Owners have filed 219 complaints
about the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV with NHTSA between 2024 and 2026.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 86
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Equinox EV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 21
4.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2025 compares with every other Chevrolet Equinox EV
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Emergency Braking
2442.9%
Adaptive Cruise Control
1526.8%
Warnings
814.3%
Body
47.1%
Rearview System Braking
23.6%
Warning
11.8%
Assist
11.8%
Blind Spot Detection
11.8%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV AWD
9.9% risk
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV SUV FWD
9.7% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2024peak 33Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
1
investigation is
still open.
EA26006Opened 21 Aug 2026Still openSERVICE BRAKES
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist due to alleged spindle fractures in the eBoost system. GM has stated that in the event of a spindle fracture, anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control, and traction control remain functional until th...
Recalls on the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
26V114000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
25V878000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce a sufficient change in volume between the vehicle being stopped and moving at low speeds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: A vehicle that does not emit sufficient sound may fail to alert pedestrians of a moving vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
25V704000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Optic and 2025-2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental all-season tires. One or more of these tires may experience partial or full tread detachment.
Risk: Tire tread detachment increases the risk of a crash.
25V012000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV all-wheel drive electric vehicles. The adaptive cruise control may fail to engage the brakes as expected, due to incorrect brake module software.
Risk: A vehicle that does not automatically brake as expected increases the risk of a crash.
24V925000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may have incorrect software and not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
24V737000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, and Equinox vehicles. The door strikers were not properly heat-treated, which can cause them to break.
Risk: A broken door striker can cause the door to open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20260861,255 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, the owner's manual may be missing. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Note: For the Escalade model, the recall also affects certain 2026 model year Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL models. Safety Risk: A missing owner's manual could cause confusion on how to safely operate the vehicle and increase the risk of injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install the owner's manual.
Recall 202569720,824 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the pedestrian warning system not to work properly. Canadian regulations require electric vehicles to make sounds at certain levels when operating at low speeds. Safety Risk: A pedestrian warning system that doesn't work properly could create confusion and increase the risk of injury for other road users. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles to update the body control module software. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a GM dealership.
Recall 20255648,345 units in Canada
Tires
Issue: On certain vehicles, one or more of the tires may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the tread could separate, and the tire(s) could fail. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental CrossContact RX 275/40R21 all-season tires with a date code of 4024. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the tire(s).
Recall 20250145,599 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the adaptive cruise control (ACC) not to work properly. As a result, when the ACC is activated, the vehicle may not slow down or stop if the system detects the need to apply the brakes. Note: This recall only affects certain all-wheel drive models that are not equipped with the Super Cruise feature. Safety Risk: An adaptive cruise control system that doesn't work properly could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, General Motors advises that when using the adaptive cruise control system to be prepared to manually apply the brakes to safely slow or stop the vehicle. General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the brake system control module software.
Recall 20247555,192 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the pedestrian warning system not to work properly. Under certain conditions, the vehicle may produce too much sound. New Canadian regulations require electric vehicles to make sounds at certain levels when operating at low speeds. Safety Risk: A pedestrian warning system that doesn't work properly could create confusion and increase the risk of injury for other road users. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the body control module software.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
San Diego, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CACrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Las Vegas, NV2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
On 10/26/25 at approximately 3:40pm while on a freeway (traveling approximately 65mph) with no traffic or cars in close proximity for the automatic brakes to be engaged, the 2025 ev equinox slammed its brakes on its own without driver braking. This caused whiplash to be experienced by two of the three passengers and it felt like we were rear ended but no cars were around. This is very dangerous. Had there been car behind me this would have caused serious accident.
NHTSA complaint #11695881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 10/26/25 at approximately 3:40pm while on a freeway (traveling approximately 65mph) with no traffic or cars in close proximity for the automatic brakes to be engaged, the 2025 ev equinox slammed its brakes on its own without driver braking. This caused whiplash to be experienced by two of the three passengers and it felt like we were rear ended but no cars were around. This is very dangerous. Had there been car behind me this would have caused serious accident.
