The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has 546 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 178 complaints (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Equinox?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2014 Chevrolet Equinox? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
visibility — 178 owner reports
· ~$350 to fix
engine — 175 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 37 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 37 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2014 Equinox· visibility
While driving during a rain/snow event, the driver side windshield wiper stopped working. The driver side wiper was suspended while the passenger side continued to move. As visibility decreased my 17-year-old daughter had to pull over and call for assistance. She could no…
The the service traction control service stabilitrak lights with the engine light came on and I lost engine power and was "reduced power." this was while driving slowly getting up to speed. Happened again a few days later when going about 40 MPH and I could not go any faster, I…
Oil consumption. I have already paid $2,500 to the Chevy dealership where I live to replace the timing chain, and it's doing the same thing again. I'm having to continuously put up to three quarts of oil in it every 2 to 3 weeks. The dealership says there is no bulletin on my…
2014 model year Chevy equinox. My car was produced in 9-2013, and has had continuous high oil consumption since purchase. Every few weeks it is making a loud noise after start up, and I am having to add oil (3 qts yesterday of the 5w-30 dexron oil as listed on the cap).
Had a problem with your 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
Common questions
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 546 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 178 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 546 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 178 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Equinox has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 546 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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