FaultScore

Chevrolet Equinox airbag problems

632 of the 12,688 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Equinox are about the airbag system — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

632

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

188

Crashes

7

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2005 Equinox 39 6.2%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2006 Equinox 12 1.9%

Median failure at 60,749 miles

2007 Equinox 149 23.6%

Median failure at 74,600 miles

2008 Equinox 112 17.7%

Median failure at 67,500 miles

2009 Equinox 26 4.1%

Median failure at 74,245 miles

2010 Equinox 58 9.2%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

2011 Equinox 52 8.2%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

2012 Equinox 18 2.8%

Median failure at 62,271 miles

2013 Equinox 25 4.0%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2014 Equinox 29 4.6%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2015 Equinox 37 5.9%

Median failure at 55,700 miles

2016 Equinox 12 1.9%

Median failure at 29,274 miles

2017 Equinox 19 3.0%

Median failure at 59,000 miles

2018 Equinox 13 2.1%

Median failure at 15,500 miles

2019 Equinox 11 1.7%

Median failure at 13,150 miles

2020 Equinox 7 1.1%

Median failure at 83 miles

2021 Equinox 4 0.6%

Median failure at 19,840 miles

2022 Equinox 3 0.5%
2023 Equinox 2 0.3%
2024 Equinox 3 0.5%

Median failure at 11,000 miles

2026 Equinox 1 0.2%

What owners said

2024 Chevrolet Equinox at 19,000 miles Lillington, NC Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to park into a parking spot, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove over a curb onto the grass. The contact depressed the brake pedal with extra force; however, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated the passenger’s side front fender crashed into the passenger’s side door of the other vehicle. The vehicle came to a complete stop upon impact. The air bags had not deployed. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A Police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.

NHTSA complaint #11757723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Brownstown Twp, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I was in a rear end collision on May 14th 2026 the impact of the speed totaled my car in my airbags did not deploy and from my understanding where the sensors are on my vehicle they should have I ended up getting a concussion and soft tissue damage because my head hit the steering wheel my seat belt did not lock either.

NHTSA complaint #11738139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Belleville, IL Crash

AIR BAGS

Air bags did not deploy at all on passenger side after collision with a utility pole. Once vehicle stopped drivers side air bag was release but did not deploy the way it should to prevent injury. SUV was totaled per insurance company due to extensive damage on passenger side

NHTSA complaint #11734827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Chevrolet Equinox Lathrop, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

On January 21, 2026 i was involved in a car accident with a tractor in which the tractor collided with my passenger front side of my car causing me to slide into corn field causing the total destruction of my vehicle. None of my airbags deployed. There were no warning lamps or indicators from the vehicle showing a fault prior to the accident. The vehicle has been inspected by the insurance adjustor. It is unknown if other vehicles have had the same issue to my knowledge.

NHTSA complaint #11728894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Chevrolet Equinox Edmond, OK Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact rented a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, a deer ran in front of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into the deer. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe damage to the passenger-side front end, but no air bags deployed. During the incident, the contact sustained a lower abdomen injury, but no medical treatment was sought at this time. The dear sustained fatal injuries. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the incident. The vehicle was later returned to the rental company. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11720651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Chevrolet Equinox Horizon City, TX

AIR BAGS

The ref air bag sensor appeared in my 2015 Chevy Equinox today. My vehicle has not been in a car accident as of today 1/24/26. None of my airbags have been deployed at all. I would like to report this defect and I would like Viva Chevrolet in El Paso Texas to be notified since that is the dealership where I purchased based my vehicle. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11713163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Equinox at 104,000 miles Sumner, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle collided with a deer. During the crash, the air bags became inoperable and failed to inflate or expose themselves out of the housing, and an “Air Bag Needs Service” warning message was displayed. The contact also noticed a strong fume-like odor following the impact and stated that the air bag system appeared to engage but did not deploy. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed, and law enforcement advised the contact that the vehicle could be safely driven home. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance agency. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #11712450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Equinox The Villages, FL Crash

