75 of the
12,688 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Equinox
are about the seats —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
My name is [XXX], I live at [XXX]. I own a 2021 Honda Passport, VIN ending in [XXX]. Two serious safety issues: 1. The multifunction camera behind the windshield has failed with codes [XXX] and U0416-F8. This is the same known defect that is the subject of a class action lawsuit. The dealer quoted me $1700 to fix it. I have only had the car for two years and I should not have to pay this much for a major safety failure. 2. The front passenger power seat moves backwards on its own and does not stop. On one occasion it trapped my young nonverbal autistic son in the car seat. I had to physically intervene to stop it from crushing him. I reported this issue to Honda USA customer service, and they told me to take it to the dealer. Both of these are serious safety defects. The seat issue especially is extremely dangerous for a child who cannot speak or scream for help. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate these defects immediately. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11749643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The bottom of driver seat leans to the left and moves when stopping or accelerating, moving forward or backwards, and does not stay stabilized like it should. This issue is not an electrical or power issue but seems to be a broken support bolt that attaches to track for seat.
NHTSA complaint #11740886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2019 Chevy Equinox, LT model has experienced issues where the seat will no longer recline. Seat that raises but won't recline is likely caused by a faulty seat control switch, a jammed recline actuator/gear, or a broken wire, rather than a blown fuse.
NHTSA complaint #11716011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ever since we’ve had the 2019 Chevrolet equinox which was purchased in 2019 from Capital Chevrolet in Montgomery, Alabama, the seats and the side mirrors both will not stay programmed. The dealership kept telling us there was nothing wrong and kept telling us how to program the seats and the side mirrors, per key fob. This was done over and over and still did not work. every time the vehicle is cut off and when the vehicle is re-entered we have to reset the side mirrors and seats every single time. The vehicle is no longer under warranty, but we were wondering if there would be any way to have it fixed free of charge. Or if you have any idea on what we can do to make the settings work properly. Please advise. I have listed below my email address, my cell phone, and my home number. Thanks, [XXX] [XXX] my email [XXX] cell [XXX] home INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11709221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Problem persists since 4/3/2025. While parked, the Driver’s Seat was leaned back. About 1 hour later, I couldn’t let it back up. Drove home slowly after 11p. Took to a Repair Shop next day to have the Driver’s Seat fixed. I paid for a Diagnostic & was told that the seat could not be repaired because GMC was no longer manufacturing the seat motor needed. The shop spoke to GMC & a Dealership. I called GMC the next day to complain & verify because car was only 2019 - parts are to be manufactured & made available for minimum of 10yrs! Over next 3 -6 months I spoke to numerous Customer Service employees & Supervisors. I was referred to a Certified Chevrolet Dealer, Dave Gil Chevrolet. I had to use a Large Wedge Pillow & Bed Pillow since the seat was flat back. My car was UNSAFE, difficult to drive & caused concern on whether the seat belts & Air Bags would work properly in the event of an accident or collision. The certified Dealership said that of the 3 motors in the seat, they could get the front one in 2weeks to 3months but not the motor for the rest of the seat. These are the part #’s unsure which is which: 1352-6511 & 1352-5388. I emailed & sent Certified Letter to GMC’s CEO. No response to my email but someone acknowledged my letter. All I ever wanted was my 2019 Equinox repaired properly. Note: Car payment, Insurance, Registration were still expected to be paid & they were by me. I was given a Customer Loyalty Certificate smaller than what I was quoted but not for a new Equinox, for a 2025 Trax which is much smaller! I was told my Equinox couldn’t be repaired, sizable bal due ( I had only purchased 2 yrs prior.) In June 2025 I was mailed a copy of the “California Repurchase Agreement” that GMC was adopting. ( see attached). I sent Certified Letters to that Dept but got no responses. I then escalated to the OH Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Department & someone called me back. I shared the part #’s but several days have passed - no response. Con’tl
NHTSA complaint #11691419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this vehicle in June 2025 and the gear selection lever is constant problems. It will never go into or go out of gear on the first attempt. This has caused some near accidents on two occassions as I backed out of a parking space trying to get in gear and proceed timely to avoid on-coming traffic but the lever will constantly bounce to another gear or park which was not selected. The car also has a seat problem in which the seat will start a quiver motion which does startle me as the driver. As an 82 year old driver this becomes a safety issue since is very disruptive and unexpected which makes the driver panic. I notified Chevrolet of these problems but that communication was ignored. The vehicle now has 1400 miles, the selling dealer is 320 miles away. I was told by Chevrolet that to return the vehicle to the dealer would require that I pay $6 per mile charge. This is simply malicious treatment to a senior. There is one GM dealer in my county but they do not want to address another dealers problem. Yes this safety issue has put other drivers at risk because I pull into traffic and cannot get going with traffic flow with a defective gear selector. Anyone can come to my home to inspect this problem
NHTSA complaint #11682275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The climate controls, including the seat warmers, located on the control panel directly below the radio/stereo controls on my 2010 Chevy Equinox stopped working. As a result, the ability to control the temperature and direction of heated/cooled air was lost. I tolerated the conditions for several seasons, winter being the toughest due to temp and the need for defrost, until buying a new car (as an addition, not a replacement vehicle). As my oldest child became of age to begin driving, I've attempted to prepare the car for his driving and safety. In researching how to repair this malfunction, I came across a recall that addresses this exact problem; however, upon taking my Chevy Equinox to my local Chevy dealership, I discovered that my VIN is not on the list for this repair. The coincidence that my car falls in the category of vehicles included for this recall (Bulletin No.: 09298C), but is not included is confusing, to say the least. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to this failure that began in 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11630057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this vehicle 3 months ago and it had a terrible smell and still does. When I got the car home I started cleaning and seen mold under the weather mats. 1 month after purchase the sun roof and sun shade stopped working. The smell got worse and I noticed every time it rains the floor is soaking wet. Massive amounts of water is draining into the car from the rear seats causing black mold. After doing research this is a known issue with this vehicle. Terrible.
