2015 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Report
2015 Chevrolet Equinox Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (673) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 30 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox with 78 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Equinox Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Equinox years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox | 387 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Chevrolet Equinox | 267 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Equinox | 371 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Equinox | 277 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Equinox | 264 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Equinox | 78 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Chevrolet Equinox Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
235 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
150 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyVisibility
28 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train,Engine
24 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability Score
The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield Wiper Motor Failure General Motors is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles due to a faulty windshield wiper motor. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Excessive Oil Consumption The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine has been reported to have excessive oil consumption due to several issues. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Deployment Air bags may deploy unexpectedly without a collision, posing a safety risk. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Catalyst System Efficiency The P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1 has been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox:
General Motors is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles due to a faulty windshield wiper motor.
The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine has been reported to have excessive oil consumption due to several issues.
Air bags may deploy unexpectedly without a collision, posing a safety risk.
The P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1 has been reported.
Recall Details for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N...
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires.
Car uses excessive amount of oil! We have had the timing replaced and now it’s stating the P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1.
While driving my 2015 Chevrolet Equinox (2.4L Ecotec) in active traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of oil pressure with no prior warning, displaying a 'Stop Vehicle' message. The sudden loss of engine power created an immediate collision risk. Independent diagnosis confirmed the engine lost all oil. This is a known defect (GM Special Coverage #14882) where a frozen/clogged P...
According to our mechanic, our vehicle’s PCV system became clogged and it increased the pressure in our engine and caused the car’s rear main seal to rupture, leading to catastrophic oil loss, loss of power to the vehicle, and engine damage. In our case the entire engine needed to be replaced.
Noticed knocking in the engine and excessive oil usage. I keep my vehicle maintained. I went and had the values and seals replaced around engine for oil. Not even two to three weeks later knocking again. Took it back and engine is burning oil. Read about this make and model having defective pistons and rings causing oil to burn excessively. This has cost me thousands of dollars and it's still not ...
My daughter, the driver of this vehicle, noticed a noise. The check engine light came on. Over a short period, the noise from the engine progressively worsened. We brought the car to a certified mechanic. The mechanic's initial determination was that the engine would need to be replaced. It was determined that the engine was faulty, failing due to oil leakage that led to excessive oil consumption....
The ref air bag sensor appeared in my 2015 Chevy Equinox today. My vehicle has not been in a car accident as of today 1/24/26. None of my airbags have been deployed at all. I would like to report this defect and I would like Viva Chevrolet in El Paso Texas to be notified since that is the dealership where I purchased based my vehicle. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO TH...
Excessive oil consumption leading to a broken engine
The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine has been reported to have excessive oil consumption due to several issues: Defective Piston Rings: The oil control rings are prone to sticking and clogging, leading to oil blowby and excessive consumption. PCV System Issues: Problems with the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system can create excessive vacuum in the crankcase, con...
I bought a vehicle from a small dealership as a "as is". My passenger side door shifted. Its does not state on the title and I was not told that it was in a accident. I have had this vehicle about a month now. I have a loan against it.
The 2.4 liter engine in my car has had excessive oil consumption. now the engine oil is like peanut butter and the blow by out the oil fill is strong.
I am submitting this complaint due to a serious mechanical failure involving the vehicle’s transmission system. The transmission developed a fluid leak that resulted in a sudden loss of proper hydraulic pressure, causing abrupt and unintended vehicle movement while driving. This malfunction created a hazardous driving condition and nearly caused an accident. Given that the vehicle has approximatel...
My 2015 Chevrolet Equinox has a cracked exhaust manifold, a known issue affecting many vehicles of this model. When using the heat or air conditioning, gas fumes enter the cabin, creating a serious risk of carbon monoxide exposure. I regularly transport my two young children in this vehicle, and we are forced to drive with the windows down in cold weather to reduce the risk. The vehicle also cons...
