The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Equinox

2019 Chevrolet Equinox.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 136 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 39, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 24 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.

39Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.6× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2017 · Worst year 2005

Chevrolet Equinox
Photo shows a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints136first 3 years
Fuel economy24–32 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2018–2024 Chevy Equinox, 9.4M views. The 2019 is the same generation.

  1. Infotainment, battery & electrical625K views
    Chevrolet Equinox Key Fob Battery Replacement (2018 - 2021)Chevrolet Equinox Key Fob Battery Replacement (2018 - 2021)FobBattery · 346K views · 5 videos
  2. Heat, A/C & blend door411K views
    2018 - 2021 Chevy Equinox Cabin Air Filter - How To Remove Replace Change Location Chevrolet DIY2018 - 2021 Chevy Equinox Cabin Air Filter - How To Remove Replace Change Location Chevrolet DIYPYR Automotive · 261K views · 3 videos
  3. Oil changes & service156K views
    2014-2018 chevrolet equinox how to reset tpms fast2014-2018 chevrolet equinox how to reset tpms fastCorsa Auto Repair & Sales Inc · 156K views
  4. No-start: theft light, key & ignition155K views
    UNFIXABLE: Crank No Start 2019 Chevy Equinox *Only 60,000 Miles*UNFIXABLE: Crank No Start 2019 Chevy Equinox *Only 60,000 Miles*WatchJRGo · 118K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
  1. Transmission & shifter55K views
    2018-2025 CHEVY EQUINOX 1.5L Turbo - Drain and fill Bad Transmission Fluid2018-2025 CHEVY EQUINOX 1.5L Turbo - Drain and fill Bad Transmission FluidPro Tips Plus · 55K views
  2. Fuel pump, filter & tank46K views
    2018 Chevy Equinox Fuel Injector Replacement - Complete Instructions2018 Chevy Equinox Fuel Injector Replacement - Complete InstructionsDavid Stumph · 46K views
  3. Oil dilution & oil burning36K views
    2019 Chevy Equinox LS 1.5 Turbo EcoTec Oil Consumption Problem Burning oil Not Leaking it.2019 Chevy Equinox LS 1.5 Turbo EcoTec Oil Consumption Problem Burning oil Not Leaking it.Al Young Cuda · 36K views

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 305 owner complaints, owners reported:

23crashes
5injuries
7fires
24tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

engine43%
fuel or ev drive system16%
electrical13%
brakes13%
transmission & drivetrain12%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Chevrolet Equinox year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 9K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 44K miles on the car (129 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • engine complaints mostly came at 0K–30K miles
  • electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–27K miles
  • transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–71K miles

Recalls 4

  • transmission & drivetrain 2020

    The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2019

    The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.

  • seats 2019

    The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.

Show all 4 recalls
  • brakes 2018

    The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Chevy told dealers about

Chevy sent dealers 1007 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of the timing chain tesnioner gasket…
  • This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of a crank no start or extended…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2300–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Not present at this time, smell of fuel coming through vents I reported more than once to dealer whom never able to find cause. To date, this happens at times when fan on, after starting vehicle, coming from vents.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 11383987
More owner reports

Same as others the turnbo intake tube came off. They tried to repair it with the clip kit and that did not work. My car as been at the dealer since 6/1 waiting for a charge intake tube. No eta on status as its back ordered.

NHTSA complaint 11221650

I was driving about 45 mph and I heard a noise. Engine said speed reduce. When I went to brake the car hard no power brake and was very difficult to stop. It can not be drive because I have no brakes

NHTSA complaint 11318159

Quick answers

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 39; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (43%), fuel or ev drive system (16%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?

4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox get?

24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,500 and 44,300 miles. The middle report was at 9,000 miles, from 129 complaints.

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?

About $2300 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?

1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2019?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data