AIR BAGS

We were involved in a car accident. We ran into the back of a pickup truck that suddenly stopped on the toll road for another car that was in an accident. Our front end of the car was heavily damaged. Our concern is that our air bags did not deploy. With the amount of damage that our car received why did the air bags not deploy. The state trooper the did the report looked into the car and wondered the same thing. I will attach pictures. We are taking into the body shop tomorrow. They said it maybe two weeks before they start on it. The seat belts saved our lives. The air bags did not. We are taking into the body shop tomorrow. There were no warning signs before the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11711879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox at 99,500 miles Syracuse, NY Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact's boyfriend owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and decelerating to 50 MPH to switch lanes, the vehicle drove over an icy road surface and spun. The contact attempted to turn the wheel and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle crashed into the left guard rail, and the vehicle then crashed into the right guard rail and came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage. The air bags failed to deploy. Several warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The vehicle owner was occupying the front passenger's seat during the incident. A police report was filed. The tow truck driver transported both passengers of the vehicle to a gas station. Both the contact and her boyfriend were picked up from the gas station and were dropped to the residence by the brother of the vehicle owner. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact later had headaches, body soreness, and stiffness. The contact went to the Emergency room and was informed that she had sustained a sprained left rib, whiplash, and a concussion. The contact's boyfriend sustained a sore pinky. The contact stated that the insurance company was currently assessing the vehicle damage. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,500.

NHTSA complaint #11711379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox Holland, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

Forward collision system dint notify of an object infront , also breaks locked up when used .Air bags didn’t go off while a forward collision with a bus happened

NHTSA complaint #11703653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox Los Angeles, CA

AIR BAGS

My passenger seat belt light on can you let me know what to do

NHTSA complaint #11693430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox Flint, MI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The warning light remained illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the weight sensor on the front passenger’s seat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11690993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Chevrolet Equinox Kansas City, MO Crash

AIR BAGS

Hello, on September 5, 2025 I was driving my 2015 Chevy equinox. I was in a collision while driving my 2015 equinox going at a speed of 60 mph on a highway. On the day of the collision i hit a cargo truck that was carrying vehicles an it completely destroyed the front of my 2015 chevy equinox despite the severity of the impact. None of the airbags deployed. Fortunately me and my daughter did not sustain any injuries but I agree strongly that air bags should have deployed by the severity and location of the impact. This could have been more dangerous if someone else had been in the vehicle or if the wreck was slightly worse. My vehicle was viewed by the police at scene but no one else. There was no warning lights or messages prior to the accident. I am submitting this report because I believe the airbag system may have failed and I wanna make sure this is investigated I still have the vehicle and can provide photos and further details if needed.

NHTSA complaint #11689173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Bridgewater, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

On July 1, 2025 I was involved in an accident and none of my airbags deployed. Car was inspected by police, insurance company and General Motors who haven’t sent me the report yet. No warnings or symptoms appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11677338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Equinox Huntington Park, CA

AIR BAGS

Desconocido bolsas de aire takata posible retirada .. Alto consumo de combustible

NHTSA complaint #11676538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Equinox North Chesterfield, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I was in a car accident (car total loss), my air bags did NOT deploy and a light came on after the crash to say the airbags malfunctioned.

NHTSA complaint #11674264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox Oakville, MO Crash

AIR BAGS

We were in a 9car pile up. Front and back and drivers side were hit and severely damaged. Airbags did not deploy. After the accident smoke was seen coming from the sides of the car where the seat belts come out of. Both front and back were white puffs of smoke from all four seatbelts. The front passenger seatbelt failed to tighten on impact as all the other seatbelts did. Passenger was thrown about the front area, hitting multiple parts of the body. Car is currently in a tow lot. Insurance is going to inspect it.

NHTSA complaint #11673195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Equinox Levittown, NY

AIR BAGS

Electronics on car entirely go out including: Headlights, Turn signals, Hazard lights, Airbags, Electronic braking, Traction control, Tire pressure monitor, Fuel gage measurement, Speedometer, Odometer, Temperature gage and All Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The vehicle has been to the dealership on 4 separate occasions from May 16th - June 27th 2025 Various inspections and repairs have been confirmed and completed by Dealership: Empire Chevrolet of Hicksville located at 236 South Broadway, Hicksville, N.Y. 11801. After driving for about 1 day the problems persist. The car is being brought back to the dealer tomorrow 6/28/25 for a fourth service call for the same issue. Driver and passenger safety is at risk due to lack of headlights, turn signals, hazard lights, airbags, electronic braking and speedometer etc... Warning lights appear simultaneously with electronics malfunction

NHTSA complaint #11669724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Cabo san Lucas, TX

AIR BAGS

Hhbbgg

NHTSA complaint #11663014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Equinox Santa Ana, CA

AIR BAGS

Siempre se le prende la luz “atiende airbag” Hace 2 años la compuse que fue el sensor y ahora tengo 2 semanas que se se le prendio la lleve al dealer y que la bolsa salió defectuosa de fábrica y es muy caro .

NHTSA complaint #11659382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Equinox problems