NHTSA complaint #11695881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New Florence, MOCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Traveling down a gravel road, down hill with security gate at bottom of hill. Traveled 100's of times. starting going down hill and used brakes to slow, no slowing. Pushed harder and still no slowing. As hard as possible and hit the gate lots of damage to car. It was as if there were no brakes. In fact I think the car speeded up and the brakes released all the way.
NHTSA complaint #11691541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
I have had multiple times where my car kicks in the automatic emergency brake because it things I’m about to hit something. All those instances that it has happened, I was not about to hit something and the car short stops and stops in the middle of the street which is so dangerous because then I quickly have to start my car so that someone doesn’t crash into me since I’m stopped in middle of the road
NHTSA complaint #11748656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Phantom automatic emergency rear breaking
NHTSA complaint #11748485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicle slammed on brakes on highway with no obstruction in front. Emergency system reacts to shadows
NHTSA complaint #11735419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle slammed on brakes on highway with no obstruction in front. Emergency system reacts to shadows
NHTSA complaint #11735419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On numerous occasions, the multiple automatic collision braking systems have engaged in what I would describe as phantom breaking. For me personally, the automatic breaking has on multiple occasions caused a serious crash, both while backing out of parking, at intersections and most recently on Interstate 880. The AEB system engaged and slammed the breaks while changing a lane in traffic and the car came to a complete standstill. Two cars almost crashed into me. I feel less safe with AEB engaged than I feel without it and I this incident was the final straw. I will be disabling AEB. The system is severely flawed and will be the cause for serious accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11733875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the battery failed to continue charging while driving or while parked. Additionally, the door opened independently, the Automatic Emergency Braking system (AEB) failed, and while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a delay before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11726809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the battery failed to continue charging while driving or while parked. Additionally, the door opened independently, the Automatic Emergency Braking system (AEB) failed, and while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a delay before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11726809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the battery failed to continue charging while driving or while parked. Additionally, the door opened independently, the Automatic Emergency Braking system (AEB) failed, and while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a delay before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11726809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving in heavy traffic. It was a traffic jam. The driver in front of me was stop and go. I was keeping a good distance as we were moving along. Suddenly the engine braked so violently I was thrown off my seat and the seatbelt had to catch me. Inadvertently my hand must have hit the the shifting toggle. The car was then in reverse. I was unaware and shocked, so I went to get out of the brake and then started to reverse for it to then brake on me again in reverse, only slower this time. I contact gm, they put me to a dealer, that treated this like it was routine maintenance and had no urgency. They offered me a rental program, but I had to process a lot of paperwork, I asked for another someone just to take care of it, and they just sent me phone numbers. They never advised me not to drive the car.
NHTSA complaint #11726834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Front automatic emergency braking has activated abruptly three times in routine following traffic while I was already braking behind a slowing vehicle. It caused a very hard stop and nearly led to a rear-end collision from the vehicle behind me. Please inspect the forward camera/sensors, calibration, AEB settings, and check for any related fault codes or software issues.” This happened on 3/18 while I was getting ready to go onto the freeway and the cars in front of me slowed down I applied the brakes to slow down and the ABS brakes abruptly and strongly I was almost rear ended. There was another passenger that felt the same thing and commented on what happened.
NHTSA complaint #11725729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
Front automatic emergency braking has activated abruptly three times in routine following traffic while I was already braking behind a slowing vehicle. It caused a very hard stop and nearly led to a rear-end collision from the vehicle behind me. Please inspect the forward camera/sensors, calibration, AEB settings, and check for any related fault codes or software issues.” This happened on 3/18 while I was getting ready to go onto the freeway and the cars in front of me slowed down I applied the brakes to slow down and the ABS brakes abruptly and strongly I was almost rear ended. There was another passenger that felt the same thing and commented on what happened.
NHTSA complaint #11725729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front automatic emergency braking has activated abruptly three times in routine following traffic while I was already braking behind a slowing vehicle. It caused a very hard stop and nearly led to a rear-end collision from the vehicle behind me. Please inspect the forward camera/sensors, calibration, AEB settings, and check for any related fault codes or software issues.” This happened on 3/18 while I was getting ready to go onto the freeway and the cars in front of me slowed down I applied the brakes to slow down and the ABS brakes abruptly and strongly I was almost rear ended. There was another passenger that felt the same thing and commented on what happened.
