Carlexica

2019 Chevrolet Equinox: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 295 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (29% of complaints); the 2021 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 5 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2020

4
recalls
295
owner complaints
7
fire reports
15,000
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 ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: engine (29%)7 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 15,000 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine (engine mechanics)29% · 77 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)20% · 54 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)9% · 23 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)9% · 23 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)8% · 21 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)4% · 10 complaints
Car fails to move while in reverse, the rpm's accelerate but the car doesn't move the transmission seems to not be griping when in reverse i get a reading from diagnostic saying P2723Owner report · Engine · Jul 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 likely and poses a significant security threat for drivers, as there was no warning or engine light indication until moments before the failure. This is a design flaw and should be recalled by the manufacturer immediately.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the braking system became inoperable, and the brakes unexpectedly locked up with no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved trouble code TSB-21NA268. The contact was informed that the brake vacuum pump connected to the crankshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
Vacuum pump went out while driving down the interstate causing hard breaking. Break pedal was extremely hard to push down putting us at risk of not being able to break in time. There were on and off alerts to service breaks assist, however it was not consistently an alert. We replaced the vacuum pump and the issue seems to be resolved. The pump is not available as we tossed it in the trash.Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2026
Vacuum pump failed: On May 28th, 2025 the brake pedal on our 2019 Chevrolet Equinox became very hard along with check engine light, a "Reduced Power" notification, and "Brake Assist Failure" notification. After a mechanic inspected the engine, he found that the vacuum pump had shattered. The mechanic replaced the pump with an OEM replacement from GM. On May 11th, 2026 the same exact issue happened again. 1. The vehicle and/or part is available for inspection. 2. Anyone driving or riding in the vehicle is at risk due to the difficulty of braking. 3. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer since the 2nd incident.Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2026
I was trying to stop at a light and the brakes wouldn't work. I almost crashed into the car in front of me but I had to step on it really hard to stop. Then the brakes were stiff and it was hard to stop. I brought it to a Chevy dealer yesterday and they said the vacuum pump exploded and pieces were in the engine, and it messed up the cam shaft. This is 5l worth of damage. When I looked it up online it seems this has been an issue with GM cars and the equinox was left out of the recall which could have prevented this. I have 95k miles on this car and never had an issue until now. However it is not worth spending 5k on a car that is high in mileage.Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2026
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 report · Air Bags · Apr 2026
My brakes stopped working while driving on highway I80 West. I had to have AAA tow my car to nearby shop. The mechanic said my vacuum pump needed to be replaced and he sees this happen often with Chevrolets.Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2026
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 report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 35 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the turbocharger had failed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2026

When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY19V667000 · Sep 2019

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20V668000 · Oct 2020

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

SEATS19V184000 · Mar 2019

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. 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 N192209550.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER18V576000 · Aug 2018

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Trouble codes owners mention

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

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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

NHTSA has 295 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The most complained-about area is engine (29% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 15,000 miles or less.

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. 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.