The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 25 of 100 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 319 in 2020 to 100 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 100
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$2,300
- Combined MPG
- 27–28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–3,200 | 2,200–3,200 | 2,200–2,300 | 2,200–2,300 | 2,200–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–32 | 24–28 | 27–28 | 27–28 | 26–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–28 / 28–39 | 22–26 / 28–31 | 25–26 / 30–31 | 25–26 / 30–31 | 24–26 / 30–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 315–367 | 315–367 | 318–330 | 318–327 | 317–340 | |
| Complaints filed | 310 | 319 | 100 | 188 | 99 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 22 | 6 | 14 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
Fuel System: 25 of 100 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox get?
EPA rates it 27–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 318 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 330 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
- Defect
- 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
- Defect
- 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; TIRES:TREAD/BELT
- Defect
- 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; SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
- Defect
- 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.