2025 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report electrical and software-related problems: the telematics/OnStar module failing or going backordered, instrument displays going blank, and infotainment connectivity dropping out. Many of these appear within the first few thousand miles. A second cluster of reports covers hesitation, shuddering or unexpected loss of drive in the transmission, along with false or abrupt automatic emergency braking.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shudder, hesitation, and loss of drive (transmission)

   • 52 complaints (22%)
   • median 8,700 mi at 1.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering or violent vibration while accelerating or reversing, the transmission slipping or unexpectedly shifting into neutral or park, and occasional stalling with loss of power. Some owners report the dealer finding transmission fluid leaks or metal debris and recommending replacement, while others were told the concern could not be duplicated. A few mention harsh engagement and rollback on hills. Typically reported between roughly 1,000 and 24,000 miles, sometimes within the first few hundred miles and often intermittent.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test-drive at low and highway speeds and from a stop, watching for shudder, delayed engagement or a clunk. Ask for service records on transmission fluid leaks, software updates or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle rolls back very often when in drive. Even holding down the brake at a hill then hitting the accelerator it still rolls back. When in cruise control and I take over it also tends to make the vehicle jump when the vehicle takes back over. Overall harsh riding. Feels like it’s all coming from that CVT. Dealer says that it may be an issue but can’t replicate it unless it stays there with them for a while until they can replicate the issue. There have been incidents where I’ve almost rolled back and hit other vehicles due to this cause. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685773, filed 2025-09

   “When the vehicle was stopped in an intersection, the vehicle would shift from D to P by itself. The check engine lamp was subsequently lit. I would not able to shift it out of P until I restart the vehicle several times. During such incidents, I was stuck in the middle of the intersection for a few minutes, impeding traffics and endangering myself and other motorists on the road. This problem first happened on September 20, 2024. The vehicle's odometer was at 1824 miles. The dealer made a repair. This problem happened again on October 14, 2025. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11697502, filed 2025-11
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Telematics/OnStar module failure and connectivity loss

   • 62 complaints (26%)
   • median 17,520 mi at 0.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe OnStar, GPS, remote app access and over-the-air updates stopping working, sometimes with the message that emergency calling needs service. Several owners report the module draining the battery or the vehicle needing a jump start, and that dealers said the part was on backorder with no repair date. Some also mention blank or flickering displays and lost radio/phone connectivity alongside it. Reported from a few thousand miles up, across many model months, with several owners noting repeated failed software updates before the module was replaced.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Before buying, test OnStar, the MyChevrolet app, navigation and emergency calling, and ask the dealer whether the telematics module has been replaced or updated. Check for a battery drain history or recent jump starts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Telematics module stopped working out of nowhere and drains my battery to my vehicle. Had to have the vehicle towed to nearby dealship. Huge safety hazard as it is essentially the brains to my computer. App doesn't work without it, battery doesn't work and can't even get inside vehicle with key fob. Please issue recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11680143, filed 2025-08

   “The onstar telematics module has stopped functioning. That means I am not receiving any systems updates, cannot use onstar, and cannot use the my Chevrolet app for remote start or remote unlock. I took it to the dealer 2 weeks ago and they said the telematics module is backordered. They did do a number of system updates. After those updates my adaptive cruise control has completely stopped working. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11719407, filed 2026-02
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Automatic braking and warning activating without obstacle

   • 40 complaints (17%)
   • median 12,020 mi at 0.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the vehicle braking hard on its own when no obstacle is present, including in reverse and at highway speed, sometimes preceded by seat vibration or a warning chime. Several also describe the steering assist or lane system tugging at the wheel unexpectedly. Dealers were often unable to find fault codes or reproduce the event. Reported from low mileage through the first year, usually intermittent and often in parking lots or open road without nearby traffic.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any front camera module or software update has been applied, and try adaptive cruise and reverse cross-traffic features on the test drive. Note whether the dealer has a record of camera-module diagnostics.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While in a parking lot going about 10mph or less, a car pulled out from a parking space on the left. I did a full brake and despite being dry, warm pavement, the car activated abs and released some brake pressure and allowed the car to continue to move. This ment that my braking distance increased by about 5-10 feet more than you'd expect. I have had this happen 3 times, each time a car was pulling out perpendicular on the left. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11738435, filed 2026-05

   “Vehicle was being parked in garage when it accelerated in reverse, on it's own, very quickly. Fortunately I was able to avoid colliding with any thing behind me by braking in time. I then shifted into drive when vehicle accelerated forward, on it's own again, very quickly. I was not able to brake before vehicle crashed into concrete garage wall, severely damaging front end. Vehicle is still under warranty, and I intend to have dealership haul it in for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11687936, filed 2025-09
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and screen blackouts

   • 33 complaints (14%)
   • median 6,065 mi at 1.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the digital instrument cluster, infotainment screen, or both going completely black while driving, sometimes with headlights going out for several seconds. Some report the screen not coming on at startup, so there is no speedometer; others see warning lights flashing while the screens are dark. Dealers often could not reproduce the condition or found no fault codes. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to over 20,000 miles, often as an intermittent event.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: At handover, start the vehicle and confirm both screens boot up, and drive it briefly to watch for flicker or dropouts. Ask whether any radio or display module has been replaced or reprogrammed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this vehicle brand new on January 18th 2025 and it has been into the dealership 3 times now for a backup camera malfunction. My rear traffic alert or any of my other safety features when backing up are not working. On several occasions the entire instrument display including my speedometer and everything has completely blacked out.”

   NHTSA complaint #11706886, filed 2025-12

   “One time (so far) the screen behind the steering wheel that shows the gear and speedometer did not turn on when we started the car. We were able to back the car out of the garage and park it in our driveway. This is a safety concern because we could have driven the car in that condition - without a working speedometer. We are worried that the screen will turn off while we are driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #11698470, filed 2025-11
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sunroof glass cracking or shattering

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a loud bang followed by the front sunroof panel fracturing or shattering without an impact, sometimes showering glass into the cabin. Owners report the dealer replacing the glass. Separately, some owners describe windshield glare off the dashboard and stress cracks in the windshield after hot weather. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 20,000 miles, sometimes after heat exposure or while driving.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass closely for chips, stress marks or previous replacement, and ask whether the panel has been replaced under warranty. Check the windshield for cracks or distortion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving and my sunroof exploded. This sent shards of glass lose in my car and glass flying onto the road as well. The sunroof was replaced and was inspected by the service department as well. No warning signs or message.”

   NHTSA complaint #11757892, filed 2026-08

   “Windshield glare is horrible. It can cause distortion of objects. It can cause dizziness. Especially on bright sunlight and when many lights from oncoming traffic reflect off the windshield. I have had to pull over a few times. The dashboard shininess is a real problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11713045, filed 2026-01

Buying note. Much of what owners report here is electrical or software related, so verify that the telematics module, screens and driver-assist features all work and that any software updates have been applied. Ask for the full service history, since several concerns involved backordered parts and repeated dealer visits.

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.