This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Equinox | 47 |
| 2019 Equinox | 36 |
| 2020 Equinox | 29 |
| 2021 Equinox | 14 |
| 2022 Equinox (this page) | 17 |
| 2023 Equinox | 9 |
| 2024 Equinox | 11 |
| 2025 Equinox | 63 |
| 2026 Equinox | 7 |
2crashes
2fires
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Lock and Unlock (Active Functions Work) but Will Not Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions Do Not Work).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Chevrolet Equinox report a wide range of electrical failures spanning infotainment, propulsion control, safety systems, and OnStar connectivity—often occurring within the first months of ownership.
Infotainment and OnStar: Multiple owners describe complete infotainment system failures where the radio screen goes blank and becomes unresponsive. OnStar service drops out or stops working entirely. One owner needed the OnStar module replaced at nearly $1,000. Four different radio replacements in one vehicle have not resolved recurring electrical gremlins affecting the system.
Power Steering: Two owners experienced sudden power steering failures at highway speeds (50–60 mph). Both reported the "Service Power Steering" warning appearing after loss of assist. One crash resulted in hospitalization and lemon law arbitration; the other involved a three-month investigation by GM that initially found "no issues" before a dealership diagnosed an internal malfunction within 20 minutes.
Engine and Fuel Control: One owner's fuel pump control module shorted out, causing complete power loss while driving 35–40 mph with no warning lights. The vehicle was towed at owner expense. The same vehicle later exhibited rough idle, hard starts, and was diagnosed with bad cylinders requiring engine replacement.
Ancillary Safety Systems: Owners report nonfunctional backup cameras, silent turn signal audio, failed parking alerts, lane departure warnings operating erratically, and seat belt chimes absent. One owner's infotainment failure disabled all camera displays and audio safety alerts simultaneously.
Additional Issues: Check engine lights and "Reduced Engine Power" warnings trigger intermittently. Automatic remote start works only sporadically. Auto stop/start continues running after brake application. One vehicle caught fire while parked with a Smart Start ignition interlock device installed. Flat tire alerts and climate control have cycled through multiple failures. Persistent rattling and water intrusion into door frames compound electrical gremlins.
Same Chevrolet Equinox electrical reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2024 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
OnStar Module Failure
OnStar service becomes inoperable, preventing emergency connectivity and GPS location tracking. One owner reports module failure near the one-year mark; replacement cost cited as close to $1,000.
When: Within first 12 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar service unavailable; No signal or connection to OnStar; Unable to use remote locking via app; WiFi feature non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: OnStar module replacement, approximately $1,000
Infotainment System Failure
Radio screen becomes unresponsive and blank; the system will not power on. Multiple owners report repeated failures and repeated radio replacements (up to four in one vehicle) without resolution. This failure disables backup cameras, audio warnings, and safety alerts connected to the system.
When: Early ownership, recurring after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen blank and unresponsive; No audio output; USB charger non-functional; Backup camera views unavailable; Parking and lane safety audio alerts silent; Seat belt chimes absent; Infotainment will not power on
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replacement performed four times in one vehicle without resolution; supply chain delays on OEM parts reported
Power Steering Failure
Electric power steering becomes completely inoperative at highway speeds without warning. Two separate owners experienced sudden loss of steering assist while driving 50–60 mph. Dashboard warning 'Service Power Steering Drive with Care' appears after failure occurs. Diagnosis: internal malfunction of the steering system.
When: 5 months into ownership, early use
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist; Unable to turn vehicle at speed; No advance warning before failure; Dashboard warning: 'Service Power Steering Drive with Care'; Internal malfunction of steering system
Repairs/costs cited: One case: lemon law arbitration; repair completed after three-month investigation. Second case: steering rack diagnosed as defective at selling dealership within 20 minutes; GM refused to acknowledge defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner: GM inspection via ESIS concluded no issues found despite vehicle lacking steering; later arbitration required under lemon law before repair. Second owner: GM remains non-transparent and denies responsibility despite black box data reviewed.
Fuel Pump Control Module Short
Fuel pump control module shorts out, causing sudden complete engine power loss while driving at normal speed. No diagnostic warning lights illuminate, leaving driver unaware of fault until engine stalls.
When: July 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving 35–40 mph; Engine running then stops abruptly; No check engine light or warning indicators; No advance warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership identified fuel pump control module as source of short; repair cost not stated. Towing cost $144 (owner not reimbursed by GM).
Engine Cylinder Damage / Hard Start
Engine develops rough idle, hard starting, and eventual diagnosis of bad cylinders requiring full engine replacement. Second failure mode in a vehicle that previously experienced fuel pump module short.
When: August 2025, following earlier fuel pump failure
Symptoms owners cite: Rough engine idle; Difficult to start; Engine stalls shortly after starting; AC stops working
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis: cylinders bad, requires new engine. Vehicle still in shop as of November 2025; repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GMC Customer Service involved since July 2025; no reimbursement for towing or repair timeline clarity provided.
