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: service brakes
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Jun 4, 2026
I was driving in GA and my low engine power light came on and I lost complete ability to brake. The brake pedal was hard and would not go down. I towed my car to Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta. They called a few days later and told me I needed extensive engine repairs that would cost over $5,000 but GM would take care of some of it. I paid $1980.00. I went to pick up my car and was nervous because I lost brakes on a highway and was afraid. I asked them if they were sure everything was repaired and I would be safe and they told me it was tested extensively and driven and all was good. I drove around 2 hours after leaving and my engine light came on and my brakes failed again going 70 miles an hour surrounded by semis. I called Jim Ellis and they told me to tow it to Walter Jackson who told me it was a vacuum pump that they would have had to remove during the repairs. In addition there is a class action against GM about these pumps for my year and make of car. I have asked for a refund from Jim Ellis contacting ownership, GM, Service Team and no one will respond to my calls or emails. I filed a customer complaint with GM and they are accepting zero responsibility as well. I paid thousands of dollars between both repairs and rental cars and the least I would like for them putting my life and others around me at risk on a freeway is my money back.
Service brakes, Feb 7, 2024
Vehicle vibrated when applying the brakes. It started being noticeable when braking at high speeds around January of 2023 and progressively became worse over time. Took it to dealership in January of 2024 to get inspected under warranty. Per dealership, the front brake pads looked brand new (only 21,000 miles on car and no excessive braking) but the rotors were warped and had hot spots on them. It was unclear how the rotors became hot when the brake pads looked brand new, to the point the dealership asked if we had replaced the pads recently. The dealership had no answers as to why the rotors became hot. Per dealer, front rotors had vertical wave lines indicative of excessive heating. They turned the rotors but they still showed hot spots. Rotors were replaced.
Structure, Service brakes, Air bags, Aug 18, 2023
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the front driver's wheel detached from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The contact was injured; she had a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,680. The VIN was not available.
Service brakes, Feb 3, 2023
I've had to replace the brake booster sensor & the part by the vacuum to brake booster this is second time I'm have to replace it . So dangerous to be driving a vehicle on highway and you loose your brakes makes pedal hard . I also have to replace exhaust crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure sensor, engine underfoot won't stay running when it's idle oil pressure control silinoid valve , barometric pressure sensor
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 28, 2022
2021 Chevy equinox vacuum pump failed causing the breaking to become impossible to use while operating.
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2022
Was driving 75mph on interstate and had to brake for car in front of me and had ZERO brake assist. Pedal was extremely hard to push and almost no braking power for vehicle. Vehicle has only 32,450 miles on it. Braking assist never returned and had to get vehicle in for service.
Service brakes, Apr 22, 2021
WE BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY EQUINOX. ONE DAY LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE ON I-75, MY WIFE ENGAGED THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THINKING IT WAS A CONSOLE LATCH. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND ONLY BECAUSE I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, DID WE AVOID A ROLL OVER. STILL WE ENDED UP PARTLY IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BESIDE US AT THE TIME. ADRENALINE SHOT THROUGH BOTH OF US AS WE REALIZED THAT ANY VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO US COULD HAVE HIT US OR WE HIT THEM AND SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT HAVING THE EMERGENCE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL IN THE CENTER CONSOLE NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS AND IN A SPACE WHERE OTHER THINGS MIGHT BE STORED, IS A HAZARD. ONLINE WE FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR INSTANCES WHERE SOMEONE DID THIS SAME THING EITHER ACCIDENTALLY OR EVEN ON PURPOSE. THIS CONTROL DOES NOT BELONG IN A SPACE WHERE SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE DRIVER COULD ACCIDENTALLY ENABLE IT. CURIOSITY OR SIMPLE IGNORANCE COULD COST A LIFE. CHEVY MADE IT EASY WITH THIS HAZARDOUS DESIGN! RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN NAPLES, FL WOULD NOT LET US CANCEL THE PURCHASE; THEY SAID WE "TOOK DELIVERY EVEN THOUGHT THE SALEMAN CALLED BECAUSE WE HAD NOT SIGNED THE TITLE PAPERWORK IN THE CORRECT PLACE. I SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK SINCE WE NEVER COMPLETED THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF PAPERWORK. ANY CHANCE YOU COULD TELL ME IF WE CAN OR CAN'T MAKE THEM RETURN OUR TRADE-IN AND CANCEL THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR THAT "BUY" ANOTHER OLDER, USED MODEL THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT EQUINOX FEATURE. WE ARE LEARY NOW. HELP!