Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Equinox
Honda CR-V
Choosing between the Chevrolet Equinox and the Honda CR-V? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda CR-V currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the Chevrolet Equinox, scoring 74/100 vs 72/100.
The Honda CR-V stands out with a higher average reliability score of 89/100 compared to the Chevrolet Equinox's 76/100. While the CR-V has more total recalls at 46 versus the Equinox's 32, it also features a lower owner complaint rate of 8 per 10,000 sold compared to the Equinox's 3.7. However, the CR-V offers a lower estimated annual repair cost of $407, making it potentially more cost-effective over time despite its more frequent recalls. The key differentiator is its stronger reliability score and lower repair costs, which give the CR-V an edge in overall reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Honda CR-V costs $130 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Equinox has 14 fewer total recalls
- 3Honda CR-V has 9% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Equinox | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 46 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.7 | 8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $537/yr | $407/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 9% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V?
The Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Equinox exhibit distinct problem profiles. The Honda CR-V has a notably high number of steering-related complaints, totaling 1,159, with 24 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern compared to the Chevrolet Equinox, which only reported 63 steering complaints with seven crash-linked. Conversely, the Chevrolet Equinox shows a higher incidence of power train issues, with 168 complaints and seven being crash-linked, a category where the Honda CR-V does not feature prominently. Additionally, both models report substantial issues with their service brakes, but the Honda CR-V has a higher number of crash-linked complaints (33) compared to the Equinox (24), underscoring a critical safety concern for the CR-V.
| Component | Chevrolet Equinox | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 1.8Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Equinox or Honda CR-V?
How Does Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Equinox | Honda CR-V | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/1005R / 288C | 80/1006R / 201C | Honda CR-V |
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 143C | 77/1004R / 406C | Honda CR-V |
| 2023 | 76/1003R / 70C | 72/1007R / 578C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2022 | 71/1005R / 137C | 76/1005R / 242C | Honda CR-V |
| 2021 | 74/1004R / 75C | 77/1003R / 241C | Honda CR-V |
| 2020 | 70/1004R / 255C | 74/10010R / 358C | Honda CR-V |
| 2019 | 71/1004R / 273C | 69/1007R / 996C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2018 | 69/1005R / 382C | 65/1004R / 1960C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2026(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | Honda CR-V |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox scored 76/100 and the 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Equinox vs the Honda CR-V?
Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox more reliable than the Honda CR-V?
- Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Honda CR-V?
- The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Chevrolet Equinox (32). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Honda CR-V?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Equinox has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Honda CR-V?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $537/year for the Chevrolet Equinox.
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Honda CR-V safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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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.
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