Multiple Electrical Gremlins (Check Engine, Park Assist, High Beams, Remote Start)
Check engine light triggers intermittently followed by cascading failures in unrelated systems. Automatic high beams, park assist, and remote start function erratically or fail. Auto stop/start continues running after brake is applied. Infotainment randomly initiates phone calls.
When: Within 3 months of ownership; issues escalate in frequency
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates intermittently; Park assist cuts on and off periodically; Automatic high beams cycle erratically; Infotainment system connects to phone and randomly makes calls; Auto stop/start remains active despite brake application; Remote start works only sporadically
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to identify or replicate faults despite owner notification
Factory Radio Electrical Short (Supply Chain Delay)
Factory radio develops electrical problem causing difficult starting. Dealership unable to obtain OEM replacement due to supply chain constraints and pulls fuse as temporary fix, disabling multiple cabin functions.
When: January 2024, at 17,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle difficult to start; Electrical fault in factory radio mechanism
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fix: fuse pulled to disable radio. This action disabled all turn signal sounds, backup camera functionality, and other safety features dependent on that circuit. OEM radio replacement unavailable due to supply chain issues with no ETA provided.
Backup Camera and Safety Feature Failures
Backup cameras become nonfunctional, eliminating visibility when reversing. Parking and lane safety audio alerts are silent, seat belt chimes absent. These features have failed multiple times despite service visits and repairs.
When: Recurring failures over ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera no longer functions; Front, rear, and side cameras display blank or non-functional; Parking audio alerts absent; Lane safety warning sounds silent; Seat belt alert chimes non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service visits (5–10 shop visits) without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer unable or unwilling to provide root cause or lasting fix
Flat Tire Alert and Sensor Failures
Flat tire alert system triggers repeatedly (seven times) without actual flat tires, indicating faulty tire pressure sensor or electrical circuit. Cameras and climate control also malfunction cyclically.
When: Recurring; vehicle in shop 72 days across 5 visits
Symptoms owners cite: Flat tire alert triggers without flat tires (7 times); Cameras stop working (5 instances); Climate control failure (4 instances); Lane departure warning operates erratically (2 times)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle in shop 5 times for 72 days total; issues persist
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet states they cannot replicate issue despite documented service visits
Engine Fire
Engine caught fire while vehicle was parked. Warning cascade appeared prior: 'Service Restraint System,' 'Auto Stop,' 'Reduced Engine Power,' and illuminated service lights. Owner saw flames after popping hood; three firemen and two mechanics indicated fire started before vehicle was even pulled over.
When: During normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: 'Service Restraint System' warning displayed; 'Reduced Engine Power' warning; Service Engine and traction control symbols illuminated; Visible flames from engine compartment
Vehicle Fire with Ignition Interlock Device
Vehicle caught fire while parked after Smart Start ignition interlock device was installed. Possible electrical incompatibility or fault introduced during interlock installation.
When: While parked
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire while parked
Chronic Electrical Gremlins with Body Rattles and Water Intrusion
Persistent electrical issues compounded by water intrusion into door frames causing internal water slosh. Four radio replacements failed to resolve electrical gremlins. Steering column pops audibly. Vehicle has been serviced ten times over two years without resolution.
When: From purchase, ongoing for two years
Symptoms owners cite: Popping sounds in steering column; Rattles throughout body; Water leaking into door frames and sloshing inside; Recurring infotainment failures; Electrical system cascading faults
Repairs/costs cited: Four radios installed; ten service visits with no lasting correction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet refusing to lemon law vehicle despite 10 shop visits for same issues
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
While driving, warning "Service Restraint System" popped up on the speedometer display, followed by "Auto stop" something, then "Reduced Engine Power", and symbols lit up including the Service Engine and traction control symbols. I pulled over, saw what I thought was steam emanating from the passenger side of the hood. I popped the hood intending to investigate and saw flames. 3 firemen and 2…
Ever so often my check engine will pop on and everything will go haywire. The park assist will cut on and off periodically as well as the automatic high beams and also the infotainment system will connect to my phone and randomly make phone calls at any time. I'm usually alerted of this malfunction when I start the vehicle. Also, the auto stop/start will be active but will continue running when…
The 1st time my 2022 Equinox broke down was July 1st 2025 approximately 3+ miles from my house turned left at intersection (stop sign) approximately 50 yards. All sudden engine lost power (engine was still running) till it stopped running. (At that time I was thinking it ran out of gas. I know I had plenty of gas). No advance warning. No idiot lights came on, not even the check engine either. I…
My vehicle was not able to use the Onstar properly and after researching numerous complaints I guess a faulty or bad Onstar module is a common issue among gm owner especially within the first 12 months of owning the vehicle. Why is this problem not being recalled or compensated to the hundreds of individuals paying out of pocket for this malfunction which is close to $1000? Why is the module…
We have had this issue for going on two years. When we bought the car, we immediately started having problems. When we were driving the car, it would start popping in the steering column. We then started having rattles within the body, that are still going, to this day. We have had 4 radios put in due to electrical, still having the same Issues with it, TO THIS DAY. There is some kind of leak…
Had electrical trouble with your 2022 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 electrical problem on the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2022/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.