NHTSA complaint #11601034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We bought the car in July 2023. We had it for a month then it started to smell like mildew and mold. It permeated into our clothes. We took it to the dealership and they had the car for about two months. When we got it back it smelled like strong soap, but after a week or two it started to smell again. We took it back again. This time they used Ionize. That lasted two days and it smells again.
NHTSA complaint #11569797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
System states rear seat reminder. Look in rear seat. Look in rear seats. This is a hazard to my infant as his car seat is located in the back seats behind the passenger.
NHTSA complaint #11543960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, my driver's side power seat will automatically go to the "exit position". Because of my short stature, this causes me to not be able to reach the gas and brake pedals until I move the seat back up. It first occurred when I was in 5 lanes if traffic during rush hour traffic. There was no warning or indication of a problem before it happened. Scary, as momentarily I couldn't brake. I took it to the dealership for repair. They we able to reproduce the issue and diagnosed it as the power seat memory switch in the door panel. They replaced the part but it did not fix the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11492199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated when entering the vehicle and sitting on the driver's seat, the seat dropped impairing the contact's access to visibility and ability to steer safely. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V447000 (Seats). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11478687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We were driving at night I had turned on the overhead cabin light and when I turned on the overhead cabin light so my wife could hand food to our are sun and behind us the At the same time that I push the button the sunshade started to go and so I let it go but then it got jammed and it started to crank so I pushed the button in it started to go and reverse and then it like Jim in it aint like you know the motor growing sound and like there's a big shatter we thought that it was the glass from the moon roof shuttering turned out it was just like the plastic piece it was like holding the shade in place and so And so then to get that repaired they had to take the roof off take the rails out to get to the little plastic piece to call that plastic piece an external trim fastener so if it was an internal fastener it would be covered if it was because it was a fascinary if it was because it was a fascinator if it was because it's trim I don't know what trim you have to pull a roof off and pull rails out to it to find but that is why they didn't call it cover it
NHTSA complaint #11450605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front passenger seat warmer gets extremely hot. It feels like it is burning your skin within minutes of turning it on. It almost feels like sitting on a hot leather seat in the middle of summer with shorts on.
NHTSA complaint #11449564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side front seats were designed to be too low which caused a blind spot on the front passenger’s side when the contact was in the front driver’s seat. The contact drove over a flower bed at the park due to the front passenger’s side blind spot visibility issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SLIDE SUDDENLY FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO DO SO EVEN AFTER THE POWER SEAT WAS REVERSED. IN SOME INSTANCES THE SEAT WASHED PUSHED SO FAR FORWARD I COULD NOT CONTINUE SAFELY AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. USUALLY AFTER A SHORT WAIT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DRIVING SITUATIONS, HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. I FOUND AT LEAST 5 BULLETINS ISSUED BY GM REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM DESCRIBED THE BULLETIN NUMBER IS PIT5608D. THE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BETWEEN 2018 AND 2021.
NHTSA complaint #11406239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FAILED TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SANDS CHEVROLET ' SURPRISE (16991 W WADDELL RD, SURPRISE, AZ 85388, (623) 428-1865) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V447000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11396440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I NOTICED THAT MY LEGS KEPT HURTING ME AND DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. IT FELT LIKE I COULDN'T WALK FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AFTER NOT DRIVING FOR THREE DAYS I FOUND OUT THAT CAUSE OF THE PAIN COMING FROM MY 2018 EQUINOX DRIVERS SEAT. I PUT A PILLOW IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND THE PAIN WENT AWAY. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE PILLOW BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS SLIDING AND MY FOOT KEEPS SLIDING OFF THE PEDALS. GM NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SEATS. GM SHOULD HAVE REPLACEMENT SEAT FOR THESE VEHICLES INSTEAD OF DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11386715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE IN MOTION, SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS. SIDE MIRRORS STARTED TO MOVE AS WELL MAKING DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I COULDN'T REACH PEDALS AT ONE POINT AND COULDN'T SEE BLIND SPOT. I HAD TO RE ARRANGE THE SEAT AND SIDE MIRROR POSITION WHILE DRIVING SINCE I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY. THE SEAT SETTINGS DOESN'T WORK AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11355242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.