2025 Chevrolet Equinox: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
218 NHTSA owner complaints · 0 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The second-generation Equinox (2010–2017) with the 2.4-litre four-cylinder is known for consuming oil, which leads to timing-chain wear and, if neglected, engine failure; General Motors extended the warranty on the piston rings. The complaint counts are steady rather than spiking, and the 2016–2017 years score 86 and 91. Read the full note on the model page. 2025 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 218 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Chevrolet Malibu, Cruze and Equinox: the four-cylinder years to watch, including 2025 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 218 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 218.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I've noticed several times that my '25 Equinox LT AWD doesn't shift gears correctly, like it gets stuck on a certain gear. When it gets stuck, I slowly take my foot off the accelerator, it often helps, but this needs to be fixed. I had one scary incident when I was getting on the freeway and accelerating of course and the car automatically shifted to Neutral. Thank goodness there was no cars behind me, I had to pul…
On the climate control panel, where you turn the knob to turn on the ac/heater and the knob whether you want cold or hot air blowing, has a very tiny and dim light. It's really hard to see it especially in the daylight, other vehicles I've had shows this very clear where you don't have to take your eyes off the road for more than a second. With trying to find where that light is, it isn't safe while driving. I feel t…
I was going about 65 and the car suddenly brakes for no reason and dropped to about 50. Thought I was going to be rear ended
Recalls: 0 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 26 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,350
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System75 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other49 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Forward Collision Avoidance32 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Power Train31 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Visibility/Wiper27 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Service Brakes25 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Chevrolet Equinox years
Chevrolet Equinox years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (75 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 46/100, computed from 218 NHTSA complaints and 0 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox's most common problem?
75 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox cost to run per year?
About $7,302 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $36,510 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 218 complaints, 0 recalls on record
- 218 NHTSA complaints on record (218.0/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (45.5/yr)
- 0 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems