2021 Chevrolet Equinox: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has 91 complaints on file with NHTSA. Thirty of them fall into the "other" category, the single largest grouping, with drivetrain complaints next at 16 and electrical complaints at 15. No system in this record concentrates a disproportionate share of formal recall activity, and no open investigation is listed for this model year. Four recall campaigns were issued for this model year, and they touch four different systems rather than clustering in one: seat belts (20V811000), tires (21V612000), the gasoline fuel system (23V013000), and child seat anchorages (23V339000). That spread means the recall record for 2021 is broad rather than pointing to one recurring mechanical area. None of these campaigns is listed here as a repeat of an earlier repair that had to be redone. Separately, the manufacturer's service bulletins for this vehicle show clusters around equipment (92 bulletins), the electrical system (78), and engine and engine cooling (75), out of 611 bulletins total. Bulletins are routine dealer guidance covering known symptoms and repair procedures, not recalls, but this distribution shows where technicians were most often directed to look. CarTold has separately examined engine oil consumption complaints for the 2016–2017 Equinox; that analysis does not extend to this 2021 model year and is not restated here. As with any model year, these complaint counts reflect how often owners chose to report an issue to NHTSA, not a measured rate of how many vehicles were affected.

91 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 10 complaints (11%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 9 complaints (10%)
• POWER TRAIN — 8 complaints (9%)
• FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 7 complaints (8%)
• ENGINE — 6 complaints (7%)
• SERVICE BRAKES — 4 complaints (4%)

CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

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.

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

TIRES

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.

Consequence: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

SEAT BELTS

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA crash-tests each body-style/drivetrain configuration separately, so ratings can differ by variant — shown as tested, not averaged. See how the 5-star ratings work, including why an overall score isn't the average of the three category scores.