After I purchased my vehicle, 2026 chevy equinox rs, I noticed severe distortion on the front windshield. I had it replaced once, with the same problem. They were going to put another windshield in but we wanted to see it first, which was worse than the first two. I do not like the feeling of being car sick. Also, the transmission slipped once, while driving. It felt like it went into neutral…
2026 Chevrolet Equinox powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of November 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 Equinox | 12 |
| 2023 Equinox | 5 |
| 2024 Equinox | 11 |
| 2025 Equinox | 32 |
| 2026 Equinox (this page) | 15 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle misfired and hesitated. The vehicle momentarily lost power, during which it would not accelerate or brake. Power then returned, and all vehicle functions resumed. The contact stated that during the failure, the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel.…
I am driving a rental Chevrolet Equinox with the steering-column-mounted electronic gear selector. I believe this shifter design creates a serious safety hazard. The gear selector is a stalk on the steering column positioned and operated similarly to controls commonly used for windshield wipers in other vehicles. While driving, pulling back on this stalk can immediately shift the transmission…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2026 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 powertrain problem on the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 17,300 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2026/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.