RoadVitals

2021 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Jul 5, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 88 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2026

The electronic brake control module causes the car to no start and goes into limp mode. Cuts off the power to every system in the entire dashboard including the transmission making the car very dangerous to drive.

NHTSA ID
11748322
Incident
Jul 4, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jun 16, 2026

I have no sound at all no turn signals, no seat belt no nothing, had Chevy in leesburg tell me I need an update did that and being told to replace radio and amplifier

NHTSA ID
11744599
Incident
Jun 12, 2026
Electrical
Filed Sep 25, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 72,170, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 206,352.

NHTSA ID
11689703
Incident
Sep 25, 2025
Mileage
206,352 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2025

My audio quit, no sound for warning indicator, no radio audio, or onstar audio. Can't here anyone speaking when using phone, though the receiving party can her me speak to them.

NHTSA ID
11684892
Incident
Jul 14, 2025
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the liftgate independently opened. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred while driving at certain locations. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a radio frequency failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11682310
Incident
Aug 22, 2024
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 23, 2025

I was driving my vehicle and went to make a left turn out of a parking lot into traffic and my engine shut off and my car rolled into traffic and the check engine light turned on. All of the other functions in the car stayed on i.e. radio, air and all the lights. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic the mechanic was unable to diagnose my car so it was then brought to a chevy dealership. The dealership stated my car worked fine with no issues and tried to return the vehicle back to me I insisted they keep testing the vehicle. They drove the vehicle around the parking lot again in circles and the cars engine shut off and is unable to be turned back on. GM and CHEVY are stating they have no idea why this is happening. I am very concerned about this considering they tried to return the vehicle to me stating their were no issues and ignoring my concerns at first, I had to insist that they keep checking the vehicle and now it will not even turn on.

NHTSA ID
11668584
Incident
Jun 17, 2025
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the horn was intermittently inoperable while driving. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, causing the horn to become permanently inoperable. Additionally, the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11625481
Incident
Jul 15, 2024
Mileage
55,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 6, 2024

When purchase vehicle there was only 9,567 miles on it . I had the car for 1 year when lane changing warning and front camera went out. Also effected my car started. Dont know when it was first purchase and they say warranty is up. It could of been the end of 2024 but they say 1/2024.. Miles is under 36000 and the end of 2024 is 3year. My bill they stat is over 1500. I can afford it in this economy. And chevy should honor the bumper to bumper warranty. Im disappointed in Chevy, that there electronics go in less then 3 years. I hope that chevy for a large corporation will make this right. Cause right now im not happy with chevy vehicle [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11623800
Incident
Nov 6, 2024
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 30, 2024

Water leaks into the rear of the vehicle from The shark fin (I am told from the dealership GM I purchased the car from). It has however now entered into the fuse box and is getting fuses wet which IS a safety issue if they were to short while driving in a rainstorm. This is a major issue with multiple reports online on forums and complaint boards.

NHTSA ID
11611812
Incident
Jul 28, 2024
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jul 10, 2024

I purchased this vehicle 3 months ago and it had a terrible smell and still does. When I got the car home I started cleaning and seen mold under the weather mats. 1 month after purchase the sun roof and sun shade stopped working. The smell got worse and I noticed every time it rains the floor is soaking wet. Massive amounts of water is draining into the car from the rear seats causing black mold. After doing research this is a known issue with this vehicle. Terrible.

NHTSA ID
11601034
Incident
Jul 10, 2024
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2024

Computer system failed on multiple occasions since we purchased the vehicle NEW. The first time, the entire touch screen display went black and could not control the climate or radio, second time the touch screen display was not showing that it was not attached to the GPS, no time or weather readings, and the instrument panel had no readings (such as oil/speed, etc). The dealership reset the car's computer and we continue to see "the SD card has been removed" on the panel (the SD card has NOT been removed). Any actions taken by the dealership has not fixed this ongoing problem.

NHTSA ID
11570610
Incident
Feb 28, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 3, 2023

When starting the vechile most times the radio will turn on at 75% its max volume. On occassion this will keep the backup camera on and lose all ability to control the infotainment center on the vechile. I also turn my raidio off before I exit the vechile. This occurs when bluetooth connected phone is in car and not in the car. The only fix that has been told to me via the service department is to turn off the vechile and open the drivers door. Cheverlot knows about this issues, which affects more than the 21 equinox, they have not made any effort to correct the issues.

NHTSA ID
11536337
Incident
Jun 30, 2021
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2023

On 2/18/23 our equinox failed to go into park. We couldn’t shut the car off, nor start it back up. Everything electrical was on basically idle mode. ESC - brake control module came across the dash. The dash also kept saying to put the car in park. It wouldn’t go into park. We called for a tow truck to have it taken back to the dealership. When it was taken to the dealership the car was ON. It still wouldn’t shut off. As of 2/21/23 they want $550 for a diagnostics and a dead battery. Of course my battery would die after 2 days of sitting and being on. This is a major safety issue with GM and chevy vehicles. We have 48,653 miles so we’re out of warranty. The dealership didn’t bother to call and ask what happened nor want to listen to what occurred.

NHTSA ID
11508853
Incident
Feb 18, 2023
Electrical
Filed Feb 12, 2022

power locks with not lock or unlock with key fob or door buttons, doors will only look with the door buttons after exceeding 60+mph

NHTSA ID
11451627
Incident
Feb 12, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 21, 2022

I take my 6yr to school when we got shocked, I thought it was my clothes, but my child got shocked also, then pick her up from school took her to the doctor for her foot, I merged out to the main road and the SUV cut off no warning lights of any kind I got it back started after three attempts then about a minute after that the radio cut off , I made it back home and called the dealer they told me to call roadside, I spoke to them , I had my husband to follow me to the dealership, I dropped it of ,they called me and told me it ready for pick up, and told me they could not replicate it ,

NHTSA ID
11448338
Incident
Dec 29, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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