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Chevrolet

2019 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 408 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 487. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the engine "auto stop" feature can have enough delay to allow the accelerator to be pressed as the engine starts causing it to lurch forward rather than accelerate smoothly. it also can cause a delay when pulling out into heavy traffic. there is currently no way to temporarily or permanently defeat . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 27 crash reports 8 injuries

408

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

98 complaints
24%
  • THE ENGINE "AUTO STOP" FEATURE CAN HAVE ENOUGH DELAY TO ALLOW THE ACCELERATOR TO BE PRESSED AS THE ENGINE STARTS CAUSING IT TO LURCH FORWARD RATHER THAN ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. IT ALSO CAN CAUSE A DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY DEFEAT
  • THE AUTO STOP IS A HAZARD. WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR DOESN'T GET TO SPEED QUICK ENOUGH.
  • I AM UNABLE TO GAUGE THE TIME NEEDED FOR THE CAR TO RESTART AFTER "AUTOSTOP" SHUTS THE MOTOR AT A HARD STOP. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL DRIVERS AS EVEN WHEN LIFTING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AS IT SHOULD IN "DRIVE." INSTEAD, PLACING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IS REQUIRED. THIS CAUSES
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 3 crashes

THE ENGINE "AUTO STOP" FEATURE CAN HAVE ENOUGH DELAY TO ALLOW THE ACCELERATOR TO BE PRESSED AS THE ENGINE STARTS CAUSING IT TO LURCH FORWARD RATHER THAN ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. IT ALSO CAN CAUSE A DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY DEFEAT

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Based on 171 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 9K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
116
30-60K
25
60-100K
19
100-150K
10
150-200K
0
200K+
1

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 61 reports
0-30K
43
30-60K
7
60-100K
7
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 57K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
2
60-100K
5
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
14
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
12
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
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 (4)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION29/10/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,715
Per month
$143
Per mile
14.3¢
MPG
28
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,263/yr

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.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 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
$1,652
Full coverage / month
$138
Liability only / year
$600
vs US avg
-1%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1652

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 2019 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 408 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: THE ENGINE "AUTO STOP" FEATURE CAN HAVE ENOUGH DELAY TO ALLOW THE ACCELERATOR TO BE PRESSED AS THE ENGINE STARTS CAUSING IT TO LURCH FORWARD RATHER THAN ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. IT ALSO CAN CAUSE A DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY DEFEAT

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

  • BRAKES: BRAKES FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO FENCE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE & WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH GARAGE - THRU FRONT DOOR & OUT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CENTRAL CLAIMS CASE (XXX) INFORMATIO

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

  • FUEL SYSTEM: UNABLE TO DISABLE AUTO STOP ENGINE FUNCTION. WINSHIELD DEFROSTER USES AC COMPRESSOR TO AID DEFROAT OF WINDSHIELD WHICH NEEDS ENGINE RUNNING TO OPERATE. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT WINDSHIELD STEAMS UP ON THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF EXCESS MOISTURE IN EVAPORATOR.

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

  • ELECTRICAL: I AM UNABLE TO GAUGE THE TIME NEEDED FOR THE CAR TO RESTART AFTER "AUTOSTOP" SHUTS THE MOTOR AT A HARD STOP. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL DRIVERS AS EVEN WHEN LIFTING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AS IT SHOULD IN "DRIVE." INSTEAD, PLACING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IS REQUIRED. THIS CAUSES

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 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
408
Recalls
4
Fire reports
9
Crash reports
27
Injury reports
8
Segment avg
487

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Chevrolet EQUINOX