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2021 Chevrolet Equinox problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 100owner complaints
- 6crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 5injuries reported
100 complaints, against an average of 380 for the other 14 Chevrolet Equinox model years.
Every Chevrolet Equinox model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
The components named most often in the 100 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Chevrolet Equinox owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 100 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?17 owners · 17%
- Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox stall, lose power or shut off while driving?15 owners · 15% · Recall 23V013000
- Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox idle rough, misfire or hesitate?7 owners · 7%
- Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?6 owners · 6% · Recall 20V811000
- Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?4 owners · 4%
- Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox vibrate or shake while driving?4 owners · 4%
- Why won't my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox start?3 owners · 3%
- Has the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox had engine failures?3 owners · 3%
- Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?3 owners · 3%
Has the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Child Seat: Vehicle Latch Anchor 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."
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. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump: Control/Drive Module 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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. 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 N222372310.
Tires 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.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Seat Belts 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.
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. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
What do 2021 Chevrolet Equinox owners report?
12 of the 100 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 Campaign Number 23V013000
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 for my car to be towed home from work. I would like to be reimbursed for something that happened from the factory. I am attaching the receipt.
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 of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started bucking and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump power control module failure. The contact associated the failure with GM Recall: N252516900. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
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 to rev up entirely during the failure, creating an immediate traffic hazard. A scan revealed an active ABS system failure. This dangerous safety hazard occurred less than 4 weeks after a certified GM dealership (Grieco Chevrolet of Fort Lauderdale) performed…
I've been having issues since the beginning of 2026. It's saying my car has no recalls but I've found that is does on a part that's been complained about by others. I've had the car repaired multiple times updating the fuel injectors and spark plugs but still the same error codes. Yet and still the check engine light continues to come on. So I looked and found out it maybe the fuel pump after all . I'm constantly refueling at least 3 times a week and also the errors come up inside the chevrolet app as well. This has been frustrating to say the least I hope the dealership repairs this issue…
While driving on the interstate, the moonroof glass began opening without any input from the moonroof controls. The power sunshade was still closed at the time. I opened the sunshade manually so it would not interfere with the glass. After the glass opened, I was unable to get it to remain fully closed. When I was able to close the glass, it would reopen on its own several more times. I also heard a clicking sound during the repeated opening and closing. After this occurred, the power sunshade also stopped operating correctly. It would open fully, but when closing, it would stop approximately…
The high pressure fuel pump seized, shattering the camshaft, dropping metal fragments into the cylinders causing total engine failure. GM issued a safety recall for certain 2021-2022 Chevy equinox due to a defective fuel pump modules but it was not accurate. GM is currently facing major class action lawsuits alleging that their equinox fuel pumps are fundamentally defective. The lawsuits highlight that the component fails, causing catastrophic damage and GMs initial recall fixes were inadequate.
The electronic brake control module causes the car to no start and goes into limp mode. Cuts off the power to every system in the entire dashboard including the transmission making the car very dangerous to drive.
I was driving in GA and my low engine power light came on and I lost complete ability to brake. The brake pedal was hard and would not go down. I towed my car to Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta. They called a few days later and told me I needed extensive engine repairs that would cost over $5,000 but GM would take care of some of it. I paid $1980.00. I went to pick up my car and was nervous because I lost brakes on a highway and was afraid. I asked them if they were sure everything was repaired and I would be safe and they told me it was tested extensively and driven and all was good. I drove…
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 potential safety hazard, as it could detach while driving or pose a risk to other drivers. I recommend that Chevrolet investigate this issue for a possible defect and consider a recall if this is found to be a common problem among similar vehicles.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH in traffic, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and brakes became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted after a long while. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it…
2021 Chevrolet Equinox: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox; the most common categories were fuel/propulsion system (20, 20%), electrical system (18, 18%), power train (17, 17%). There are 4 safety recalls. 6 complaints mention a crash, 5 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
Across 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are fuel/propulsion system (20% of complaints), electrical system (18% of complaints), power train (17% of complaints), engine (16% of complaints), service brakes (8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox; the most recent (campaign 23V339000, 2023-05-11) concerns Child Seat: Vehicle Latch Anchor. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
17 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (17%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "The vehicle intermittently triggers steering control, brake assist, and parking brake warnings during both highway and city driving, particularly when coming to a complete stop." (NHTSA complaint 11764564, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
15 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (15%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 23V013000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module). The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11770531, October 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
7 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (7%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11771811, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
6 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (6%) describe seat belts not latching, retracting or locking. A related recall exists: campaign 20V811000 (seat belts). The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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 amplifier" (NHTSA complaint 11744599, June 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
4 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (4%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "When the ambient temperature cooled down to the 70's , The auto stop start system will stop the engine of my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox at every stop light , even driving around in a parking lot. Often it will thump when restarting ." (NHTSA complaint 11491398, October 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox vibrate or shake while driving?
4 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (4%) describe vibration or shaking while driving. One owner wrote: "There is a vibration and wobble upon acceleration. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. It is not an issue with the tires. GM has a service bulletin on the front axles." (NHTSA complaint 11616126, September 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox start?
3 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (3%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11770531, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox had engine failures?
3 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (3%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "The high pressure fuel pump seized, shattering the camshaft, dropping metal fragments into the cylinders causing total engine failure. GM issued a safety recall for certain 2021-2022 Chevy equinox due to a defective fuel pump modules but it was not accurate." (NHTSA complaint 11751317, July 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2021 Chevrolet Equinox?
3 of the 100 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox (3%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. One owner wrote: "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 amplifier" (NHTSA complaint 11744599, June 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Equinox
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.