2019 Chevrolet Equinox Problems: 20 Known Issues

On the 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox 1.6L Turbo-Diesel I4 (LH7), the diesel Equinox (1.6L LH7) is prone to NOx-sensor and diesel-exhaust-fluid (DEF/SCR) emissions faults. Failing or out-of-calibration NOx sensors and reductant-injection problems set codes such as P11DB (NOx sensor 1 performance) and P249D (closed-loop reductant control at limit), trigger a 'service emissions system' warning with a countdown, and ultimately force the vehicle into a speed-limited limp mode to protect the SCR catalyst. Owners report repeat failures because GM revised the NOx sensors multiple times. A holed/leaking charge-air cooler can also let unmetered air in and mimic the same emissions faults, so the intake must be checked too. This is a high-stakes, expensive emissions issue for the relatively rare but enthusiast-tracked diesel.

On the 2010-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, p0442 sets when the ECM detects a small evaporative-system leak — roughly a 0.020–0.040 inch hole's worth of pressure loss. On the Equinox this code follows a clear hierarchy of culprits. The single most common cause across all years is a degraded gas-cap O-ring that no longer seals (or a cap not clicked tight after refueling). On the second-generation 2.4L (LEA/LAF) and V6 models, the next most frequent offenders are the EVAP purge solenoid and the canister vent solenoid, which stick or leak internally. A cause that is distinctly an Equinox/Terrain pattern — especially in salt-belt states — is the metal EVAP line running under the driver's-side frame rail rusting through, which no amount of solenoid or gas-cap replacement will fix.

On the 2018-2021 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L LYX Turbo I4, the 1.5L turbo (LYX) in 2018+ Equinox is reported to lose coolant with no obvious external leak, leading to overheating and, in some cases, head-gasket failure (coolant entering the combustion chamber). Owners describe the coolant level dropping over time with overheating events. Separately, the early 1.5L turbo had an intercooler/charge-pipe condensation problem in very cold climates where moisture freezes and blocks airflow, triggering reduced-power conditions; GM updated the intercooler and charge-pipe design on later builds.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox, third-generation Equinox (2018-2022) uses a camshaft-driven mechanical vacuum pump mounted at the rear of the cylinder head to supply the brake booster (the turbo intake is pressurized, so there is no manifold vacuum). This pump can seize and its drive gear break, suddenly eliminating brake assist — the pedal becomes 'hard as a rock' with greatly increased stopping distances. In severe cases the pump shatters and sends metal debris into the engine, causing catastrophic internal damage. NHTSA has over 300 complaints; a related GM recall (19V645000) reprogrammed the brake control module on other models but excluded the Equinox/Terrain, and a February 2026 class action (Thieme v. General Motors) targets 2018-2022 Equinox/Terrain.

On the 2018-2023 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L Turbo (LYX), the 1.5L turbocharged engine (LYX) can develop front or rear crankshaft seal oil leaks and set DTC P1101 because of higher-than-normal crankcase pressure. GM traces this to a plugged PCV orifice in the camshaft cover.

On the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L Turbo I4 (LYX), because the 1.5L turbo (and the earlier 2.4L SIDI) is a gasoline direct-injection engine, no fuel washes over the back of the intake valves. Over 40k-80k miles, oil vapor from the PCV system bakes onto the valves as hard carbon, restricting airflow and disrupting the seal. Owners report a check-engine light with single- or multi-cylinder misfires that are worst on a cold start, plus a slight loss of power and rougher idle. GM Preliminary Information PIP5029D acknowledges misfires caused by 'major carbon build up on the intake and/or exhaust valves' on its earlier direct-injection engines, including the 2010-2014 Equinox 2.4L, 3.0L and 3.6L; it does not list the 1.5L turbo.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L turbo I4 (LYX), on 1.5L turbo (LYX) Equinox models, moisture accumulates inside the charge air cooler (intercooler) and, in cold or highly humid weather, can freeze or pool enough to severely restrict intake airflow. This trips turbo underboost/MAP faults and pushes the engine into 'Engine Power Reduced' limp mode with sluggish acceleration. A related GM TSB also documents the charge air cooler outlet tube separating from the throttle body on 2018-2022 1.5L turbo models, producing the same reduced-power symptom. This is distinct from the known coolant-loss/intercooler-condensation head-gasket issue — here the failure is airflow restriction and boost loss, not coolant consumption.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox, the turbocharger wastegate regulator solenoid (and the wastegate actuator linkage) on the turbo engines can stick, weaken, or freeze - moisture and oil condensate can jam the solenoid in cold weather. The result is erratic boost control that trips overboost or underboost faults and throws the vehicle into limp mode with a 'Engine Power Is Reduced' message, sometimes limited to ~15 mph. Testing shows wastegates weakening as early as ~8k miles on hard-used examples. This is a boost-control defect separate from the covered charge-air-cooler condensation issue.

On the 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L turbo I4 (LYX), gM technical guidance documents 2018-2019 Equinox models with the four-cylinder turbo engine running rough and/or stalling on a cold start with the malfunction indicator lamp illuminated. Performance smooths out once the engine warms. The condition is caused by an engine control module software anomaly, with DTC P050D found set/stored in history. Owners experience repeated cold-start stumble, near-stalls, or actual stalls in cold morning starts.

On the 2010-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, transmission shuddering is common in Equinox models, typically caused by torque converter clutch issues or depleted transmission fluid additives. The shudder is most noticeable during light acceleration between 25-50 mph as the transmission shifts through 3rd-5th gears.

