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ProblemsByVin File / 2019-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Chevrolet

2019 Chevrolet Equinox problems

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has 294 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

Ask A Mechanic

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has 294 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 66 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,370 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2016 Equinox 392 1
2017 Equinox 271 0
2018 Equinox 396 5
2019 Equinox (this page) 294 4
2020 Equinox 299 4
2021 Equinox 88 4
2022 Equinox 158 5
2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Chevrolet Equinox
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2019 Equinox?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

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 5 / 5 overall

Overall 5/5
Frontal crash 5/5
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: 2019 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 2019 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

⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 65,370 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 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 the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2019 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.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

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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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2019-chevrolet-equinox/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2019-chevrolet-equinox/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
66 reports · fails ~65,370 mi · avg $450
severe
engine
53 reports · fails ~22,091 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
36 reports · fails ~21,644 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
34 reports · fails ~30,049 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
9 reports · fails ~45,875 mi · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
9 reports · fails ~10,934 mi · avg $600
severe
steering
9 reports · fails ~25,506 mi · avg $700
severe
fuel system
5 reports · fails ~119,114 mi · avg $1,200
severe

Your road ahead on this 2019 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.

  1. ~5,500 miengine~$3,100
  2. ~10,300 mielectrical~$850
  3. ~16,199 mipowertrain~$2,500
  4. ~74,000 mibrakes~$450

"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.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2019 Equinox's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2019 Equinox?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Equinox · powertrain
I purchased the crossover 2019in or around Sept 2021 the engine light appeared, it was taken to Reedman Toll Chevy of Springfield and they replaced the mass air flow sensor or oxygen sensor. Sept 2022 the engine light appeared again they replaced the oxygen sensor, Dec 19,2022…
2019 Equinox · powertrain
Purchased 2019 Sept 2021 engine light appeared fixed mass air flow by Reedman Chevy Sept 2022 engine reappears they fixed oxygen sensor Dec 19 2022 engine light reappears. Taken to Reedman 12/28/22 states orifice sensor or tube discover GM is aware of issue bullentin…
2019 Equinox · powertrain
The engine "auto stop" feature can have enough of a delay to allow the accelerator to be pressed as the engine starts causing it to lurch forward rather than accelerate smoothly. It also can cause a delay when pulling out into heavy traffic. There is currently no way to…
12/29/2018 · at 1,100 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163917.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2019 Equinox · brakes
Repaired a friend's vehicle that had a total brake failure. Vehicle only has 50k miles and no brake repair history. Blew all of the brake fluid out of the stainless braided line coming from master cylinder rear brake channel to abs module. Found the line coming from the front…
View all 294 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2019 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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 20V668000 October 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles

Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
severe NHTSA 19V667000 September 19, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles

A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.
severe NHTSA 19V184000 March 7, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles

In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 294 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 66 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–100,000 mi; Electrical system: 36 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,938–23,071 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns 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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 66 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,370 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 294 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 65,370 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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 66 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,370 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,370 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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 294 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Chevrolet/Equinox. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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