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle jerked and idled roughly and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was provided with DTC P0172. The vehicle was not repaired. Several days later, ...
Timing chain tensioner lost tension and timing chain got so loose it would not turn the cams and catastrophic engine valve damage was done! This engine is notorious for this and there are class action lawsuits as a result but no recalls from GM as yet only TSB’s (Technician Service Bulletins). This is going to cost me thousands in repairs and I still owe $8500 on it. If this happens in traffic it ...
When I was driving down the street, I noticed smoke coming from the hood then flames . I parked off to the side of the road and open the door and took off running away from the vehicle. Loosing everything clothes, phones , jewelry important documents. I paid off the vehicle. Was happy that for once in my life I did something good until that happen so please help on what to do . I know I didn't pay...
Hello, on September 5, 2025 I was driving my 2015 Chevy equinox. I was in a collision while driving my 2015 equinox going at a speed of 60 mph on a highway. On the day of the collision i hit a cargo truck that was carrying vehicles an it completely destroyed the front of my 2015 chevy equinox despite the severity of the impact. None of the airbags deployed. Fortunately me and my daughter did not s...
THIS AUTO IS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE OWNER IS OUT OF TOWN FOR WORK MORE THAN SHE IS HOME. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON A THREE HOUR TRIP WHEN THE SIDEWALL OF THE MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR 225/65/R17 TIRE BLEW OUT. SHE WAS ABLE TO JUST MAKE IT OFF THE ROAD AND CHANGE THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ANOTHER TIRE SHOWS SIDEWALL CRACKING THAT COVERS THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL.
My vehicle has been cranking when trying to turn on. Sometimes when it does turn on, it will engage the anti theft system. It will also turn on my 4-ways, and windshield wipers other times without me triggering these buttons. Sometimes it will say that I don’t have power steering. Other times, my AC will not work. It puts me and my family at risk because if the system is continuously having issues...
I lost power in the middle of a clover leaf intersection without any previous indicator lights. I was barely able to get to a small shoulder and almost got hit by other vehicles. I was able to restart the car and get to a safer location. The timing chain was failing amd the engine oil was gummy according to the mechanic. I was barely over 100,000 miles. Vehicle oil had been regularly maintained wi...
The incident except for by my 2015 Chevrolet Equinox has major electrical faulty ends in and timing belt changes which causes the vehicle to stall on a consumer at any time for me I was driving on a major highway or five Lanes going to work and the car decided to slow down and started shedding off thank God that I made it to the far right side on a media strip and was able get the car to safety o...
Showing 20 of 673 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Visibility
Opened 2018-11-02 · Closed 2019-12-19
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant...
Component: Visibility
Opened 2019-12-13 · Closed 2022-11-28
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
Has the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
The 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 673 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 24 involved crashes. 19 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX involve visibility/wiper (235 complaints), engine (150 complaints), unknown or other (37 complaints). Other affected components include visibility, air bags, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
There are 24 crash reports associated with the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX out of 673 total complaints (3.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX out of 673 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
19 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX is proceed with caution. It has 673 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (235 complaints), 2. ENGINE (150 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (37 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY (28 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS (27 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 235 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and be aware of potential engine problems and unexpected air bag deployments. The 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 673 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 673 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 30 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Windshield Wiper Motor Failure and Excessive Oil Consumption.
What are the known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX include: Windshield Wiper Motor Failure, Excessive Oil Consumption, Air Bag Deployment, Catalyst System Efficiency. These are based on patterns found across 673 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
Common issues include windshield wiper motor failure, excessive oil consumption, unexpected air bag deployments, and catalyst system efficiency problems.
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox safe to drive?
While generally safe, be aware of potential visibility and wiper issues, and be cautious of unexpected air bag deployments.
What should I do if I notice excessive oil consumption?
Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic to identify and address the root cause of the excessive oil consumption.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and be aware of potential engine problems and unexpected air bag deployments.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The data includes 673 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 24 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 19 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14