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2015 Chevrolet Equinox: problems, recalls and reliability

2 recalls and 679 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility/wiper (38% of complaints); the 2017 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022

2
recalls
679
owner complaints
6
fire reports
75,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingOne of the most complained-about Equinox years (#4 of 22, age-adjusted)Weak spot: visibility/wiper (38%)6 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 679 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Visibility/Wiper (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)38% · 242 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)29% · 181 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)6% · 37 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 32 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)4% · 28 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)4% · 26 complaints
Rear main seal has blown three times since I purchased my vehicle from Carvana. I've pulled the engine out myself as I cannot afford another $3,500 at the shop. I'm a single income household that makes too much for financial assistance. The Chevy Equinox was the only vehicle in our price range. That was prior to the seal blowing, again.Owner report · Engine · May 2026
Car uses excessive amount of oil! We have had the timing replaced and now it's stating the P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1.Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally before unintendedly decelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.Owner report · Engine · Feb 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
The ref air bag sensor appeared in my 2015 Chevy Equinox today. My vehicle has not been in a car accident as of today 1/24/26. None of my airbags have been deployed at all. I would like to report this defect and I would like Viva Chevrolet in El Paso Texas to be notified since that is the dealership where I purchased based my vehicle. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2026
According to our mechanic, our vehicle's PCV system became clogged and it increased the pressure in our engine and caused the car's rear main seal to rupture, leading to catastrophic oil loss, loss of power to the vehicle, and engine damage. In our case the entire engine needed to be replaced.Owner report · Engine · Jan 2026
I bought a vehicle from a small dealership as a "as is". My passenger side door shifted. Its does not state on the title and I was not told that it was in a accident. I have had this vehicle about a month now. I have a loan against it.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2025
The 2.4 liter engine in my car has had excessive oil consumption. now the engine oil is like peanut butter and the blow by out the oil fill is strong.Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025
I am submitting this complaint due to a serious mechanical failure involving the vehicle's transmission system. The transmission developed a fluid leak that resulted in a sudden loss of proper hydraulic pressure, causing abrupt and unintended vehicle movement while driving. This malfunction created a hazardous driving condition and nearly caused an accident. Given that the vehicle has approximately 77,000 miles, this type of transmission failure is premature and raises concerns regarding a potential manufacturing or component defect. Immediate review and corrective action are requested due to the safety implications of this issue.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2025
Noticed knocking in the engine and excessive oil usage. I keep my vehicle maintained. I went and had the values and seals replaced around engine for oil. Not even two to three weeks later knocking again. Took it back and engine is burning oil. Read about this make and model having defective pistons and rings causing oil to burn excessively. This has cost me thousands of dollars and it's still not fixed.Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
This auto is not driven often due to the fact that the owner is out of town for work more than she is home. The car was driven on a three hour trip when the sidewall of the michelin latitude tour 225/65/r17 tire blew out. She was able to just make it off the road and change the tire. Upon further inspection another tire shows sidewall cracking that covers the outside sidewall.Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 2 campaigns

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW15V666000 · Oct 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR22V165000 · Mar 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2015 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive typeAWD/All-Wheel Drive · FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

How other years compare

Check your exact Equinox by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

NHTSA has 679 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper (38% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Equinox problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox have open recalls?

2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:side/window. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.