Engine and brake issues are among the main causes of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The Chevrolet Equinox is a well-established, small SUV that automaker, General Motors, says will “show off your sporty side.” Now in its third generation, the 2022 model featured a general facelift. The 2023 model received minor adjustments, but is largely unchanged. There is an engine change made, says GM, to improve emissions and combustion. There is also a new electronic brake booster system. While owners haven’t reported many issues about the 2023 model, it’s worth noting that both the engine and brakes feature in complaints. For example, owners are complaining that the brakes fail and there are problems with vehicles not accelerating.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2020 2021 2022
Initial complaints to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) about the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox are linked, by owners, to the engine, powertrain, electrical system, and brakes.
There are also 2 recalls, one that relates to loose bolts in the drivers’ seat frames in thousands of 2022-2023 Chevy Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles.
The other relates to a handful (9) 2023 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles with faulty airbags in vehicles with ventilated front passenger seats. The problem is that the Occupant Classification System, which should disable the airbag if there is a child in the passenger seat, malfunctions. If these cars crash, the front passenger airbag may deploy with an infant or child in the seat. This increases the risk of injury during the crash.
As a matter of interest, both the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain have major problems with engines that stall. While this is understood to be due to an issue with fuel pumps, many vehicle owners are reporting that replacement fuel pumps don’t fix the problem.
There is no mention of fuel pump changes with either the 2023 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain, but both have updated, turbocharged LSD engines. The motivation, says GM, is to improve combustion and emissions.
By early May, 2023, there had not been any complaints to the NHTSA relating directly to stalling issues with either vehicle.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Electrical System | |
| Steering | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Air Bags | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline |
There are varied problems that relate to the 2023 Equinox engine and the powertrain. For example, an owner from Ohio reported experiencing vibrations and loud noise when driving at 35-40 mph. According to the NHTSA complaint, the dealership had no solution, and was “waiting for GM to respond. I have seen similar complaints about driveline and drive axle complaints for earlier model year Chevrolet Equinox” vehicles.
An NHTSA complaint filed as an electrical system problem, states that while driving at different speeds, the check engine, engine control module (ECM), and traction control warning lights come on. Additionally, when traveling at more than 60 mph, the Equinox won’t accelerate even when the pedal is pushed right down to the floor. And several times, the SUV wouldn’t start up. The dealer diagnosed a loss of communication codes but “was not certain of how to repair the vehicle.”
We've fixed thousands of lemon problems. Message or call 877-795-3666 today.
An owner with only 170 miles on a new Equinox describes in an NHTSA complaint how the brakes failed after he had stopped to fill up with gas. This resulted in a crash.
“I went to the gas station to fill the car with gas. I pulled alongside the pumps and put on the brakes but they failed.” He applied the brakes again, but they failed again. So, he put the SUV in neutral, but then “ran into a pole. I called GM, and they checked the brakes, (but) could not find any problem. I asked if they checked the computer but they didn’t know.”
If you think you’ve bought a lemon, you don’t have to live with it. Lemberg Law will assess your problems free of charge and help you get compensation or a settlement. Every year automakers buy-back, replace, or trade-in lemon vehicles. Additionally, the law says that the automaker, in this case GM, must pay the legal fees for lemon law cases.
We have negotiated many settlements on behalf of our clients. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. It’s not going to cost you a cent.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
See more posts from Brian Jones
I leased a new 2023 Chevy Equinox LT, after turning in my 2020 Chevy Equinox Lt, which I was happy with. The new 2023 does not have the “Lane change alert with side blind alert” which is a very important safety feature. The salesman did not tell me that my new vehicle didn’t have that feature, due to a computer chip problem, and that many new Chevy’s are missing that safety feature.. I realized that when I left the dealership. Upon returning home, I called the dealer the very next morning, and want to cancel my contract, because that is fraud. I will never buy or lease another GM product ever!