How the 2021 compares
One of the better Equinox years
Owners filed about 75% fewer complaints than a typical Equinox year. The area owners reported most is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 61,000 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 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (25, 25% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 11th of 13 Equinox years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
Complaints100filed with NHTSA
Recalls4for this model year
Crashes65 injuries reported
Fires0reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost 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 2021 Chevrolet Equinox before you buy.
Fuel system
25 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 61,000 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 engine "sputtered" last night on the roadway, made it home then car would not restart. Repair engine light warning came on at time vehicle engine "sputtered". Vehicle will be at Dyer Chevrolet in Vero Beach, Florida on 10/19/2026. Fuel pump module is not providing fuel to engine resulting in engine not starting - See NHTSA…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The fuel injector module had to be replaced. My car stall while driving and I was stuck at work for over 2 hours waiting to be towed home. I work 40 min from where I live, so there was no getting back home without a tow. The car would not start because it was showing that I had no gas, when in fact I had a half a tank. Had to pay $264.50…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
18 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
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 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a busy highway, the engine seized, and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The local Police assisted in pushing the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 86,000 miles
The check engine light came on and the engine lowered performance because the intercooler froze and cracked. Despite there being a service update to stop that from happening, we were never informed of the update from Chevy, only once it had happened did they tell us about the update and included it in the repair cost.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
18 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 55,000 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 contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the starter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 54,000 miles
I have no sound at all no turn signals, no seat belt no nothing, had Chevy in leesburg tell me I need an update did that and being told to replace radio and amplifierOwner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
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
Replaced a propellor shaft at 59,000 miles 8/23/2025. Paid $859.00. Unaware this could have been repaired and covorerd by a [VIN] warrantee. Six months later my mechanic(1) and car dealer(2) recommend a body control module and possible rear differential [VIN] estimated between $1500-$3500. This vehicle still has less than 69000. This has…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at speeds between 30 and 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started wobbling and vibrating severely. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front half shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 80,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
8 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
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
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…Owner complaint, filed 2024
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…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Body, doors and structure
6 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
I am writing to report a safety concern with my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The rear bumper has begun to separate from the body of the vehicle and becomes loose during normal use. This issue appears to be related to how the bumper is attached (clips, fasteners, or design), not due to any collision or damage. A loose rear bumper creates a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, water accumulated on the front seats floor mats and on the second-row floor mats. Upon inspection, the contact found potential white mold under the seats. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 25,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
5 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
It appears that both driver's and passenger's inertia locking mechanism are defective. They do not lock keeping driver and passenger from going forward into dashboard. I had to make sudden stop the other day, and wife (passenger) went flying into the dashboard and hit her head. After assuming the seat belts auto locked when in use, we…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle behind the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle causing the vehicle behind the contact to rear-end the contact’s vehicle, causing minor damages. The contact stated that the vehicle behind the contact had major damages. When the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 88,365 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
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
Modern white LED Headlights too bright, even on Equinox (constantly flashed with low beams on). My son (20), wife (56), and I (52) are dazzled by new LED headlights. It's actually a huge problem, headlights are too dazzling. I know we're not the only ones dazzled.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Windshield wipers stopped working while driving losing clear forward vision. Dealership has had car for 4 days and still unable to fix the wipersOwner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
4 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
When making a sharp turn left or right from a standstill the vehicles makes an audible grinding noise and vibration in the steering wheel. Feels like you're driving over rumble strips. Vehicle was taken to dealer on 7/28/21 and problem was recreated by technician on test drive. Cause of issue was determined to be the electric duel pinion…Owner complaint, filed 2021
My vehicle has been completely shutting off without warnings on me on major freeways , highways , roadways, other motorists gives my car a jump each time. This is a serious safety hazard for me & other motoristsOwner complaint, filed 2025
Driver assist systems
4 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
blind spot monitor light comes on and off; occurs only on driver side; will occur sporadically - also may occur when left blinker is activated; taken to dealership who states sensor not working and has been an issue with other Chevrolet equinox vehicles over the past several years; extended warranty does not cover it; I am now always…Owner complaint, filed 2024
When purchase vehicle there was only 9,567 miles on it . I had the car for 1 year when lane changing warning and front camera went out. Also effected my car started. Dont know when it was first purchase and they say warranty is up. It could of been the end of 2024 but they say 1/2024.. Miles is under 36000 and the end of 2024 is 3year.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Air bags
4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
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
We were involved in a car accident. We ran into the back of a pickup truck that suddenly stopped on the toll road for another car that was in an accident. Our front end of the car was heavily damaged. Our concern is that our air bags did not deploy. With the amount of damage that our car received why did the air bags not deploy. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox D2. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 15 MPH in a traffic circle, another vehicle crashed on both the front passenger's side door and the rear passenger's side door of the vehicle. The airbags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife did not…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 18,000 miles
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
I purchased 2 Hankook Kinergy PT tires from TireAgent and had them installed and 1 ended up being defective and they will not do anything about it.Owner complaint, filed 2025
As I was driving into my driveway, My front driver’s side tire exploded and the back driver’s side tire has a huge bubble in it.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
1 complaintHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
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
Vehicle suffered an intermittent, severe, and dangerous total loss of acceleration while driving in rainy conditions. Upon pressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the vehicle rolled slowly for 5 to 10 seconds and completely ignored all gas pedal input before finally accelerating. The engine remained at a smooth, dead idle and failed…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Chevrolet Equinox complaints by year
Compare the 2021 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2021 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Equinox | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 1 |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | About average | 0 |
2021 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2021 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.
Child seat Vehicle latch anchor
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete.
Full recall summary
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."
Fuel system Control / drive module
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Tires
- Risk
- Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most reported problem areas on the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox are the fuel system (25 complaints), the engine and cooling (18 complaints) and the electrical system (18 complaints).
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox a good year to buy?
One of the better Equinox years. Owners filed about 75% fewer complaints than a typical Equinox year. The area owners reported most is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 61,000 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 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The most recent, from May 2023, covers the vehicle latch anchor. 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 2021 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 61,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 55,000 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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These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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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.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model