Is the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
276 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 186, 5.3× a quiet Equinox year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 67k and 99k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Equinox owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 185 (67%) | 67k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 32 (12%) | 12k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 21 (8%) | 18k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (4%) | 37k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | 32k–106k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 19 (7%) | 10k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 19 (7%) | 10k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 276 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 37 say the car was towed.
31 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was in a mcdonalds drive thru when I noticed a strong petroleum smell. I pulled into a parking space and found oil gushing from the engine.
Purchased the vehicle april 2019. Have proof of 6 oil changes and proper maintenance while driving for less than 2 years, but due to no warnings of low oil on the vehicle and with a confirmed defect stated by my mechanic.
My car has 63000 miles on it. I keep up with all oil changes. I have a 30 min hwy drive to and from work daily.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 384
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2016 Equinox: 400 complaints, consider selling · 2018 Equinox: 410 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Equinox years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
276 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 186, 5.3× a quiet Equinox year. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 67k and 99k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (185), transmission and drivetrain (32), fuel system (21), visibility and wipers (12), brakes (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 67k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.