NHTSA complaint #11725729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle will randomly apply brakes detecting something with the automatic brake system that is not there. I was driving at 30 mph with nothing in front of me and the vehicle applied full brakes and beeped. Also at a light I went to take off as the first car and it immediately applied brakes when trying to accelerate on green. My 5 y/o in the back had her head slammed forward and was crying because of the force from accelerating/decelerating. It’s happened 5 or 6 times since January purchase
NHTSA complaint #11723749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alliance, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle will hard brake on its own while going down the freeway, no blockage of the camera or vehicle in front when it happen
NHTSA complaint #11721150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alliance, OH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The vehicle will hard brake on its own while going down the freeway, no blockage of the camera or vehicle in front when it happen
NHTSA complaint #11721150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The system that failed is the headlight design. I was driving home this evening in a moderate snowstorm, and the snow accumulated and completely blocked the headlights. It was nearly impossible to see the road in the dark without the lights providing adequate lighting. This put the safety of my wife and me (the passengers), and all other cars on the road at risk. This can't easily be reproduced without a snowstorm, particularly wet snow that catches and does not just brush off, but instead accumulates in the recessed light design.
NHTSA complaint #11720555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving on the highway during morning rush hour the automatic braking fully engaged during slow traffic almost causing me to be rear-ended. The braking engaged after a split second collision warning after a car had merged in front of me. I was already slowing down via one pedal driving and about to begin applying my brakes when this occurred and there was plenty of space before any type of collision. I was going roughly 5-10 mpg when this occurred having slowed down to allow the car to merge. Afterwards it took a few seconds for the car to allow me to re-engage the gas to start moving again. This type of phantom braking has occurred in other instances in my driveway and in store parking lots but this is the first time it's put me at risk. It is available for inspection as needed. This has not been examined or reproduced by the dealer on my vehicle or inspected.
NHTSA complaint #11714114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on the highway during morning rush hour the automatic braking fully engaged during slow traffic almost causing me to be rear-ended. The braking engaged after a split second collision warning after a car had merged in front of me. I was already slowing down via one pedal driving and about to begin applying my brakes when this occurred and there was plenty of space before any type of collision. I was going roughly 5-10 mpg when this occurred having slowed down to allow the car to merge. Afterwards it took a few seconds for the car to allow me to re-engage the gas to start moving again. This type of phantom braking has occurred in other instances in my driveway and in store parking lots but this is the first time it's put me at risk. It is available for inspection as needed. This has not been examined or reproduced by the dealer on my vehicle or inspected.
NHTSA complaint #11714114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baton Rouge, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
I was waiting behind 2 cars at a red light to turn left. Once the light turned green, I slowly started to accelerate and turn, the car then came to an immediate stop in the middle of the intersection. The HUD indicated the front automatic braking was enabled. Luckily there was no one behind me so I wasn’t rear ended. This was at night time. This was a completely empty intersection besides the 2 in front of me.
NHTSA complaint #11710823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving several times in normal city conditions, the car activated the automatic emergency brakes stopping the vehicle in the middle of the street and in danger of being rear ended. There was no reason for the brakes to activate - we were driving below the speed limit in city streets
NHTSA complaint #11710821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was waiting behind 2 cars at a red light to turn left. Once the light turned green, I slowly started to accelerate and turn, the car then came to an immediate stop in the middle of the intersection. The HUD indicated the front automatic braking was enabled. Luckily there was no one behind me so I wasn’t rear ended. This was at night time. This was a completely empty intersection besides the 2 in front of me.
NHTSA complaint #11710823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CACrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The emergency braking system is not engaging appropriately and when activated it stutters to a stop and does not come to an immediate stop. When in emergency situations the braking system detect objects that are not present causing it to come to a stuttering stop and causing a hazard and accident.
NHTSA complaint #11710682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
