Key reported issues with the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox include recurring infotainment and instrument cluster failures, transmission concerns, OnStar connectivity problems, and windshield defects—based on Lemberg Law’s internal data, NHTSA reports, and consumer feedback.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is positioned as a compact SUV designed for everyday driving with modern technology and style. While it targets families and commuters who value comfort and connectivity, numerous consumers have reported a range of problems affecting vehicle safety and reliability. This article investigates the most frequent issues using data from NHTSA, consumer forums, and our firm’s internal data. The goal is to provide a clear understanding of these issues and recommend steps for potential lemon law situations.
Multiple data sources reveal several recurring problems with the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. Owners report issues impacting drivability, safety features, and the user experience. Below is a summary of the top five complaints:
Infotainment and Instrument Cluster Failures: Sudden blackouts of the digital dashboard and radio screen have been reported, causing serious safety risks by removing access to speed and critical alerts.
Transmission Malfunctions: Problems shifting gears, transmission slipping, and failure to engage certain gears compromise vehicle control and acceleration.
OnStar and Connectivity Issues: OnStar services repeatedly disconnect, GPS and remote features go offline, and the telematics system drains the battery unexpectedly.
Windshield Distortion and Cracking: Owners have noted severe visual distortions and cracks in multiple windshield replacements, impacting driver visibility.
Unexpected Vehicle Acceleration and Braking: Reports of unintentional acceleration, sudden braking, and safety system malfunctions raise serious concerns about the vehicle’s automatic controls.
2025 Chevy Equinox Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Visibility/wiper
88
88
Unknown Or Other
36
36
Electrical System
32
32
Service Brakes
17
17
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Top Problem #1: Infotainment and Instrument Cluster Failures
The most frequently occurring defect involves the infotainment screen and the main instrument panel going dark suddenly, sometimes for several seconds while driving. This blackout disables critical driver information including speed, warning lights, and navigation. Consumers have noted the following symptoms:
Dashboard and radio screens blank out simultaneously
Red collision warning lights flashing without obstructions
System rebooting while vehicle remains operational
Intermittent loss of speedometer and other essential readouts
Take a look at what one owner stated:
“[I] was driving down the road when a sudden loss of power to the infotainment system plus dashboard resulting in all black and being unable to see your speed/turn signals. The steering wheel lights suddenly flashed then shut off and won’t turn back on.”
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Top Problem #2: Transmission Malfunctions
Several reports highlight transmission problems, including difficulty shifting gears, random shifts into neutral, and failure to engage top gears at highway speeds. These defects impact driving safety and fuel efficiency. Symptoms frequently described include:
Shifter lock messages such as “Conditions not correct for shift”
Intermittent vehicle stalling or sudden loss of power
Failure to shift into 8th gear, limiting highway speed capabilities
Abnormal clunking noises during shifting or reversing
Here’s what one consumer experienced, “…upon attempting to park their vehicle, or attempting to shift into reverse, neutral, or into drive, the shifter becomes extremely difficult to put into gear, and a message will display on the instrument panel that stated “Conditions not correct for shift”, and all of the warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the valve body would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted.”
Top Problem #3: OnStar and Connectivity Issues
OnStar telematics, a key safety and convenience feature, has been prone to intermittent failures. Owners report loss of emergency response capabilities, remote vehicle access, and navigation service interruptions despite the system appearing active on the dashboard. Common complaints include:
OnStar system going offline for hours or days without warning
Battery draining unexpectedly due to faulty OnStar module
Dealership delays in obtaining replacement modules
Lack of dealer or manufacturer clarity on fixes or timelines
One owner wrote this about the issue:
“The OnStar module installed originally from [the] manufacturer was faulty, causing electrical issues. This ended up draining the battery unexpectedly. No warning that the battery was low. Only had .03 volts left when tested at [the] dealership. The OnStar button was experiencing issues such as blinking and loss of connection. Onstar Support was no help, and the car manufacturer ignored issues [such] as my phone’s software problem, until [the] new battery was drained and issues persisted while driving. Ultimately this left the OnStar not working for weeks leading up to the drained battery which was unsafe in case of accident as well.”
What Should You Do If Your 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Is a Lemon?
A lemon vehicle is one that repeatedly fails to meet quality and safety standards despite multiple repair attempts. Under state lemon laws, owners experiencing substantial defects can seek replacement or refund.
If your Equinox has ongoing problems such as those described, it is critical to:
Document all issues in detail, including dates, symptoms, and repair attempts
Keep records of dealer visits, service orders, and correspondence with Chevrolet or dealerships
File complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other consumer agencies
Understand your legal options under lemon law protections and consumer rights statutes
Don’t wait—lemon law claims have strict deadlines. Repeated unresolved issues with your Equinox may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement. Contact Lemberg Law today for a free consultation and explore your legal options. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win, making legal help risk-free for consumers facing defective vehicles.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
