Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 82/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Chevrolet Equinox
Brand: Chevrolet

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox scores 82/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$537

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,200–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 2)

2026 is year 2 of the Fourth generation (2025).

Redesigned for the 2025 model year.
4th generation Equinox (US).

What this means for buyers

Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.

If you're comparing prices, check 2025 (redesign year) vs 2026+ pricing and recalls.

2025: Fourth generation (2025) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2026: This Model Year

2026 is year 2 of the Fourth generation (2025).

Should You Buy the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox earns an Excellent 82/100 reliability score. 2026 is year 2 of the Fourth generation (2025).

Across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints, the ownership picture is dependable.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.

See also the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+No recalls issued
+Low complaint frequency
+5-star NHTSA crash rating

Cons

No recurring complaint themes yet.

Compare 2026 Chevrolet Equinox With

2026 GMC Terrain

Reliability: 82/100

Excellent

2026 Mazda CX-50

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Reliability: 80/100

Excellent

2026 KIA Sportage

Reliability: 83/100

Excellent

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

Reliability: 76/100

Good

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Chevrolet Equinox? Check its history first

Every 2026 Chevrolet Equinox has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Chevrolet Equinox NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

BEV / Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (Yes)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Chevrolet EquinoxRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$537

vs $521 avg for compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

18%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Equinox

$537

Category Avg

$521

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Chevrolet Equinox Resale Value

The Chevrolet Equinox is estimated to retain about 59.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Chevrolet Equinox model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.

Value Retained: 59.1%
Depreciation: 40.9%
Listings Analyzed: 709

Listings observed in June 2026. Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.

Explore Chevrolet Equinox depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–27 MPG

Running cost: $2,750–$2,850/yr

Fuel + repair

25–26 city / 29 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Equinox FWD 1.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	26	29	27	$2,200
Equinox AWD 1.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic 8-spd	25	29	26	$2,300

Best & Worst Chevrolet Equinox Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Chevrolet Equinox Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2026 with a reliability score of 82/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (76/100) and 2023 (76/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

2026

(Current Model)

0Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2024

2Recalls

143Complaints

Good

2023

3Recalls

70Complaints

Chevrolet Equinox Years to Avoid

No Chevrolet Equinox years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Chevrolet Equinox maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Chevrolet Equinox years-to-avoid analysis

Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Score Trend

Chevrolet Equinox reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 73/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Chevrolet Equinox reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	69/100	Good
2019	71/100	Good
2020	70/100	Good
2021	74/100	Good
2022	71/100	Good
2023	76/100	Good
2024	76/100	Good
2025	72/100	Good
2026	82/100	Excellent

Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	82/100	+10	Excellent	0	0
2025	72/100	-4	Good	5	288
2024	76/100	0	Good	2	143
2023	76/100	+5	Good	3	70
2022	71/100	-3	Good	5	137
2021	74/100	+4	Good	4	75
2020	70/100	-1	Good	4	255
2019	71/100	+2	Good	4	273
2018	69/100	—	Good	5	382

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Yes, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is considered highly reliable with a score of 82/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. This may reflect limited time-on-road or reporting volume for this model year.

How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox have?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox expensive to maintain?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is expected to have below-average maintenance costs at $537/year, which is $16 more than the compact SUVs average of $521. Its high reliability score of 82/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest that unexpected repairs are uncommon.

Don’t buy a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Chevrolet Equinox.

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