Chevy Equinox: Are They Lemons?

Fans of American cars often point to the Chevrolet Equinox as an affordable, comfortable compact SUV that’s great for families. The Equinox line has been in production since 2004, with three generations released so far. Gas and electric models are available, making it a tempting option for people who want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The problem is that since the third generation was released for 2018, many new owners have reported various issues with these SUVs. The Equinox has been the target of multiple recalls in the past several years, and Chevy has issued hundreds of technical service bulletins regarding common but not recall-worthy issues.

This is obviously a problem for owners. If you’ve purchased a Chevrolet Equinox that constantly needs repairs or has defects that make it harder to drive, you may own a lemon. The team at Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys can help. Our expert California lemon law attorneys are available to help you determine if your SUV is a lemon and pursue compensation from the manufacturer.

We use our experience on both sides of lemon law cases to develop the best case for your claim. Reach out to our Ventura law office today to get help with your California car warranty claim and learn about the best options for a speedy resolution.

History of Chevrolet Equinox Recalls

When a new generation of a vehicle line is released, problems and errors are inevitable. That’s why the Equinox has faced so many recalls in the past few years.

For example, the 2021 year model faced a recall for 470 vehicles after it was discovered that seat belt assemblies were not properly attached. This put drivers and passengers at risk of severe injuries if the assemblies broke during a crash. Other recent recalls include:

2020 Chevy Equinox Recalls

In 2020, the Equinox had three serious recalls:

• Faulty power train (194,105 vehicles affected): In a problem that affects 2018-2020 Equinoxes and multiple other Chevrolet models, it was discovered that the start-stop accumulator endcap was missing bolts. This could cause transmission fluid leaks, leading to loss of motive power and causing fire risks.
• Leaky gas tank (301 vehicles affected): Certain SUVs had leaky fuel tanks, causing the cars to leak gasoline whether they were on or off. These leaks put occupants in significant danger due to the fire risk the fuel posed.
• Overheating brake discs (166 vehicles affected): Faulty calipers were causing brakes to overheat in some SUVs, reducing the braking system’s effectiveness. Overheated brakes are less able to slow down the car and put drivers at risk of crashes.

2019 Chevy Equinox Recalls

In addition to all of the problems for the 2020 model, the 2019 year model was also recalled for:

• Faulty seat welds (120 vehicles affected): The rear right passenger seats of some 2019 Equinoxes were found to have been improperly welded to the frame. This weld was at risk of shattering in a crash, potentially causing injuries for that seat occupant.

2018 Chevy Equinox Recalls

In 2018, Equinoxes were recalled for:

• Poorly tempered windshields (379 vehicles affected): Some 2018 SUVs were fitted with improperly tempered windshields, which were prone to shattering into large and dangerous pieces in a crash. These pieces increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
• Loose driveshafts (2905 vehicles affected): Nearly 3000 2018 vehicles were identified to have improperly assembled drive shafts that were at risk of separating, causing one wheel to lose connection to motive power and brakes. This increased the risk of accidents while in operation and unintentional vehicle movement while parked.
• Damaged fuel lines (895 vehicles affected): Affected cars had been manufactured with damaged fuel lines, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and fire risks.

Most Common Equinox Complaints

A car doesn’t have to be recalled to have serious problems. If your Equinox has manufacturing defects that make it difficult or unsafe to drive, that’s a problem Chevrolet should address regardless of whether there’s a recall. Some of the most common complaints about these SUVs that may be grounds for a warranty repair include:

• Engine hesitation
• Electrical system glitches
• Faulty fuel lines and leaks
• Brake failures
• Auto stop/start errors

How to Tell If Your Chevy Equinox Is a Lemon

California warranty laws clearly define when a vehicle owner is eligible for repairs, and a recall isn’t necessary. All it takes for your vehicle to be eligible is that it meets these criteria:

• The car has a manufacturer defect that impacts its utility, value, or safety
• The car is still under warranty

If your SUV fulfills these requirements, your manufacturer must honor the warranty and make the repairs. Furthermore, if the defect appeared in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of lease or purchase, your vehicle could be considered a lemon.

Lemons are cars that a manufacturer is obligated to refund or replace due to significant and unfixable defects. You may be able to file a lemon claim if:

• Chevy has made two attempts to fix potential deadly problems or four attempts to fix non-lethal defects, and the problem has returned.
• Your Equinox has been in the shop for defect repairs for at least 30 days in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of ownership.

If that sounds familiar, you can read our Consumer’s Guide to Lemon Law to learn more about the basics of lemon claims. You can also take our quiz to see if you meet the qualifications.

Get Help from Experienced California Lemon Law Lawyers

California lemon laws may protect you from being stuck with a defective vehicle. If you think your Chevy Equinox is a lemon, the expert attorneys at Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys are available to hear your claim. We’ll work with you to identify whether you’re eligible for a lemon claim and help you choose the best path for your case. Schedule your free consultation today by calling 805-870-8732 or reaching out through this online form to resolve your problems with your SUV for good.