Common Chevrolet Equinox Failures: Problems, Reliability And More!
There’s a lot to love about the Chevrolet Equinox. All of its model years have something great to offer, from advanced safety features and excellent fuel efficiency to excellent steering and engine performance. However, this car like any other, comes to present faults, that’s why we have listed the common Chevrolet Equinox faults .
It has a very good resale value, only depreciating 48% over five years. It is important that when buying a car you have basic knowledge about its reliability and its problems.
How good is the Chevrolet Equinox?
The Chevy Equinox enjoys above-average reliability ratings, with some of its model years scoring better than others. It was given a rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking it 23rd out of 26 compact SUVs in its category. Meanwhile, some surveys have found the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox to be rated 85/100 for quality and reliability.
Some consumers ranked the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox 11th out of 18 vehicles in the compact SUV market . Based on these figures, it is evident that with careful driving and regular maintenance, the Chevrolet Equinox can easily enjoy a long life.
Common Chevy Equinox Failures
Although the Chevrolet Equinox is a reliable compact SUV, it still has its fair share of problems. Here are the common Chevrolet Equinox failures reported for the different model years:
1. Problems with fiber wheel wells
According to 2020 Chevy Equinox owners, problems with their wheel wells are common for some units of this model year.
Several drivers have reported that their wheel wells were made of flimsy fiber material, so the pieces crack easily in areas where ice buildup is common.
Ice also sticks to fiber wheel wells, making it very difficult to remove. Some of the affected owners had to go to a car wash to clean the ice with hot water. At the time of this writing, there has been no move from Chevrolet to resolve this issue.
2. Failure of the check engine light to activate frequently
Although the 2018 Chevy Equinox has fewer issues than other model years, it does have one of the most annoying issues with this unit yet. Many 2018 Chevy Equinox owners have complained about their SUV’s check engine light coming on frequently.
When taken to the dealer, some mechanics could not find an explanation for the intermittent check engine light. As for the others, they were told that the check engine light was coming on due to OBD-II code P25A9, which refers to an internal engine problem. Replacing the main engine control unit (ECU) should fix this problem.
3. Battery problems
According to many 2015 Chevy Equinox owners, problems with their battery are typical for some units of this model year. Parts that may be faulty include the SUV’s Bluetooth audio, computerized radio, USB port, and electrical system components. In some cases, the SUV refused to start in cold weather. Mechanics discovered that battery problems in the affected Chevy were causing these problems.
Some owners connected the battery with jumper cables and were able to start their SUV with no problem. Unfortunately for others, it’s still an expensive problem to fix, as the battery may need to be replaced entirely .
When they were taken to the dealership, some mechanics could not find an explanation for the intermittent check engine light. As for the others, they were told that their check engine light was coming on due to OBD-II code P25A9, which refers to an internal engine problem. Replacing the main engine control unit (ECU) should fix this problem.
4. Excess oil consumption problem
Excessive oil consumption is a common complaint among 2013 Chevy Equinox owners. Affected units may jerk before shutting down or shake violently and stop working altogether. Your check engine light may also come on to alert drivers that something is wrong.
Upon inspection, most owners found that their SUVs were consuming an excessive amount of oil. Others were not so lucky, as their vehicles had developed leaks before discovering that their vehicles were consuming oil at an abnormal rate.
This is a well-documented complaint, and many 2013 Chevy Equinox owners have experienced this problem . Despite this, there were no actions by Chevrolet to address this as of this writing.
5. Faults in the air conditioning compressor
Many 2011 Chevy Equinox owners have experienced problems with their vehicle’s air conditioning compressor. Your A/C system wouldn’t blow cold air at times or leak freon. Several owners also pointed out that their A/C only released hot air.
When owners of affected units had their SUVs checked, most discovered that faulty A/C compressors were causing the problems. Some drivers were able to fix this problem by restarting their vehicles , but others were not so lucky. To solve this problem, experts recommend replacing the A/C compressor with a new one.
6. Front Lower Control Arm Noise Problem
Some 2005 Chevy Equinox owners have reported hearing rattling from their vehicle’s front lower control arm. Most of them complain that they hear a rattling noise in the front of their vehicle’s suspension when they go over potholes. Some say the noise sounded like the steering column was going to fall apart as they went over a bumpy area of road.
Replacing the front lower control arm should resolve this issue. At the time of this writing, Chevrolet has not recalled the product to address this issue.
In summary
If you’re in the market for a Chevy Equinox, be prepared to embrace the potential good and bad. As long as you are aware of the issues associated with the specific model year you are planning to get, the purchase should come with little risk. Knowing what to expect will also help you avoid costly repairs through preventative maintenance, so you can maximize the life of your compact SUV.
