A crown jewel for Chevrolet in the US, the Equinox has enjoyed a strong run since its debut in 2004. That fact is clearly reflected in the Equinox’s consistent presence among the top fifteen best-selling vehicles in the US.

Besides its practicality and affordability, the Chevrolet Equinox has also lured many with its reliability and positive ownership experiences.. While it has seen its share of ups and downs, certain model years stand out for their exceptional track record. 

In this guide, we’ll go in-depth about the reliability of the Chevrolet Equinox, highlight those standout years and explore key dependability aspects that ease out your purchase decision of a used Chevrolet Equinox.

Chevrolet Equinox: Model Year History

In 2004, the Chevrolet Equinox arrived as a replacement model for the Chevy S-10 Blazer in the mid-size crossover SUV segment. Since then, the Chevy Equinox has witnessed four generations, with the most recent fourth-gen model launched in 2025.

First-Generation Chevrolet Equinox (2004-2009)

• The first-generation Equinox marked General Motors’ debut on the GMT191 long-wheelbase platform.
• It received a minor interior update in 2006, followed by subtle tweaks to exterior, interior, and transmission ratios in 2007.
• Power on the first-generation Chevrolet Equinox came from two  V6 gasoline engine options – a 3.4-liter V6 and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6.

Second-Generation Chevrolet Equinox (2010-2017)

• Built on General Motors’ GMT172 platform, the second-gen Equinox launched with two gasoline engine options: a 2.4-liter Ecotec inline-four and a 3.0-liter V6. In 2013, a 3.6-liter V6 was added to the lineup.
• From 2011 to 2015, the model received minor updates and feature enhancements. A more significant facelift arrived in 2016, bringing notable styling revisions and additional equipment.

Third-Generation Chevrolet Equinox (2018-2024)

• Underpinned by GM’s D2XX platform, the third-gen Equinox introduced a new range of powertrains: a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, and a 1.6-liter inline-four diesel.
• Between 2019 and 2022, the model received incremental feature upgrades, while its engine lineup was gradually streamlined with the discontinuation of diesel variants in 2020, followed by the 2.0-liter inline-four variants in 2021.
• A mid-cycle facelift arrived in 2022, with the sole remaining 1.5-liter turbocharged engine receiving key updates and improvements.

Is The Chevrolet Equinox A Reliable Option to Buy Used?

In short, yes, the Chevrolet Equinox can be a reliable used car. But not every model year is created equal. If you know which years to avoid and which ones to target, the Equinox offers solid value and dependable performance in the used SUV market.

The Equinox only entered its fourth generation in 2025, so for this discussion, let’s focus on the first three generations with established track records.

Reliability Depends on the Model Year

Not all Equinox models score the same when it comes to dependability. According to iSeeCars, the 2018–2024 models have significantly better reliability ratings, scoring 8.3 out of 10, compared to earlier versions.

J.D. Power’s 2024 rankings placed the Equinox third in the compact SUV category with an overall score of 82 out of 100, even beating the Toyota RAV4, which scored 80.

Back in 2020, J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study (based on three-year-old vehicles) ranked the Equinox as the best-performing compact SUV in terms of reliability. Consumer Reports has also consistently rated newer Equinox models, especially those from 2018 onwards, as “above average.”

So, if you’re looking at anything from the latest generation (2018+), you’re in a pretty safe zone when it comes to reliability.

What About Older Equinox Models?

Early second-generation models (2010–2013) didn’t hold up as well. One of the major concerns was GM’s 2.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec engine, which became notorious for excessive oil consumption, sometimes starting as early as 75,000 miles. In many cases, owners had to replace the piston rings or, worse, the entire engine. If you’re eyeing a 2014 or later, you’re in slightly better territory, especially if you skip the 2.4L engine variant.

As for the first-generation Equinox (2005–2009), they came with fewer oil consumption complaints, but there were still notable issues with engine and transmission reliability. The 2006 model year had the highest number of complaints, according to CarComplaints.com. That said, the 2009 Equinox showed marked improvement, with far fewer reported problems – just 23 complaints, in fact. So, if you’re considering a first-gen model for budget reasons, aim for a 2009 model.

Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Ratings

J.D. Power, an organization that examines the long-term reliability of a vehicle based on ownership aspects, has termed the quality and reliability of the Chevrolet Equinox as excellent for most of its model years.

• J.D. Power’s quality and reliability index ranked below 80 for most of the first-generation Equinox model years, indicating that they are average in reliability..
• Early second-generation models also fell short of strong reliability ratings,  sub-80 scores in J.D. Power’s quality and reliability index. However, from the 2013 model year onward, the Equinox consistently scored above 85 in the index, establishing post-2012 models as reliable choices.

Generation	Model Years	J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Scores	Average Score
1st Gen (2005–2009)	2007, 2008, 2009	77, 78, 87	80.7
2nd Gen (2010–2017)	2010–2017	75, 79, 84, 90, 89, 88, 90, 89	84.25
3rd Gen (2018–2024)	2018–2024	82, 86, 86, 92, 90, 90, 88	88.29

Chevrolet Equinox Recalls

Among all the crossover and SUV offerings from Chevrolet, the Equinox is one of the models with the lowest number of recalls, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The number of recalls never exceeded five for any of the Chevrolet Equinox model years.

