2019 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Chevrolet Equinox, 2018 to 2024 model years
Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2019 compares

About average for the Equinox

Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Equinox year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 5,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Equinox years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (106, 34% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the fuel system. That ranks 8th of 13 Equinox years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.

Complaints310filed with NHTSA
Recalls4for this model year
Crashes239 injuries reported
Fires7reported in complaints
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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox before you buy.

Engine and cooling

106 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Reduced Speed" was displayed. The dealer was contacted, and a diagnostic test was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,000 miles
Unusual engine noise inspection at 86011 miles determined engine failure do to metal shavings and particles found in engine oils and oil filter by GM Dealership wher serviced only by them at mileage intervals on record and purchased new in 2019.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brakes and stability control

88 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had just come back from [XXX]. I just gotten off the highway was turning to go home went to break and I could not depress the break on my dashboard. It said brake assistant failure or brake assistance. Something I was 2 miles from home. I had two babies in the car. I had to drive it 2 mph because it was after dark and there was no way…Owner complaint, filed 2026
1- brakes failed entering garage they were applied, it screeched and hit the wall 2- there was a safety risk, but fortunately no injuries, just vehicle and property damage 3 - not reproduce, dealer who had performed rear brake job 4 weeks prior looked at it and said it was fine 4- no it has not been inspected by anyone but the dealer 5-…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Fuel system

48 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

•Vehicle: 2019 Chevrolet Equinox •Speed: Approximately 70 mph •Warning displayed: "Vehicle Power Reduced" •Vehicle reduced speed to approximately 30 mph •Vehicle would not accelerate •Safety risk: Exposure to high-speed traffic and possible rear-end collision •Dealer stated VIN is not covered by any recall •Symptoms appear consistent…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) connector corroded and disabled the fuel pump system. My car's fuel system failed while driving, and I had to pull over. After further research, I found that this particular FPCM and connector are located by the rear passenger axle and are exposed to the weather elements. This makes corrosion highly…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Electrical system

45 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The instrument cluster and driver information center is completely blank, and none of the steering wheel controls are operating. Vehicle starts and runs normally, but no indication of speed, turn signals, headlights, gas level, etc.Owner complaint, filed 2026
In FMVSS 138, it says that the tire pressure monitoring system will warn drivers of under inflated tires. My TPMS system failed on my MY19 Chevrolet Equinox around 49,000 miles and no longer warns me of underinflated tires for all four tires. To fix it I would have to pay out of pocket costs starting at $732, per the dealership, on a…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Transmission and drivetrain

37 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated the failure reoccurred. The transmission failed to shift out…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 81,000 miles
The transmission system failed abruptly. I pulled away from a stoplight, had accelerated to 20-25 mph, and then the car came to a sudden stop, as if someone had put on an emergency brake. It continued to act as if the brake was on when I tried to go forward or reverse. I put it into neutral so that I could push it off the road. I…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Cruise control and acceleration

12 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle [VIN] without warning as a result, the driver crashed into a parked vehicle. The driver did not sustained…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 chevrolet equinox. While driving approximately 50 MPH or higher with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly made a dinging noise and [VIN]. The contact had to wait approximately two minutes before the vehicle returned to normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and [VIN]…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 11,345 miles

Air bags

11 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 13,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Air bags did not deploy at all on passenger side after collision with a utility pole. Once vehicle stopped drivers side air bag was release but did not deploy the way it should to prevent injury. SUV was totaled per insurance company due to extensive damage on passenger sideOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and decelerating to 50 MPH to switch lanes, the vehicle drove over an icy road surface and spun. The contact attempted to turn the wheel and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle crashed into the left guard rail, and the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 99,500 miles

