BestCarRank
Chevrolet

2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 844 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 487. The most common issue is visibility problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet equinox. while driving various speeds, the sun shined into the front windshield and reflected off the chrome finish onto the front cup holders and obscured the contact's vision while driving. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 27 crash reports 19 injuries

844

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

280 complaints
33%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN SHINED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME FINISH ONTO THE FRONT CUP HOLDERS AND OBSCURED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER
  • MY 2015 EQUINOX HAS SPOTS ALL OVER THE REAR WINDSHIELD. I'VE BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. THE SPOTS APPEAR TO BE FADING SPOTS INSIDE THE WINDOW GLASS, CANNOT WIPE THEM OFF OR NO AMOUNT OF CLEANING WORKS. WHEN DRIVING IN CERTAIN LIGHT, THE SPOTS ARE VERY DISTRACTING AND CAUS
  • DANGEROUS SITUATION. PASSING CARS (IN MOTION) ON INTERSTATE 81S WHILE RAINING. WIPERS STOP AND VISIBILITY HAMPERED. REPAIR - WIPER TRANSMISSION REMOVED AND REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECORDED FOR MANY YEARS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN SHINED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME FINISH ONTO THE FRONT CUP HOLDERS AND OBSCURED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Based on 515 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 73K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
71
30-60K
107
60-100K
211
100-150K
108
150-200K
17
200K+
1

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 39K mi · 29 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
7
60-100K
10
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
3
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 40K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 20K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
4
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 76K mi · 212 reports
0-30K
14
30-60K
38
60-100K
109
100-150K
42
150-200K
9
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW16/10/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Live EIA prices
Per year
$3,461
Per month
$288
Per mile
28.8¢
kWh/mi
1.53

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,781
Full coverage / month
$148
Liability only / year
$665
vs US avg
+6%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1781

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet EQUINOX Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
45K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
23K mi
Engine air filter
45K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2015 EQUINOX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 844 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN SHINED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME FINISH ONTO THE FRONT CUP HOLDERS AND OBSCURED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: ON TWO (2) SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED DEAD IN THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, RADIO ETC. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BOTH TIMES. THIS COULD BE DEADLY IF I AM ON A BUSY ROAD OR FREEWAY. I AM TERRIFIED FOR MY SAFETY, BUT ALSO FOR MY TWO YEAR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: ON 1/2/2017 I POSSIBLY TOTALED A 2015 CHEVY EQUINOX AND I WASN'T EVEN IN IT. I AM THE FIRE CHIEF IN MY TOWN AND RESPONDED TO A NON-RESPONSIVE INDIVIDUAL CALL. WHEN I ARRIVED I WAS APPARENTLY DISTRACTED BY THE CALL TYPE AND WHAT WE WERE GOING TO BE DOING NEXT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND EXITE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER LENS ALLOWS FOR AN EXCESSIVE GLARE THAT NOT ONLY PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO ADEQUATELY READ THE SETTINGS OF THE ANALOG GAUGES, BUT IS ALSO A NUISANCE AND A DISTRACTION ALLOWING THE GLARE FROM THE LENS/COVERS TO BLIND THE DRIVER'S VISION, IN ADDITION TO THE G

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
844
Recalls
2
Fire reports
8
Crash reports
27
Injury reports
19
Segment avg
487

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX