Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Chevrolet Equinox?

Yes, but only slightly. The Honda CR-V wins on repair risk. Its yearly repair costs are lower, and its chance of a major repair is half the Equinox's. The Chevrolet Equinox does better on owner complaints relative to sales, so this is a close call rather than a clear win.

Which has more recalls, the CR-V or the Equinox?

The Honda CR-V has more. Federal recall records list 46 recalls across nine CR-V model years, compared with 32 for the Chevrolet Equinox over the same span. On any used car you are considering, check that the open recall work has been completed.

What is the steering problem on the Honda CR-V?

Owners say the CR-V's steering wheel sticks or catches near center, then suddenly lets go. Some also mention clicking or creaking. Reports cluster around 47,000 to 53,000 miles. Dealers usually diagnose a failing steering rack or gearbox. Separately, some owners say lane keeping assist tugs the wheel when they don't expect it.

Why does the Chevrolet Equinox brake pedal go to the floor?

Owners have filed reports of the Equinox brake pedal sinking while driving, with check engine, ABS, and ESC warnings coming on. In one case a dealer traced the problem to a defective ABS valve kit, and owners describe waiting weeks for backordered parts. Of the brake complaints, 24 are linked to crashes.

Do the CR-V and Equinox have fuel pump problems?

Yes, both do. Equinox owners report the car losing power at highway speed and showing "Engine Power Reduced," and dealers usually blame the high-pressure fuel pump. CR-V owners describe injector faults and high-pressure fuel pump failures that cause limp mode or stalling. On both models, owners mention long waits for parts.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Equinox

Good

More Reliable

Honda CR-V

Good

On reliability, the Honda CR-V holds a slight edge over the Chevrolet Equinox. Its repairs cost less and are half as likely to be major. The Equinox draws fewer owner complaints for each vehicle sold. But its brake pedal can sink to the floor, and its highway power loss can leave you stranded.

How Do the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V Generations Compare?

Most used shoppers will end up comparing a fifth-generation CR-V with a third-generation Equinox. Honda's fifth generation launched for 2017, got a facelift for 2020, and covers the 2018 to 2022 model years on this page. The sixth generation arrived for 2023 and ran through 2025. Chevrolet's third generation ran from 2018 through 2024, with a refresh for 2022, and a fourth generation followed for 2025. Each model's weakest years came early in those designs: 2018 and 2019 for the Honda, and 2018 and 2020 for the Chevrolet.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the Chevrolet Equinox, scoring 75/100 vs 73/100.

A slight edge goes to the Honda CR-V, and repair risk decides it. Independent repair-cost data shows lower yearly bills for the CR-V, and its repairs are half as likely to be major. The Equinox has a real point in its favor: it draws less than half as many owner complaints per 10,000 sold. That keeps the gap narrow. The CR-V also has more recalls on file. When something does go wrong, though, the Honda is more likely to need a smaller and cheaper fix. That makes it the safer bet, but only by a small margin.

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

2Chevrolet Equinox

—

3Honda CR-V

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR-V
Reliability Score	73/100	75/100
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	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V?

Steering is the CR-V's biggest worry. Owners describe a wheel that sticks near center and then lets go suddenly, so they overcorrect. The area has 24 crash-linked complaints. Steering is not among the Equinox's main problem areas. Its crash-linked trouble is in the brakes instead. The pedal sinks to the floor, and a "Brake System Failure" message can appear, again with 24 crash-linked reports. The CR-V's other main complaint is phantom braking from forward collision avoidance. The Equinox adds dashboard glare that can make the windshield nearly opaque. Highway power loss and limp mode show up on both, and high-pressure fuel pump failures appear in owner reports for each.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR-V
STEERING	0.1Very Low	1.8Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	0.9Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—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?

Repair bills favor the Honda. Independent repair-cost data puts the CR-V at $407 a year and the Equinox at $537. That $130 gap adds up to about $650 over five years. Shop visits are even, with each model averaging 0.3 unscheduled trips a year. The bigger difference is how serious those repairs are. On the Equinox, 18% are major, double the CR-V's 9%. A failed steering rack is still an expensive risk on a higher-mileage CR-V.

How Does Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR-V	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 0C	83/1000R / 35C	Honda CR-V
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

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox scored 76/100 and the 2024 Honda CR-V scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Equinox vs the Honda CR-V?

Pick the CR-V if your main concern is a big repair bill. It costs less to fix each year, and only 9% of its repairs are major. Skip 2018 and 2019, its weakest years. On a test drive, hold 40 to 50 mph and feel for steering that catches or resists returning to center. Listen for clicking or popping. Owners report steering rack quotes of $3,500 to $4,478. Also note any sudden braking with nothing ahead. Pick the Equinox if fewer owner complaints per vehicle matter more to you. Avoid 2018 and 2020, and look at 2023, one of its stronger years. Drive it in late-afternoon sun to check for windshield glare. Feel for vibration at 35 to 40 mph. Watch for brake, ABS, or ESC warnings on the dash. If you plan to flat tow it behind a motorhome, know that some owners report locked brakes even after following the manual's setup steps.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Chevrolet Equinox?: Yes, but only slightly. The Honda CR-V wins on repair risk. Its yearly repair costs are lower, and its chance of a major repair is half the Equinox's. The Chevrolet Equinox does better on owner complaints relative to sales, so this is a close call rather than a clear win.
Which has more recalls, the CR-V or the Equinox?: The Honda CR-V has more. Federal recall records list 46 recalls across nine CR-V model years, compared with 32 for the Chevrolet Equinox over the same span. On any used car you are considering, check that the open recall work has been completed.
What is the steering problem on the Honda CR-V?: Owners say the CR-V's steering wheel sticks or catches near center, then suddenly lets go. Some also mention clicking or creaking. Reports cluster around 47,000 to 53,000 miles. Dealers usually diagnose a failing steering rack or gearbox. Separately, some owners say lane keeping assist tugs the wheel when they don't expect it.
Why does the Chevrolet Equinox brake pedal go to the floor?: Owners have filed reports of the Equinox brake pedal sinking while driving, with check engine, ABS, and ESC warnings coming on. In one case a dealer traced the problem to a defective ABS valve kit, and owners describe waiting weeks for backordered parts. Of the brake complaints, 24 are linked to crashes.
Do the CR-V and Equinox have fuel pump problems?: Yes, both do. Equinox owners report the car losing power at highway speed and showing "Engine Power Reduced," and dealers usually blame the high-pressure fuel pump. CR-V owners describe injector faults and high-pressure fuel pump failures that cause limp mode or stalling. On both models, owners mention long waits for parts.

More Chevrolet Equinox comparisons

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More Honda CR-V comparisons

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage reliability Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 reliability Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Honda CR-V reliability by year Honda CR-V years to avoid

Decided between Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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