6 Best And Worst Years For The Chevy Equinox

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Before you decide on buying a Chevy Equinox, you must know the best and worst years. Some models have various issues, and you will be left dealing with them throughout their lifespan.

This can cost you a lot of fortune and an unpleasant drive every time. Many people suggest that you look into articles like these to help make things easier for you.

With that being said, you might be wondering now what are the best and worst years and whether it is reliable or not?

It is said that this vehicle has a reliability rating of about 3.5 out of 5.0. This also stands at 23rd place out of 26 for compact SUVs.

Additionally, here are the best and worst years for Chevy Equinox.

Best Years for Chevy Equinox:

  1. 2008
  2. 2009
  3. 2011
  4. 2017
  5. 2018
  6. 2021

Worst Years for Chevy Equinox:

  1. 2005
  2. 2007
  3. 2013
  4. 2014
  5. 2015
  6. 2016

Now that you know the best and worst years keep reading to find out the reasons behind it. I will explain the features, reliability, and so much more in detail.

There will be a FAQs section so you can have a clear understanding of Chevy Equinox.

List Of The Best Years For The Chevy Equinox: What Years To Buy

Are there any issues with Chevy Equinox? To avoid getting the bad ones, which ones are most reliable

You must know why these are considered the best years first.

This way you will be able to make your decision quickly and easily.

These models are considered to be the best years because of the excellent performance experience the owners of these models had, reliability, and the amazing features that make them stand out more.

These models also have the best reliability ratings, and many people suggest. These models have fewer issues associated with their design or functionality.

With that being said, you can realize that these models are a must-have as they will be less problematic and would not cost you a lot of money for repairs.

Let’s get into the list of the best years that you should consider buying!

#1 Best Year: 2008 Chevy Equinox

Although this model had some issues in the past.

However, after some time, these problems were taken seriously, and a few changes were made, which made the 2008 Chevy Equinox one of the most liked vehicles out there.

This 2008 model of Chevy Equinox has a lot to offer and has outstanding features that make it a must-have for vehicles.

This model has a spacious and versatile cabin that makes the ride more comforting and safe.

To add on, you will be glad to know that this product has amazing crash test scores, so it is most certainly safe to drive in.

Furthermore, besides just the spacious cabin, this model also has one of the most powerful and efficient V6 engines.

Another great thing about this model is that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that the frontal barrier crash rating and the side barrier rating are 5 out of 5, and the rollover rating is 4 out of 5.

This makes the vehicle more reliable and prudent. Other than that, you might face some minor issues with this product, but there is nothing to worry about as they can be fixed quickly.

#2 Best Year: 2009 Chevy Equinox

Compared to its competitors, the 2009 Chevy Equinox is one of the best and most reliable models out there.

You might be wondering what makes it so special. Various owners applauded the outstanding and powerful V6 engines and other options this vehicle had to offer.

You will be happy to know that this model also has a spacious and satisfying interior for passengers but also extra space for the cargo area so you and your family can travel comfortably.

Moving on, according to the site cars.usnews.com, the overall rating for this 2009 model of Chevy Equinox is 8.9 out of 10.

It is also rated 5 out of 5 for reliability according to the data provided by J.D. Power.

You will also be happy to know that this model has been ranked at number 3 for the 2009 Affordable Compact SUV award.

This vehicle is not only reliable but barely has any issues with the design or functionality. And you can find this model for under $10,000 up to $15,000 easily.

#3 Best Year: 2011 Chevy Equinox

Coming to the 2011 Chevy Equinox model, it is stated that this model has the highest combined crash test results and rating of all time for the class and excellent fuel economy.

You will also be glad to know this model has two powerful engines that make the vehicle’s performance smooth and reliable.

Other than that, this model also has great handling, so you can drive comfortably without the vehicle failing at all.

Besides all that, this vehicle is also quite affordable as it has been ranked at number 11 for the 2011 Affordable Compact SUV.

You can easily purchase this vehicle from about $8000 to about $14,700. However, that will mainly depend on the condition, the mileage it can reach, and the features of this model.

#4 Best Year: 2017 Chevy Equinox

The 2017 Chevy Equinox is considered the best model for big families.

This is because this model has been designed to have a spacious cabin and a cargo area so your family can travel comfortably and safely.

Speaking of safety, this model has been rated about 9.3 out of 10 for safety alone.

This just makes this vehicle stand out even more. You will also be happy with the features of this product as it has a lot to offer.

Coming to the features, this 2017 model has an automatic climate control feature, a powerful and safe sunroof, and outstanding V6 powerful engines.

To add on, this model has two engines that are backed by a six-speed automatic, which are available for the front or all-wheel drive so you can have the best experience.

