2014 Chevrolet Equinox problems
The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has 543 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has 543 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 178 complaints, typically surfacing around 83,277 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Equinox | 780 | 1 |
| 2012 Equinox | 682 | 1 |
| 2013 Equinox | 747 | 1 |
| 2014 Equinox (this page) | 543 | 0 |
| 2015 Equinox | 678 | 1 |
| 2016 Equinox | 392 | 1 |
| 2017 Equinox | 270 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,300–101,280 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
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
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 · tends to show around 83,277 mi · ~$350 to fix
- engine — 173 owner reports · tends to show around 99,856 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 59,227 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 73,519 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,227 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~30,000 micruise control~$600
- ~40,000 misteering~$700
- ~43,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~66,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~75,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~80,000 mivisibility~$350
- ~100,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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).
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 543 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
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, failures cluster 10,300–101,280 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. 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. Typical failure occurs around 83,277 miles. 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 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 543 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 83,277 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 83,277 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 83,277 miles. 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 543 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.