This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Equinox airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 43,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Equinox | 51 |
| 2011 Equinox | 48 |
| 2012 Equinox | 16 |
| 2013 Equinox | 21 |
| 2014 Equinox (this page) | 27 |
| 2015 Equinox | 35 |
| 2016 Equinox | 12 |
| 2017 Equinox | 18 |
| 2018 Equinox | 13 |
15crashes
8injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Chevrolet Equinoxes report airbags failing to deploy during serious collisions at speeds ranging from 16 to 50 mph, including rear-end hits, broadside strikes, and head-on impacts. In multiple cases, occupants sustained significant injuries—concussion, neck injury, chest pain, shoulder damage, hip injury—when airbags did not fire. One owner in a high-speed intersection crash (hit at 35–50 mph while in control) reported all airbags silent despite a 1¾-spin rollover that totaled the vehicle; another was rear-ended hard enough to cause a secondary collision and required ambulance transport, yet airbags never deployed.
Separately, many owners report service airbag warning lights appearing on the dash, often with a chiming alert to get service done. Some lights cycle on and off over years without a clear cause. One dealer quoted $1,382 for a passenger airbag module replacement; GM declined to investigate the root cause or cover the cost under warranty.
A few owners describe airbags firing or deploying at the wrong moment—one reported side curtain and driver seat airbags deploying a half-mile *after* the initial pole impact at 40–45 mph.
Neither dealers nor owners have consistently obtained root-cause diagnoses or repairs for most of these complaints.
Same Chevrolet Equinox airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in serious collisions
Airbags fail to deploy during crash events ranging from 16 mph to 50 mph frontal and side-impact collisions. Owners report high-speed rear-end crashes, broadside impacts, and frontal collisions where one or more airbags did not function, resulting in injuries including head trauma, concussion, neck injury, chest injury, shoulder damage, and hip injury.
When: Various mileages reported: 12,000 miles; 120,000 miles; 140,000 miles; 16 mph collision; 50 mph collision; rear-end collision unspecified speed
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during collision; Occupant sustained injuries despite impact severity; No airbag warning light before collision; One or both airbags failed to fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled by insurance; one sent to independent mechanic; repairs not completed on most. One owner reported internal airbag module available for inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #17 reports GM stated airbag performed as designed. Narrative #3 reports GM refused to cover $1,382 passenger airbag module replacement and declined further investigation.
Airbag warning light malfunction or persistent illumination
Service airbag warning light appears on dash and remains on, flickers intermittently, or cycles on and off repeatedly. Owners report the light accompanied by chiming alerts telling them to service the airbag. In some cases, the warning appears with no prior accident history; in others it follows an airbag fault diagnosis.
When: Under 100,000 miles; 40,000 miles; 149,000 miles; 23,000 miles; ongoing for up to 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Chiming alert sound accompanying warning; Light flickers or cycles on and off intermittently; Light persists constantly without accident trigger
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #3: dealer quoted $1,382 for passenger airbag module replacement. Most vehicles not repaired; dealer and owner unable to obtain diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #3: GM assigned case number but declined to investigate root cause or cover repair cost under warranty. Narrative #11: customer noted GM has had this problem for some time.
Airbag deploys inadvertently or at wrong time
Airbags fire or deploy in situations where they should not, or deploy after the collision event has ended. One owner reported side curtain and driver seat airbags deployed a half-mile after the initial crash. Another reports airbag fired when hitting an animal at 30–40 mph but did not actually deploy.
When: 24,000 miles; 55 mph animal strike
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag fired involuntarily during or after non-crash event; Side curtain airbag deployed unexpectedly; Driver seat airbag deployed outside collision; Airbag fired but did not fully deploy from housing
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #7: vehicle repaired at independent mechanic. Others not repaired.
Passenger seat sensor/occupant detection failure
Passenger airbag light fails to illuminate or respond correctly to occupant presence. In one case, airbag system failed to recognize passenger in seat and did not function; light did not activate even with a cushion in the seat to simulate weight.
When: 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag system fails when passenger present; Airbag warning light does not illuminate for occupied seat; No diagnosis available from dealer despite multiple visits
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose or repair. Manufacturer notified; no resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no documented outcome.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 24,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 43,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.