#5 Best Year: 2018 Chevy Equinox

This new amazing 2018 Chevy Equinox model has everything you desire in a vehicle. This model is also considered the most reliable vehicle compared to other years.

The great thing about this model is that it has many safety and convenience features that make it most reliable and loved by many owners.

The great features include the low-speed forward automatic braking, rear vision camera, side blind zone alert, forward collision alert, and lane keep assist, including the lane departure warning feature.

With all of these outstanding features, you will feel safe and comfortable every time you go for a ride. This model has an excellent fuel economy with a 1.6 L Turbo-Diesel engine.

You will have the best experience as it will not compromise power like other models out there.

#6 Best Year: 2021 Chevy Equinox

Coming to the 2021 Chevy Equinox, this model is certainly a must-have.

According to J.D. Power, you will be surprised to know that this 2021 model has a reliability rating of 87 out of 100. This is considered to be the highest rating for a compact SUV.

This model is also considered to have absolutely the best quality, and you can most certainly depend on this vehicle at all costs.

It has been reported that the owners of this vehicle had the best experience since it barely has any issues reported at all.

The great feature of this model is the fuel economy that will not run out quickly at all, the 1.5 L turbo engine that provides efficient performance, the six state-of-the-art safety systems, and the affordable price starting from $23,000.

List Of The Worst Years For The Chevy Equinox: What Years To Avoid

Before starting with the worst years, you need to know why these are considered the worst.

These models have been considered to have the worst issues associated with their design, functionality, and so much more.

You should avoid them at all costs because most of their problems can cost you a lot of your money for replacing or repairs.

People who had these models, had a troubling experience and mentioned that these models are unreliable or safe.

Besides that, many submitted reports had the worst ratings for all of these models.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also suggested that it is best to avoid them because they can cause hazardous situations on the road, life-threatening for you and people around you.

With that being said, let’s get into the list of the worst years for Chevy Equinox that you should avoid!

#1 Worst Year: 2005 Chevy Equinox

Starting with this first generation 2005 Chevy Equinox model, this vehicle had numerous issues that made people have a horrible experience.

This vehicle’s main issues are transmission failure, air conditioning system malfunctioning, frontal control arm bushing, gas cap issues, and the EVAP vent valve solenoid malfunctioning. These problems are not something to be taken lightly.

Fixing the transmission or even replacing it can cost you a lot of money since it is one of the most valuable components in your vehicle.

The main issue is that if one of these starts to malfunction, it can hurt other parts of your vehicle. Even after firing the issue, there are fewer chances that it will not happen again.

You will be stuck with the problems and end up paying a lot just to fix them. This is why it is best to avoid this model.

#2 Worst Year: 2007 Chevy Equinox

This 2007 Chevy Equinox model also had several issues that made people have a disturbing experience.

The main issue the 2007 model has is the faulty ignition and the fuel pump failure. This can cost a lot of money for repairs.

Another common issue that was reported was the passenger airbag sensor malfunctioning. These issues were why this vehicle had been recalled about four times.

This model also has issues with the Gas Cap as it keeps on failing, the key getting stuck in the ignition and the torque converter that will not lock at all.

Other than that, this vehicle has transmission issues as well. The fluid will start to leak, some even had issues with gear ratios and more.

#3 Worst Year: 2013 Chevy Equinox

Various issues were reported about the 2013 Chevy Equinox model, the worst thing is that most of the issues with this vehicle start at low mileage.

The main problem with this model is with the engine failing to function properly. The engine either stalls or fails. Some even said that there is excessive oil consumption in this vehicle.

With these issues, you will be paying a higher repair cost, and the average repair cost starts from about $800.

Moreover, you will also be surprised to know that about 111 complaints were reported about the oil consumption, and the repair cost is about $3000.

As for the engine failure, there were about 15 complaints reported, and the repair cost starts from $3500. This can be a lot to handle, so it is best to avoid this model.

#4 Worst Year: 2014 Chevy Equinox

The main issues consumers reported for the 2014 Chevy Equinox model are excessive oil consumption, rattling on startup, rear main seal, and engine problems.

This model has about 578 complaints from disappointed users.

According to the carcomplaints.com site, the oil consumption issue starts when the vehicle reaches about 103,000 miles and can cost about $3,300 to repair.

The rattling issue starts early when the vehicle reaches about 42,000 miles, and the repairing cost is about $8100.

Lastly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the engine problem has about 138 complaints.

With this engine issue, the vehicle also starts to have various other issues that can lead to bigger problems and cost a lot of money to fix.

#5 Worst Year: 2015 Chevy Equinox

The 2015 Chevy Equinox is considered one of the most problematic models because of numerous issues that can lead to hazardous situations.

