump, control/drive moduleJan 19, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372310.
Campaign 23V013000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresAug 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Campaign 21V612000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 23, 2020
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Campaign 20V811000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2026
While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass. After the glass opened, I was unable to get it to remain fully closed. When I was able to close the glass, it would reopen on its own several more times. I also heard a clicking sound during the repeated opening and closing. After this occurred, the power sunshade also stopped operating correctly. It would open fully, but when closing, it would stop approximately halfway and leave the front portion of the moonroof uncovered. It would not close completely. There were no warning lights or other dashboard indications during the incident. The only way I was eventually able to get both the moonroof glass and the sunshade to close completely was to leave the vehicle turned off for approximately two hours and then perform the moonroof reset/initialization procedure. After the reset, both the glass and sunshade returned to normal operation. The most concerning part of the incident was that the moonroof glass opened by itself while the vehicle was being driven, without anyone touching the controls.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 5, 2026
The electronic brake control module causes the car to no start and goes into limp mode. Cuts off the power to every system in the entire dashboard including the transmission making the car very dangerous to drive.
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2026
I have no sound at all no turn signals, no seat belt no nothing, had Chevy in leesburg tell me I need an update did that and being told to replace radio and amplifier
Electrical system, Sep 25, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 72,170, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 206,352.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2025
My audio quit, no sound for warning indicator, no radio audio, or onstar audio. Can't here anyone speaking when using phone, though the receiving party can her me speak to them.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the liftgate independently opened. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred while driving at certain locations. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a radio frequency failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 23, 2025
I was driving my vehicle and went to make a left turn out of a parking lot into traffic and my engine shut off and my car rolled into traffic and the check engine light turned on. All of the other functions in the car stayed on i.e. radio, air and all the lights. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic the mechanic was unable to diagnose my car so it was then brought to a chevy dealership. The dealership stated my car worked fine with no issues and tried to return the vehicle back to me I insisted they keep testing the vehicle. They drove the vehicle around the parking lot again in circles and the cars engine shut off and is unable to be turned back on. GM and CHEVY are stating they have no idea why this is happening. I am very concerned about this considering they tried to return the vehicle to me stating their were no issues and ignoring my concerns at first, I had to insist that they keep checking the vehicle and now it will not even turn on.
Electrical system, Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the horn was intermittently inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the horn to become permanently inoperable. Additionally, the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Nov 6, 2024
When purchase vehicle there was only 9,567 miles on it . I had the car for 1 year when lane changing warning and front camera went out. Also effected my car started. Dont know when it was first purchase and they say warranty is up. It could of been the end of 2024 but they say 1/2024.. Miles is under 36000 and the end of 2024 is 3year. My bill they stat is over 1500. I can afford it in this economy. And chevy should honor the bumper to bumper warranty. Im disappointed in Chevy, that there electronics go in less then 3 years. I hope that chevy for a large corporation will make this right. Cause right now im not happy with chevy vehicle [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2024
Water leaks into the rear of the vehicle from The shark fin (I am told from the dealership GM I purchased the car from). It has however now entered into the fuse box and is getting fuses wet which IS a safety issue if they were to short while driving in a rainstorm. This is a major issue with multiple reports online on forums and complaint boards.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2024
I purchased this vehicle 3 months ago and it had a terrible smell and still does. When I got the car home I started cleaning and seen mold under the weather mats. 1 month after purchase the sun roof and sun shade stopped working. The smell got worse and I noticed every time it rains the floor is soaking wet. Massive amounts of water is draining into the car from the rear seats causing black mold. After doing research this is a known issue with this vehicle. Terrible.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2024
Computer system failed on multiple occasions since we purchased the vehicle NEW. The first time, the entire touch screen display went black and could not control the climate or radio, second time the touch screen display was not showing that it was not attached to the GPS, no time or weather readings, and the instrument panel had no readings (such as oil/speed, etc). The dealership reset the car's computer and we continue to see "the SD card has been removed" on the panel (the SD card has NOT been removed). Any actions taken by the dealership has not fixed this ongoing problem.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2023
When starting the vechile most times the radio will turn on at 75% its max volume. On occassion this will keep the backup camera on and lose all ability to control the infotainment center on the vechile. I also turn my raidio off before I exit the vechile. This occurs when bluetooth connected phone is in car and not in the car. The only fix that has been told to me via the service department is to turn off the vechile and open the drivers door. Cheverlot knows about this issues, which affects more than the 21 equinox, they have not made any effort to correct the issues.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 24, 2023
On 2/18/23 our equinox failed to go into park. We couldn’t shut the car off, nor start it back up. Everything electrical was on basically idle mode. ESC - brake control module came across the dash. The dash also kept saying to put the car in park. It wouldn’t go into park. We called for a tow truck to have it taken back to the dealership. When it was taken to the dealership the car was ON. It still wouldn’t shut off. As of 2/21/23 they want $550 for a diagnostics and a dead battery. Of course my battery would die after 2 days of sitting and being on. This is a major safety issue with GM and chevy vehicles. We have 48,653 miles so we’re out of warranty. The dealership didn’t bother to call and ask what happened nor want to listen to what occurred.
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the messages "Fuel System Needs Service", "Front Detection System Needs Service", and "Side Detection System Needs Service" and other unknown messages illuminated. The contact exited the highway and veered to the side of the road. The contact called OnStar, who assisted her to run a diagnostic test on the vehicle. OnStar informed the contact that two unknown codes were found. OnStar advised the contact to take the vehicle to the nearest dealer for repair. The contact turned off the vehicle for a while. Upon attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Body Control Module (BCM) had failed and the part to repair the vehicle would not be available for 1-3 weeks. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and expedited the repair of the vehicle by shipping the part to the dealer within a week. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the side detection system was still inoperable. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2022
power locks with not lock or unlock with key fob or door buttons, doors will only look with the door buttons after exceeding 60+mph
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2022
I take my 6yr to school when we got shocked, I thought it was my clothes, but my child got shocked also, then pick her up from school took her to the doctor for her foot, I merged out to the main road and the SUV cut off no warning lights of any kind I got it back started after three attempts then about a minute after that the radio cut off , I made it back home and called the dealer they told me to call roadside, I spoke to them , I had my husband to follow me to the dealership, I dropped it of ,they called me and told me it ready for pick up, and told me they could not replicate it ,