On the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox, a widespread, heavily-searched complaint: the driver information center displays "Shift to Park" even though the lever is already fully in Park, and the vehicle then refuses to lock, refuses to allow the key/fob to leave, or will not restart. The root cause is an internal park-position microswitch inside the transmission-control (shifter) assembly whose contacts/actuator arm wear out and stop sending the correct low-voltage signal to the Body Control Module. It is intermittent at first (often heat- or vibration-related) and progresses to a daily no-start/no-lock condition. GM's service bulletins for this condition (e.g. the PIT5616 series and 19-NA-206) list other GM models such as the Malibu, Traverse, Blazer and Acadia rather than the Equinox, and there is no recall; the official repair on those models is replacement of the entire shifter assembly because the switch is not sold separately. The same defect affects the platform-mate GMC Terrain and many other 2014-2024 GM models, which is why owner forums are full of it.

On the 2010-2023 Chevrolet Equinox, equinox models are prone to parasitic battery drain where electrical components continue drawing power when the vehicle is off. Common culprits include the OnStar module, radio/infotainment system, interior lights, and stuck relays.

On the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox, the center touchscreen (Chevrolet MyLink / Infotainment 3) intermittently goes completely black, freezes, or reboots in a loop while the rest of the car operates normally. Owners lose the backup camera, climate display, radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and OnStar screen. The failure is usually a software/HMI-module fault but is also commonly traced to loose or corroded connectors and cables at the radio receiver located behind/below the glove box, or to a failing HMI (Human-Machine Interface) display module. A temporary fix is a system reboot (hold the power/volume knob ~10-15 s, or hold Home + fast-forward for 10 s), but it returns until the underlying module or wiring is addressed. This is one of the most-searched Equinox electrical complaints across model years.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox, on Equinox models with the panoramic/power sunroof, the four sunroof drain tubes are prone to clogging with debris or shrinking and popping off the sunroof tray fittings. Instead of routing rainwater/wash water down the A- and C-pillars and out under the vehicle, the water backs up and dumps inside — soaking the headliner, A-pillar trim, front carpet/footwells, rear seat area, and pooling in the spare-tire well. Owners frequently first notice damp carpet, a musty smell, or fogged windows before finding the source. Left unaddressed, the standing water in the spare well can corrode body metal and damage under-floor electrical connectors and modules. This is a high-volume owner complaint distinct from the rear-liftgate leak.

On the 2010-2022 Chevrolet Equinox All engines, on power-liftgate-equipped Equinox, the hands-free/power tailgate frequently stops working - it won't open, opens but won't latch closed, partially opens then stops, or won't hold itself up. Root causes include a failed liftgate latch actuator, a worn strut/drive motor, misaligned position sensors, a corroded wiring harness at the hinge, or a failed liftgate control module (sometimes triggered by a battery disconnect that loses module programming). On some second-gen cars a non-serviceable latch relay inside the underhood fuse block is the culprit.

On the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox, the direct-injection fuel injectors on the 1.5L turbo can leak - internally past a cracked injector body/tip (dumping raw fuel into the cylinder and causing a misfire) or externally past worn upper O-rings (fuel smell, weeping at the rail). This is distinct from the covered high-pressure fuel-pump and in-tank fuel-pump-module failures. GM issued a Customer Satisfaction Program for a fuel-injector leak on some 2025 Equinox that directs dealers to replace all four injectors and the fuel feed pipe.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox, a very common 2018+ Equinox complaint: the fuel gauge is wildly inaccurate. Owners report the needle never reaches Full even after topping off (often reading ~3/4), drops or jumps erratically, or hits 'E' with many gallons still in the tank — making it nearly impossible to judge real range. The cause is a fuel-level sender/fuel-pump module that does not seat correctly in the bottom of the tank (insulator pads interfere with sender float travel) and/or sender wiring/ground faults. Dealers have told customers the issue affects essentially all 2018 Equinox/Terrain units, and swapping clusters or senders alone often does not fix it without correcting the module seating.

On the 2010-2022 Chevrolet Equinox, the air-conditioning condenser on the Equinox commonly develops refrigerant leaks at its tubes and seals, or from stone-chip damage to the front-mounted core. Because the condenser's internal tubes and seals cannot be serviced individually, a leak requires full condenser replacement. The classic symptom is the A/C blowing warm air, often with an oily, grimy residue visible on the condenser where refrigerant and PAG oil have escaped. This is a frequently reported wear item across multiple model years, especially 2016-2017.

On the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox All engines, owners of third-generation (2018+) Equinox report tires wearing out far ahead of their tread-life rating - some down to 1-2/32 in under 20,000 miles on tires rated for 60,000. Investigations point to out-of-spec rear alignment from the factory (excessive rear toe and camber), which scrubs the tires on the inner or outer edges. A fleet report found 7 of 7 checked vehicles had rear alignment out of spec. Chevrolet has frequently declined warranty claims, calling it a tire-manufacturer issue.

On the 2017-2024 Chevrolet Equinox All engines, owners across multiple model years report the factory windshield cracking from very minor rock strikes that would normally cause only a chip, with some drivers on their second, third, or fourth windshield within a year or two. A separate but related complaint is optical distortion/blurriness in the glass that causes glare and, for some, motion sickness, and which often persists even after a warranty replacement. The thinness/quality of the laminated glass is the suspected root cause; there is no recall, but the complaint volume is high.