Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 548 safety complaints
about the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox with the US government. Of those, 23 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 11 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering visibility.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 218 complaints, 40% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 79,500 miles,
the median across the 373
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers April 2014 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
548 complaints on file
548
Complaints
23
Describe a crash
4
Mention fire
11
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 218 · 40%
218 40%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 167 · 30%
167 30%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46 · 8%
46 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 42 · 8%
42 8%
POWER TRAIN 40 · 7%
40 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 34 · 6%
34 6%
AIR BAGS 29 · 5%
29 5%
VISIBILITY 19 · 3%
19 3%
STEERING 18 · 3%
18 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18 · 3%
18 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 15 · 3%
15 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12 · 2%
12 2%
088177
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 548.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2019 at 107.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Chevrolet EQUINOX, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
17.4%
19.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
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.
The risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
General Motors, LLC · up to 681,509 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
2 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
EA19005
Closed engineering analysis · opened December 13, 2019 · closed November 28, 2022 · led to recall 22V165000
visibility, visibility and the wipers
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
RQ18002
Closed recall query · opened November 2, 2018 · closed December 19, 2019
visibility, visibility and the wipers
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
3 injured · crash · 22,400 miles
MY CAR WAS BROADSIDED BY A TRUCK THAT DID NOT STOP AT A RED LIGHT.THE TRUCK STRUCK MY CAR IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERFORE THE DRIVER WAS INJURED UNECSSARILY.
NHTSA complaint 10730243. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 injured · crash · towed
I BOUGHT MY 2014 CHEVY EQUINOX NEW. I WAS IN CRASH WHICH I HIT A FULL SIZE CHEVY TRUCK IN THE DRIVER DOOR AND IT TOTALED MY CAR AND NOT ONE AIR BAG CAME. I WAS CROSSING EAST AND WEST THE TRUCK WAS GOING NORTH TO SOUTH
NHTSA complaint 10864509. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 43,000 miles
WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT 9/8/2016. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. FRONT END HEAVILY DAMAGED. AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK OR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT. DRIVING STRAIGHT AT INTERSECTION AND OTHER PARTY RAN RED LIGHT STRIKING THE LEFT FRONT AND CAUSING FRAME TO CRACK.
NHTSA complaint 10915132. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 18,000 miles
IN MY 2014 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, NOONTIME, SUNDAY, SITTING AT RED LIGHT POINTED WEST, THREE LANE ROAD, WAITING TO CROSS 7 LANE ROAD, GOT THE GREEN LIGHT, PROCEEDED FORWARD UP TO MAYBE 10MPH AND GOT TO ABOUT 2ND LANE OF 7 TO CROSS INTERSECTION, THEN WHAM, I AM HIT IN THE INTERSECTION, LEFT SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF FRONT WHEEL, BY CAR THAT RAN RED LIGHT AT FULL SPEED GOING NORTH, BASICALLY TOOK FRONT OF MY CAR OFF, SPUN ME 1 3/4 TIMES TO NOW FACE SOUTH, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY BODY LEFT SIDE HEAD, SHOULDER AND HIP HIT THE LEFT SIDE INTERIOR EVEN THOUGH MY SEAT BEAT WAS ON (WAS DAZED AND HAD HELP GETTING BELT OFF) AND RECEIVED CONCUSSION, NECK INJURY, HEARING DIFFICULTY, ACCELERATED MEMORY …
NHTSA complaint 11321155, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from an independent dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the check engine warning light immediately illuminated while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, and an OBD-II scanner was attached, and it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 112,000 and at the time it was discovered that the mileage was 192,000.
NHTSA complaint 11766330. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Oil consumption, took to dealer and dealer replaced parts with manufacturers replacement parts, 1 and a half year later oil consumption happened again, dealer checked 2nd time and said manufacturer will not cover 2nd time for same issue.
NHTSA complaint 11756787. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE
120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon hooking up a trailer to the vehicle, a severe amount of rust and corrosion was noticed along the entire bottom of the vehicle. The contact emphasized a concern for safety with all the corrosion uncovered underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA complaint 11756310. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Component Failure & Availability: A GM remanufactured 2.4L engine block, installed as a replacement in July 2025, suffered a catastrophic internal failure (blown head gasket) within 11 months of installation. The vehicle and the component are currently in the owner's possession and are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: A blown head gasket with an internal coolant leak into Cylinder #3 causes immediate engine overheating, severe engine misfires, and a loss of motive power. If this defect causes the engine to stall while the vehicle is in motion, the driver suddenly loses power steering and acceleration, directly compromising the safe operation of the vehicle in traffic. …
NHTSA complaint 11753411, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
towed · 86,678 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and shut off on several occasions. The contact turned the ignition key, and the vehicle restarted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was determined that the oil level was low. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where an oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the used car dealer where it was purchased. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain had failed. The dealer determined that the timing …
NHTSA complaint 11742322, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
purchased a 2014 Chevy Equinox from Direct Auto Sales on 03/07/26, and I am currently experiencing serious issues with the vehicle after only 2 months of purchase I noticed the vehicle is making a clicking and grinding sound the vehicle powers down when driving. The problem still exists even after multiple oil changes.
NHTSA complaint 11741693. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed March 17, 2022.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst