2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year come almost entirely from vehicles with very low mileage, so they describe early ownership rather than long-term wear. Owners most often report dashboard glare reflecting off the windshield in sunlight, followed by automatic emergency braking that engages when nothing is in the path. A smaller but repeated set of reports covers brake feel, warning messages and module failures, and dashboard/water leaks.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Dashboard glare reflected onto windshield

   • 78 complaints (47%)
   • typically at 0.5 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2025

   Owners describe the textured or slotted dashboard reflecting onto the inside of the windshield in sunlight, at times covering much of the driver's view with a mirrored image of the dash. Complaints say it makes lane markings, pedestrians and other cars hard to see, particularly at low sun angles and when light alternates between shade and open sun. Some owners report buying an aftermarket dash mat; complaints generally state the dealer had no fix to offer. Reported across the sampled vehicles regardless of mileage, typically on sunny or partly sunny days.

   What to check: Sit in the car facing into the sun during a test drive and judge how much of the windshield reflects the dash. Ask whether any mat, cover or windshield treatment was added and whether the dealer was asked about it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Because of the design/materials on the dash, in sunlight there is a very large amount of glare reflected onto the front windshield. Depending on the situation, it can make it almost impossible to see out of the windshield. I almost changed lanes into a car next to and about half a car length ahead of me because I could not see it because of the glare. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11642335, filed 2025-02

   “I recently purchased this vehicle. The dash has a horrible reflection in the windshield creating some visibility issues the it is daytime especially in direct sunlight. I am worried that this hindered vision is going put drivers, pedestrians and animals at an increased risk of accidents. This is a known problem among the Equinox EV community, but I was unaware at the time of purchase.”

   NHTSA complaint #11663125, filed 2025-05
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Automatic emergency braking engages with nothing ahead

   • 32 complaints (19%)
   • typically at 1.1 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the vehicle braking hard on its own when no obstacle is present, sometimes at parking-lot speeds and sometimes at highway speed, and describe the stop as abrupt enough to throw occupants against the belts. Several complaints say it happened while accelerating from a light or changing lanes, and some owners turned the automatic braking features off afterward. Complaints mention that dealers and the manufacturer were contacted, with a common theme that the behaviour was not reproduced or resolved. Reported across the sample, from near-zero mileage to about 13,000 miles, in normal traffic and clear weather.

   Recall 25V012000

   What to check: Ask the seller which driver-assistance settings are enabled and whether any brake or camera-related software updates have been applied. Note that a recall covers brake module software on all-wheel-drive vehicles for adaptive cruise control braking, so confirm that remedy was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was waiting behind 2 cars at a red light to turn left. Once the light turned green, I slowly started to accelerate and turn, the car then came to an immediate stop in the middle of the intersection. The HUD indicated the front automatic braking was enabled. Luckily there was no one behind me so I wasn’t rear ended. This was at night time. This was a completely empty intersection besides the 2 in front of me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11710823, filed 2026-01

   “On numerous occasions, the multiple automatic collision braking systems have engaged in what I would describe as phantom breaking. For me personally, the automatic breaking has on multiple occasions caused a serious crash, both while backing out of parking, at intersections and most recently on Interstate 880. The AEB system engaged and slammed the breaks while changing a lane in traffic and the car came to a complete standstill. Two cars almost crashed into me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11733875, filed 2026-04
3. 3
   Electrical system

   OnStar and infotainment module failures, warning messages

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the telematics/OnStar module failing, which they say leaves them without remote status, charge information, navigation to charging stations or hands-free features. Complaints also describe "Service High Voltage System" messages, 12V battery drain, screens going black and rebooting, and clusters of stored fault codes. Several owners state parts were on backorder or that the dealer could not determine a cause. Reported from delivery mileage up to a few thousand miles, often within weeks of purchase.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that OnStar and remote app functions work during the test drive, confirm the 12V battery health, and ask whether any over-the-air or module updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “OnStar module has failed and malfunctioned. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle now sates it needs an important safety update from GM, but vehicle will not update. Vehicle has not been to a dealership at this time, because I can not get a dealership to give me an estimate for repairs, not will they provide a loaner. But the error code has been verified in writing by OnStar- yet they refuse to just send a new module to preferred dealer so I can get it repaired. Absolutely no warnings on vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11683821, filed 2025-08

   “I purchased this vehicle new. Within weeks started having issues with the OnStar system. Obviously with the module not working, other things began happening. I can't see status of charge. I can't find charging stations when driving. My hands free doesn't work because google is always off line. Can't use OnStar system because it doesn't work. Came out one morning to find my vehicle unlocked and all the windows down. I live in Florida, have never once used the defrost system or set the vehicle temperature above 72. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11683138, filed 2025-08
4. 4
   Forward collision avoidance

   Adaptive cruise control does not slow for stopped traffic

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 0.4 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report that adaptive cruise control follows a car ahead at speed but does not brake enough when that car slows to a stop, so the driver has to intervene as the collision warning appears. Some also describe the cruise re-engaging or the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly after the driver has used the brakes. Complaints state the behaviour repeated at different gap settings and speeds, and owners booked dealer service appointments. Described on vehicles with no mileage stated, during highway and stop-and-go traffic use.

   Recall 25V012000

   What to check: Test adaptive cruise control in traffic that comes to a full stop and confirm the driver still brakes as needed. Ask whether the brake module software recall for all-wheel-drive cars was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I activate adaptive cruise control with cruise braking my car will follow the the car ahead of me as it speeds up or slows down. But if that car slows down to a stop light, my car will not slow down enough before the red collision warning activates and I need to apply the brakes immediately to avoid impact. Happens every time at any gap distance or set speed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11634092, filed 2025-01

   “Brand new Chevrolet Equinox EV. When Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged, vehicle will accelerate or coast to mach speed of vehicle ahead, but will not engage brakes. ACC would collide with vehicle ahead unless driver acts. Problem is ongoing. Not one-time. Have scheduled dealer service.”

   NHTSA complaint #11627575, filed 2024-11

Buying note. This model year has had several software-related service actions, so ask for a record of completed recalls and updates rather than assuming they were done. During a test drive, check dashboard glare in sunlight and try the driver-assistance features in real traffic before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.