Lights, wipers and visibility

11 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 7,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver side mirror changes position at start of vehicle for no reason. This makes for a very dangerous situation while driving as nitro has moved and is showing other than where it was set at.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Intellibeam feature is not dimming the lights when oncoming vehicles are present or there are vehicles in front of me. This has happened twice now in cold weather only (late November/early December) in Michigan. Also, they do not dim while driving when it's snowing. I have tried to disengage the feature using the button on the left stalk…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Driver assist systems

10 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing from a complete stop, the rearview camera and beeping sound were inoperable, causing the vehicle to crash into an electrical grid. The liftgate and the rear bumpers were damaged. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 94,000 miles
today on may 22 2022 i was driving on cruise control at 60 mph when the brakes locked up and slid the wheels. the brakes didnt release untill i pressed on the gas pedal. this is the exact same thing that happened last summer and reported on your file number 11427660. this is a serious safety problem that could get someone KILLED. the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Seats and seat belts

10 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving and turning on a flashing yellow arrow, I was hit by a truck and upon impact, my seatbelt came unbuckled and my body was thrusted into the dash, my Left knee took the impact from next to the steering wheel and my thigh was slammed into the steering wheel.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My 2019 Chevy Equinox, LT model has experienced issues where the seat will no longer recline. Seat that raises but won't recline is likely caused by a faulty seat control switch, a jammed recline actuator/gear, or a broken wire, rather than a blown fuse.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Steering

9 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

At steady highway speeds, after driving an extended period on straight sections of highway, the steering sticks; requires a tug to get the wheel to turn left or right. My car is NOT equipped with Lane Keeping Assistance. I usually first feel this nearly an hour into a trip to our daughter's house, 2 1/2 hrs. away. I took the car into the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I own a 2019 Chevy Equinox which has developed an issue with the steering, the same as occurred with earlier models. When driving straight for brief periods of time, the steering resists turning either direction to follow the road changes. The wheel is stiff and requires additional effort to adjust. I only have about 30K miles on my car.…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Wheels and tires

4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

When driving and attempting to apply pressure to my brakes, there is no digital response for my wheels stopping/catching. My brakes are not giving a complete response when applying pressure. Also, the tire service monitoring system is not working properly. It only shows dashes. My tire information is as follows: Michelin Premier [XXX]…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My P225/60R18 two front tires are peeling in-between threads and my threads are very low compared to rear tires. I have 23,059 on the tires.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Body, doors and structure

2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle started to sway from side to side. The contact then became aware that the sway bar had fractured. The contact stated that her fiancé was able to tighten the bolts and the contact was able to safely drive the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
I was in the driveway at my home getting ready to leave for church, I was pulling forward before I backed up thinking I might be too close to the gates. When I moved forward with my foot on the brake to just creep along, the engine revved up to an astromical speed. I was head toward my son's truck. I steered away but caught the bumper of…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 32,000 miles

Suspension

1 complaintClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

originally system warning message to service brake system. had system checked by mechanic. nothing found. after a few weeks as i was merging on a highway i felt my engine start to stall. I immediately tried to make my way to the side of highway. brakes were very hard to press and car stalled with engine light immuninating, and no power…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Chevrolet Equinox complaints by year

Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2019 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2019 Chevrolet EquinoxAbout average4Engine and cooling
2019 Toyota RAV4Among the worst years7Fuel system
2019 Honda CR-VAmong the worst years8Driver assist systems
2019 Mazda CX-5Worse than most years2Engine and cooling
Compare side by side

2019 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Transmission and drivetrain

Oct 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V668000
Risk
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Fuel system Tank assembly

Sep 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V667000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.

Seats

Mar 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V184000
Risk
In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.

Brakes Caliper

Aug 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V576000
Risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge.
Full recall summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox are the engine and cooling (106 complaints), the brakes and stability control (88 complaints) and the fuel system (48 complaints).

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox a good year to buy?

About average for the Equinox. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Equinox year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 5,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Equinox years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recent, from Oct 2020, covers the transmission and drivetrain. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 5,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should I avoid?

The Equinox years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2017 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.