Chevrolet Equinox – Number of Recalls by Generation

Generation	Model Years	No. of Recalls
1st Gen (2005–2009)	2006, 2008, 2009	0
	2007	4
2nd Gen (2010–2017)	2010, 2011, 2012	3
	2013, 2015	2
	2014, 2016	1
	2017	0
3rd Gen (2018–2024)	2018, 2022	5
	2019, 2020, 2021	4
	2023	3
	2024	1

Consumer Reports

Across all model years, the Chevrolet Equinox has maintained a relatively low number of owner complaints, contributing to strong overall customer satisfaction.

• Data from NHTSA and Consumer Reports shows that no Equinox model year has ever crossed the triple-digit mark in terms of official customer complaints.
• While the third-generation models have faced more recalls, they’ve recorded significantly fewer complaints , mostly recording below 300 complaints,compared to the more problematic first-generation models, which saw over 600 complaints.

Commonly-Faced Issues in Chevrolet Equinox: Things to Keep in Mind

While the reliability of Chevrolet Equinox has been phenomenal across its three generations, there are a few concerns to note about this midsize crossover SUV. These are minor but can be bothersome if not addressed.

• The cases of overheating in the 3.4-liter V6 engine due to head gasket failure affected the early batches of the first-generation Equinox. However, Chevrolet rectified this issue over time, which almost disappeared towards the end of the first-generation Equinox’s lifecycle. 2009 is well rated
• The 2.4-liter inline-four engine in earlier model years of second-generation Equinox suffered from excessive oil consumption and faster wear of the timing chain. Both these issues were reported less since the 2014 model year.
• While there are not many mechanical and electrical issues in the third-generation Equinox, owners reported minor problems such as rattling panels and flimsy wheel wells.

Most Reliable Model Years of Chevrolet Equinox

When it comes to the best years to buy a used Chevrolet Equinox, the reliability of the Chevrolet Equinox improved drastically with the arrival of the third-generation update. Even the later years of the second generation prove to be comparatively reliable, especially if you avoid the problematic 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. 

For your reference, after some nitpicking, we have listed the best ones, which are as follows:

2020-2024 Chevrolet Equinox

If you’re shopping for a newer used SUV, the third-generation Chevrolet Equinox stands out with a roomy, well-designed cabin and class-leading fuel economy. Add to that its strong predicted reliability ratings, and you’ve got yourself a solid contender.

While the powertrain choices were made limited by discontinuing the relatively low-selling 1.6-liter diesel in 2020 and 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine variants in 2021,  the 2020 – 2024 model years stand particularly out as amongst the most reliable Chevrolet Equinox years. 

• These model years hold the records for the least number of customer complaints and best reliability scores. Chevrolet issued only minor recalls for these Equinox model years to address incorrect bolts used to attach seat belts, tire tread separation, insufficient fuel supply from the fuel pump, improper welding of seat cushion frames, and improper functioning of child seat anchors.
• The 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, which became the sole engine option after the 2022 update, remained fuss-free in the entire run of the third-generation Equinox.

2015-2017 Chevrolet Equinox

Chevrolet introduced the first comprehensive update for the second-generation Equinox in 2016, which lasted for a short duration but left a lasting impact on reliability.

• Both the model years of the facelifted Chevy Equinox – 2016 and 2017 – achieved high scores in J.D. Power’s quality and reliability index. 
• The 2017 Equinox shines with a perfect 5 out of 5 reliability score from Consumer Reports and only 70 reported complaints.
• Only a single recall was issued for 2016 Equinox, a mere incorrect tire information on the label! None for the 2017 Equinox. 
• These later models also come equipped with more up-to-date features such as lane departure warning, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth connectivity via Chevy’s MyLink system, especially in higher trims.
• The available V6 and newer turbocharged four-cylinder engines proved to be both powerful and durable, making them better long-term bets.

Honorary mention: 2009 Chevrolet Equinox

If you’re working with a tighter budget, the first-generation Equinox is the most affordable path into Chevy’s SUV lineup. This generation ran from 2005 to 2009, and as is often the case, the later model years are more refined.

• The 2009 Equinox, in particular, is your best bet. It had zero recalls, only 23 registered complaints, and came after years of improvement. 
• The 2009 model has the highest score in J.D. Power’s quality and reliability index of 87 out of 100.
• It’s available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. Most trims come with a 3.4L V6 engine making 185 hp, while the Sport variant gets a more powerful 3.6L V6 producing 264 hp. Both the V6 engines offered in the 2009 Equinox had their initial niggles fine-tuned in this last model year.
• Sure, the 2009 model is now 15 years old and lacks modern tech, but for a price between $4,800 and $6,000 (as per KBB’s fair purchase value), it delivers decent value. 
• There were isolated reports of issues like timing chain wear and power loss, but they weren’t common enough to be deal-breakers.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best year for Cthe hevrolet Equinox?

The Chevrolet Equinox has an excellent reliability record since the 2015 model, with the 2015-2017 and 2020-2024 model years featuring outstanding reliability ratings and fewer customer complaints.

Q2.What are the common problems of the Equinox?

A few customers of the early batches of Equinox models have reported concerns, like overheating in the 3.4-liter V6 engine due to head gasket failure, excessive oil consumption in the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and faster wear of the timing chain. This makes the the 2004-2007 model years of the first generation Equinox and 2010-2013 model years of the second gen to generally avoid buying

Q3.Where is Equinox made?

Currently, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Equinox is manufactured in Mexico and China. However, the production of the previous three generations of Equinox primarily happened in Canada.