Chevrolet Equinox Reliability by Year, 2016–2021
Comparing a used Chevrolet Equinox? Start with what changed between model years, then open the report for the car you are considering. The records below help you identify recall work, reported symptoms and questions for an inspection.
These records do not establish which year is most reliable. The 2016 has had more time to accumulate reports than the 2021, and we do not have sales or mileage data to calculate failure rates. Why age matters when reading complaints.
What changed from year to year
Compare the EPA-listed engines, transmissions, drivetrains and fuel economy with the previous year, alongside NHTSA crash-test ratings and recall campaigns. Open a pair for the details; the timeline does not cover every trim, equipment or production change.
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2016
The earliest model year covered here, so there is no prior year to compare it with.
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2017
The best combined rating for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder falls from 26 to 25 mpg; one recall campaign names one of the two years and not the other (equipment).
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2018 Substantially different from 2017
EPA lists a 1.5-litre four-cylinder, a 1.6-litre four-cylinder and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder for 2018 that do not appear in the 2017 listing; the 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.6-litre six-cylinder are listed for 2017 but not for 2018; five recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (fuel system, power train, service brakes and others).
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2019
NHTSA's overall rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2018 to 5 stars in 2019; NHTSA's side crash rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2018 to 5 stars in 2019; five recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (fuel system, power train, seats and others).
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2020
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder is listed for 2019 but not for 2020; four recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (child seat, seats and service brakes).
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2021
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder is listed for 2020 but not for 2021; the 9-speed automatic listed for 2020 is not in the 2021 listing; six recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (fuel system, power train, seat belts and others).
The record, year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | Combined MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 395 | 2 | 18–26 | Full report → |
| 2017 | 0 | 272 | 0 | 18–25 | Full report → |
| 2018 | 5 | 403 | 0 | 24–32 | Full report → |
| 2019 | 4 | 301 | 0 | 24–32 | Full report → |
| 2020 | 4 | 305 | 0 | 24–28 | Full report → |
| 2021 | 4 | 91 | 0 | 27–28 | Full report → |
The same years side by side on one screen →
Patterns we looked into separately
These articles examine specific symptoms alongside manufacturer bulletins and recall records. Use the engine, model year and program details to decide which questions apply to the car you are viewing.
Sources and methodology
- Recalls, complaints and investigations: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Engines, transmissions, drive types and fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA/DOE)
- See our methodology and data sources pages for how these reports are built and their limitations.