Owners of the 2015 Equinox describe airbags that fail to deploy during actual collisions—some at highway speeds (60–70 mph), others at low impact (25 mph curb strike). Multiple collision reports show front-end damage significant enough to total the vehicle, yet no airbag inflation. In several cases, owners smelled burning or inflator vapor but the bags never inflated; dash displays sometimes falsely indicated deployment had occurred. Seatbelts also frequently failed to retract after these incidents, leaving occupants thrown against the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows. One owner reported bruised ribs and facial injuries; another suffered vertebral compression fracture; a third had sternum fracture and chest compression after a T-bone.
On the opposite extreme, at least one owner reported a seat-back airbag deploying spontaneously while parked in the driveway, causing bruising. Another had airbags deploy 3–5 seconds after hitting a pothole (not a collision), ejecting metal fragments that punctured the steering wheel bag and lacerating the driver's arm.
Service Airbags warnings light up persistently or intermittently, sometimes dinging continuously for hours. Passenger seat sensors malfunction, cycling warnings regardless of occupancy. Dealers identify passenger airbag module, sensor, or inflator defects, quoting replacement costs of $800–$1,800 after factory warranty expires. Owners reference Takata recall involvement but report not receiving recall notices, or being told their VIN doesn't qualify.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags fail to deploy in collisions
In multiple moderate-to-severe collisions, airbags failed to deploy despite significant front-end impact. Owners reported that system displayed 'Service Airbags' warnings before or after crashes, or that systems appeared to activate (inflator vapor detected, window cracking, OnStar reading indicated deployment) but bags never inflated. Seatbelts also frequently failed to retract properly.
When: At impact during crashes ranging from 20-70 mph; one incident during low-speed curb strike at 25 mph
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during front-end collision; Vehicle displays 'Service Airbags' message on dash; Inflator vapor or burning smell detected, but bags not inflated; Seatbelts failed to retract after collision; Occupants struck steering wheel, dashboard, or windows
Codes mentioned: Service Airbags warning light, SRS codes (7 codes reported in one instance)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner disconnected SRS module out of fear of unintended deployment; vehicle towed after collision; multiple total losses
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned by multiple owners; one owner reported VIN not included in recall campaign 15V666000; owner reports Chevy stated VIN not on recall list; recall not received by some owners; warranty expired for some before repair
Spontaneous or unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deployed without collision or deliberately triggered impact. One owner reported driver seat back rest airbag deployed while parked in driveway. Another reported curtain and steering wheel airbags deployed 3-5 seconds after hitting a pothole (not a collision), with metal fragments from the wheel airbag puncturing the bag and injuring the driver's arm.
When: While parked in driveway; 3-5 seconds after minor pothole impact at intersection turn
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed without collision; Metal fragments ejected from steering wheel airbag causing puncture wounds to arm; Door window cracked by fragments; Steering wheel airbag did not fully inflate due to puncture; Multiple SRS codes present after deployment
Codes mentioned: 7 airbag/SRS codes after unintended deployment, Service Airbags light
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance declared vehicle total loss after pothole-triggered deployment; owner bruised arm and side of body from parked deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall noted for 'objects may cause injury or death from shooting out'; dealer notified but issue not disclosed at purchase or service visits
Service Airbags warning light activation
Dashboard warning light illuminates with or without actual system failure. Continuous dinging reported in one case; light may appear and clear without action, or remain on persistently. Some owners unaware of recalls; others found sensor defects (passenger seat sensor, airbag module) when diagnostic testing performed.
When: Can activate without prior collision; reported at various mileages (10,000 to 130,000 miles); ongoing for 6+ hours in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbags light on dashboard; Continuous dinging alert every few seconds or every mile; Light may clear or persist; Passenger seat airbag sensor cycling on/off regardless of occupancy
Codes mentioned: Service Airbags warning, Passenger airbag sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag module replacement quoted at $800-$1100+ out of warranty; Passenger seat presence detector and module replacement required in some cases; costs cited as $1800+ in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists (Takata) but not all VINs included; owners not notified of recalls; warranty expired by time of diagnosis for some; Chevy customer service reportedly unable to assist; dealer service available but parts delayed
Passenger seat airbag sensor malfunction
Passenger side airbag occupancy sensor reports 'not working' or triggers warning repeatedly even when seat occupied or empty. Sensor light/warning activates on and off unpredictably.
When: Intermittent to continuous throughout vehicle operation; occurs whether seat occupied or vacant
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag sensor warning cycles on/off repeatedly; Warning triggers every few seconds to every 10 seconds; Light activates regardless of seat occupancy; Detachable airbag panel begins popping open on one end
Codes mentioned: Passenger airbag sensor fault, Service Airbags light
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger side presence detector and module replacement required; panel detachment reported; one owner afraid of random deployment due to loose panel
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under warranty in some cases; dealer diagnosis available; replacement parts must be sourced
Takata inflator defect (Recall-related failure)
Owners with affected VINs report Takata inflator issues triggering service warnings. One documented case of inflator releasing vapor without deployment during collision.
When: Present from July 2018 in one case; active during low-speed impact in another
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbags light activation; Dinging alert (continuous in one case); Inflator vapor/burning smell during collision despite no bag deployment; Recall notice not received
Codes mentioned: Takata recall indicator, Service Airbags warning
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag replacement cost approximately $800 after warranty expiration; recall repair available but not proactively notified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall exists; VIN may or may not be included; recall notices not received by all affected owners; Chevy customer service reports VIN not on recall list for some; warranty had expired for some owners
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.