Should I buy a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox with documented visibility problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented visibility issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2015 chevrolet Equinox visibility problems

moderate 264 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350

Complaints

264

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$350

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 22V165000 17/03/2022

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.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

visibility · filed 12/31/2019

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019, ABOUT 7:30 AM WHILE DRIVING ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55 MPH DURING A HEAVY RAIN DOWNPOUR, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING WHILE IN MOTION, ONE EXTENDING OFF THE WINDSHIELD, THE OTHER STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I INSTANTLY HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND WAS IN DANGER OF CRASHING. THERE WERE MANY OTHER VEHICLE…

visibility · filed 12/27/2020

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF FAILURE, STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WIPERS WERE IN USE AS BACKING OUT OF PERSONAL DRIVEWAY. NO INDUCTOR LIGHTS ARE PRESENT.

visibility · filed 12/26/2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (GOING 75MPH) IN MODERATE RAIN WHEN SUDDENLY OUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OVER EXTENDED AND WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE. WE HAD TO STOP BECAUSE WE COULDN'T SEE. WE HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TO A REPAIR SHOP TO GET THEM 'RIGGED' TO GET US BACK ON THE ROAD.

Common questions

How serious is the visibility problem on the 2015 chevrolet Equinox?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 264 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover visibility issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.