2017 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Owners have filed 370 complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 48.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 8.6%.
Complaints370
Crashes29
Fires7
Injuries30
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 48.1% · 178
Unknown or other 9.5% · 35
Power train 8.6% · 32
Fuel/propulsion system 5.4% · 20
Air bags 5.1% · 19
Electrical system 4.9% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 4.3% · 16
Visibility/wiper 3.0% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 29 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 30 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Chevrolet Equinox in this data, 2017 sits 15th by complaint volume. 2011 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 164 in the last three years against 141 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 66,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Had a rough idle was driving fine. Driving home from regular streets to thenhighway and on thebhighway the on board computer said stabilitrac needs service soon, engine peferformance reduced. Tried to get to an off ramp there was a pop under the hood white smoke out the back and the car shut off on the highway. Had it towed to the closest dealer they have informed me it was catastrophic engine failure. Engine · reported at 60,541 miles
While I was driving the rear main seal went out and I lost all my oil. Luckily I was close to home,could have blown my motor. This is a 1500.00 to a 2500.00 fix. This happened around feb.26 2024 and my car is still sitting I'm my drive until I can save up the money to fix it. Also the few places I have called around to fix it have had other equinoxes in for the same thind,22 that I know of. Engine
Two massive oil leaks experienced while driving during cold weather months. One two years ago (Feb 2023) and the other January 2025. Both instance caused by Rear Main Seal and led to mass oil loss while operating and vehicle almost shutting down on roadway. There appears to have been bulletins sent to dealers from GM on the matter but no indication to customers of the potential dangers. Engine
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…