The main problem with this vehicle is the excessive oil consumption, mainly caused by the poor piston rings that tend to leak easily.

Another serious issue is the carbon building up inside the engine, leading to oil burning. This can also lead to ruining the engine’s head and valves.

Other than that, this 2015 model also has oil leakage issues that can affect the driving mileage.

And lastly, this model also had transmission problems that were reported. It tends to jerk, slip and even shudder a lot. It is best to avoid this vehicle at all costs.

#6 Worst Year: 2016 Chevy Equinox

Another worst model of the Chevy Equinox is this 2016 model.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), numerous complaints have been submitted by angry and disappointed users. It has about 61 complaints.

The main issues that people face are engine problems. Various people said they tend to smell gasoline and smoke coming out of their engines.

There were reported issues with the fuel pump failure and most commonly excessive oil consumption, exhaust system failure, and drivetrain problems.

This vehicle also had problems with the exterior accessories and had about 57 complaints reported to the NHTSA.

It has been recalled multiple times due to these issues, so it is best not to purchase it.

What Are The Most Common Problems With The Chevy Equinox?

This information is valuable for you as it will help you have a clear understanding. These issues are not to be taken lightly since they can lead to bigger issues.

I said that because these common issues can affect other parts of the vehicle, which leads to the vehicle not performing well at all.

Other than that, it can also cost you a lot of money to get these problems fixed, but sometimes people have to pay a lot of money to replace certain parts and still end up facing the same issues again.

So here are the most common problems below:

1. Excessive Oil Consumption

This is one of the most common problems that you will find in the Chevy Equinox, especially in 2014 up to 2016 models.

This problem was considered bad because users were changing oil more than three times, which is not normal.

This problem can also damage the performance of this engine and will cost about $3000 or more just to repair and a lot more for replacing.

2. Transmission Problems

This is yet another common problem that you will face in the Chevy Equinox. It is said that the transmission of the Chevy Equinox is not the most reliable at all.

I have discussed earlier that you will see these issues in all the worst years of the Chevy Equinox. This issue mostly occurs when the vehicle reaches about 50,000 miles or so.

This problem is so bad that many owners were left with no option but to replace the transmission since if they did not, it could ruin other parts of the vehicle.

Related: Chevy Equinox Transmission Problems

3. Electrical Problems

Another common problem with the Chevy Equinox is the electrical issues found in various vehicle parts. Numerous problems faced this issue on the road while driving in the nighttime.

It is stated that the lights of the vehicle will either not turn on at all or they will turn on unnecessarily and unexpectedly.

The wires also tend to malfunction, which leads to smoke and fire starting in the vehicle. This can lead to serious accidents and can cost a lot for repairs.

Related: Why Won’t My Chevy Equinox Start?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Chevy Equinox A Reliable Car?

Yes, the Chevy Equinox is a reliable car. According to the data provided by the car.usnews.com site, the rating for Chevy Equinox is 3.5 out of 5 for reliability.

This vehicle is also considered one of the most comfortable and safe because of its spacious cabin.

Other than that, according to J.D., Power has a reliability rating of 91 out of 100 for one of the Chevy Equinox models.

This is the highest rating given to a Compact SUV, which matters greatly.

Q2. What Are The Cons Of A Chevy Equinox?

The most common issues that you will find in the Chevy Equinox are transmission failure, engine problems, high gas, oil consumption, and faulty safety features.

These issues were mostly found in 2005 and 2016 models for Chevy Equinox.

They had an average of 550 and more complaints reported on each model to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Q3. What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Chevy Equinox?

It is stated that the Chevy Equinox can last a lot longer compared to its competitors.

The life expectancy of a Chevy Equinox is about 150,000 miles up to 200,000 miles. It is lower for newer models, about 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles.

Q4. Is The Chevy Equinox A Good SUV?

Yes, the Chevy Equinox is a good SUV. The quality and the reliability of this vehicle are rated to be 85 out of 100.

The interior of this vehicle is also designed to be spacious and safe. This vehicle also offers the latest infotainment as well as safety technology.

Q5. Which Is Better: Chevy Equinox Or Ford Escape?

The main difference between the Chevy Equinox and the Ford Escape is that Equinox is larger than the Escape vehicle. It also has comparable head and legroom whereas.

The Escape has slightly more head as well as legroom. Other than that, the Chevy Equinox also beats the Ford Escape by the price as it is more affordable.

Conclusion

Now that you know the best and worst years for Chevy Equinox, you can easily decide which model you should spend your money on.

I would highly recommend the 2008 or the 2009 Chevy Equinox since they have few issues.

Nonetheless, make sure to avoid the worst years models if you do not want to have a bad experience driving them or get stuck with their issues and repair them.