How the 2023 compares
Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Equinox year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the fuel system.
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 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (51, 52% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 12th of 13 Equinox years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
Complaints99filed with NHTSA
Recalls3for this model year
Crashes53 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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox before you buy.
Fuel system
51 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
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
Fuel pump was recalled from what I was told. I got it towed into the shop because it stopped in the middle of me driving down the road with my children, from the doctor, July 2026, they then said it was fixed. September 2026, I was going to pick up my son from work and it stopped again, with my children in the car, again, this time on…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The high-pressure fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox has suffered a structural mechanical failure, creating a severe risk of sudden engine stall while driving. Exactly 60 days ago, a certified GM dealership performed Customer Satisfaction Program N252524760 on this vehicle to address fuel system faults. The software calibration…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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on several occasions, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone and a diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: P0191. The vehicle was then taken…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 34,000 miles
I was driving on freeway and went to pass a semi. The suv hesitated and had terrible turbo lag. It almost caused an accident if it hadn’t been for the truck behind me taking action to avoid a collision.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
15 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
Entering a freeway off-ramp at about 65 mph, I depressed the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor with little resistance. Two error messages were displayed on the dashboard: "Brake System Failure - 62 MPH Top Speed" and "Service ESC". The following dashboard lights came on: Check Engine, Brake, ESC, ABS. I held the brake pedal to…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Total loss of brakes. Pedal went to floor on down hill grade. Got vehicle stopped. 8600 miles on vehicle. We are waiting for back ordered part. A month wait till available.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Electrical system
13 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
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
Water leak flooding the rear passenger compartment floor and the rear spare tire well. The water appears to be entering at the rear pillars. On the left rear leak, it is entering the fuse panel. The right rear leaks by the power outlet. I fear this is going to cause corrosion and create problems in the future. I removed almost 2 gallons…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My car is having serious problems regarding its touch screen. 3 times a week the screen stops working and the car audio makes an unbearable noise. It doesn't allow me to use the GPS, it doesn't allow me to take calls and it presents problems in terms of technology.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
8 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
Driving around a curve and the steering wheel would not move. Wheels locked up and heard a clink the lower control arm disconnected from the car.Owner complaint, filed 2026
**NHTSA Complaint Summary: 2023 Chevrolet Equinox Warranty & Safety Failure** * **First Stall & Initial Negligence:** After a factory engine replacement, the vehicle suffered a fuel system failure. Castle Rock Chevrolet falsely claimed it was repaired, leading to a catastrophic stall on a high-speed highway with raw gasoline and burning…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
7 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
On January 21, 2026 i was involved in a car accident with a tractor in which the tractor collided with my passenger front side of my car causing me to slide into corn field causing the total destruction of my vehicle. None of my airbags deployed. There were no warning lamps or indicators from the vehicle showing a fault prior to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have confirmed with a reputable repair shop that my alternator is defective and is dangerous to drive. No dealership in my area will entertain that this is a possibility. I have consistently had problems with braking, accelerating and steering. My vehicle throws codes constantly for suspension, communications, safety restraints, air…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
6 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
My car has a vibration, I went to the dealer after one week of buying it, they first told me it has a learning transmission and after it learns how I drive it will go away. I later found out there is not such thing, the vibration at first was at slow speeds 30 t0 40 mph. I made a complaint to gm and the dealer, the dealer felt the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Vehicle Safety Complaint, 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT I am reporting a potentially dangerous safety defect involving my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT equipped with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. While operating my vehicle on a public roadway, it suddenly lost power and stopped functioning without advance warning, creating a dangerous…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
3 complaintsHesitation, 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
The vehicle is experiencing repeated, sudden engine stalling while driving at speed, creating an immediate risk of a severe traffic collision. In March 2025, the fuel pump failed and was replaced by an independent mechanic, who later had to clear a system clog in August 2025 after a second stall. In August 2026, the dealership replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Recall/Loss of Power I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2023 Chevy Equinox. The vehicle began losing engine power and will not go over 40 mph. This creates a dangerous driving situation because the vehicle cannot maintain highway speed. The vehicle has a fuel system recall, and the issue appears to be related to the fuel system.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
2 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
On January 21, 2026 i was involved in a car accident with a tractor in which the tractor collided with my passenger front side of my car causing me to slide into corn field causing the total destruction of my vehicle. None of my airbags deployed. There were no warning lamps or indicators from the vehicle showing a fault prior to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Front impact crash with two deer, rear seatbelt came unlatched causing car seat to fly into the front seat and the front seat belt did not lock nor did the airbags go off. No sensors alerted.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
2 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
We bought the car in July 2023. We had it for a month then it started to smell like mildew and mold. It permeated into our clothes. We took it to the dealership and they had the car for about two months. When we got it back it smelled like strong soap, but after a week or two it started to smell again. We took it back again. This time…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Front impact crash with two deer, rear seatbelt came unlatched causing car seat to fly into the front seat and the front seat belt did not lock nor did the airbags go off. No sensors alerted.Owner complaint, filed 2023
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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the windows rolled down, the vehicle would shake violently with a loud winding sound throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the shaking was extremely severe, causing it to be difficult to see out of the mirrors. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 40 miles
On January 21, 2026 i was involved in a car accident with a tractor in which the tractor collided with my passenger front side of my car causing me to slide into corn field causing the total destruction of my vehicle. None of my airbags deployed. There were no warning lamps or indicators from the vehicle showing a fault prior to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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
Driving around a curve and the steering wheel would not move. Wheels locked up and heard a clink the lower control arm disconnected from the car.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire 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 flat towing behind a motorhome, per manual instructions, going on or off a highway ramp....cloverleaf, the tires will squeal like they are dragging. This does not occur every time, however 75% of the time it does. A very loud screeching, dragging or braking, pulling the motorhome down from 35mph or 40mph to 10mph. This is also…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Chevrolet Equinox complaints by year
Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Chevrolet Equinox | Too new to judge | 3 |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 | Too new to judge | 3 |
| 2023 Honda CR-V | Too new to judge | 3 |
| 2023 Mazda CX-5 | Too new to judge | 0 |
2023 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2023 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."
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
Seats
- Risk
- A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
2023 Chevrolet Equinox questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox are the fuel system (51 complaints), the engine and cooling (18 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (15 complaints).
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Equinox year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the fuel system. 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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 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.
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