Is the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
310 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 106, 3× a quiet Equinox year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 1k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 106 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 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 5,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 106 (34%) | 1k–36k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 85 (27%) | 22k–100k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 48 (15%) | 5k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 45 (15%) | 3k–47k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 37 (12%) | 3k–68k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 12 (4%) | 5k–13k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 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 5,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 310 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 24 say the car was towed.
51 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
The turbo cooler tube pops off when you accelerate. This causes the check engine light to come on and the vehicle to go into engine reduce power mode.
Turbo hose that connects to the throttle bottle pops off under acceleration, and engine loses power. This is an extreme safety issue.
While vehicle is coming to a hard stop or occasionally while making a right turn, there is a loud noise heard from the engine area.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 5,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox: 4
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet. A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket. In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
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: 379
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
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…
Correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set
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
Neighbouring years
2018 Equinox: 410 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2020 Equinox: 320 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
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 2019 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
310 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 106, 3× a quiet Equinox year. At 5,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 1k–36k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 4 of 106 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (106), brakes (85), fuel system (48), electrical system (45), transmission and drivetrain (37). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 1k–36k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 20V-668), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-667), Seats (NHTSA 19V-184), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-576). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.