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2015 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

426 reports with mileage · 253 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 250 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

679 reports
40,400 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX FROM RICK HENDRICKS CHEVY DULUTH. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WHILE DRIVING IT MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THERE MECHANICS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT …

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I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX FROM RICK HENDRICKS CHEVY DULUTH. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WHILE DRIVING IT MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THERE MECHANICS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IT WAS OK! THE EQUINOX IS KNOWN TO MAKE A LITTLE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN TO THERE SHOP OVER 3 TIMES FOR SEVERAL DAYS AT A TIME IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THEY EXPLAINED EVERYTHING THEY FIXED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NOISE WAS GONE AND THE BRAKES WERE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. WHEN I ASKED FOR PROOF THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE IT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE FOR ONE MINUTE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE MAKING ANY NOISE AT ALL LET ALONE NOISES WHEN YOU APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. I HAVE REITERATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO RICK HENDRICKS CHEVY DULUTH THAT THERE IS A BRAKE ISSUE GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DEADLY AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I TRY TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF DRIVING I DO TO IMPORTANT PLACES ONLY SEEING AS THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ODI #11005198

32,000 miles · Jul 11, 2017
Power TrainVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MATTHEWS CHEVROLET IN BUCYRUS, OH) AND STATED THAT THERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MATTHEWS CHEVROLET IN BUCYRUS, OH) AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #11004235

60,956 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DURING A DOWN POUR, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY NEXT TO A 18-WHERE TRUCK! I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL VISIBILITY AND WAS UNABLE TO SEE. THE WIPERS NEVER STARTED BACK UP AND I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT GM HAS A RECALL ON 2013 MODE…

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DURING A DOWN POUR, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY NEXT TO A 18-WHERE TRUCK! I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL VISIBILITY AND WAS UNABLE TO SEE. THE WIPERS NEVER STARTED BACK UP AND I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT GM HAS A RECALL ON 2013 MODEL (WIPERS/MOTOR) BUT NO OTHERS. THIS IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY USE THE SAME PART (MOTORS) FOR THE WIPERS IN OTHER MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11003292

32,476 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 (682) 214-2010) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY LEFT SOLENOID INTAKE. THE SOLENOID VALVE INTAKE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT GENERATED MULTIPLE CODES. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE ACTUAL FAILURE OR REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,476.

NHTSA ODI #11000187

15,500 miles · May 18, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE TAIL GAIT WINDOW EXPLODED FROM NO REASON. IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN SON AT WORK AND CRACKED INTO THOUSANDS OF LITTLE PIECES WITH A 2 FOOT BY 8 INCH SECTION EXPLODING AND LIVING A HOLE. MY DEALER, DALE EARNHARDT GMC TALLAHASSEE FL, REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SAYING IT IS NOT A GM PROBLEM. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND THERE ARE LOTS O…

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THE TAIL GAIT WINDOW EXPLODED FROM NO REASON. IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN SON AT WORK AND CRACKED INTO THOUSANDS OF LITTLE PIECES WITH A 2 FOOT BY 8 INCH SECTION EXPLODING AND LIVING A HOLE. MY DEALER, DALE EARNHARDT GMC TALLAHASSEE FL, REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SAYING IT IS NOT A GM PROBLEM. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER GMC AND OTHER MANUFACTURER MODELS. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN MY PARKING LOT AT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10986318

128,224 miles · May 5, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AS THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 90 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AS THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 90 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,224.

NHTSA ODI #10983724

10,000 miles · Apr 25, 2017
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #10980507

13,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER RIM WAS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT STATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE RENTAL COMPANY AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CONSUMER WAS AT FAULT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10959576

24,000 miles · Mar 1, 2017
SeatsUnknown Or Other

DESIGN FLAW BETWEEN THE PEDALS AND THE SEAT HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE SCIATIC PAIN. I HAD THE CAR JUST SHORT OF 2 YEARS BECAUSE I COULDN'T TAKE THE PAIN ANYMORE. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PEDALS BOTH VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ARE A PROBLEM. I ONLY RELATED THE PROBLEM TO THE CAR WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR A THREE WEEK PE…

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DESIGN FLAW BETWEEN THE PEDALS AND THE SEAT HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE SCIATIC PAIN. I HAD THE CAR JUST SHORT OF 2 YEARS BECAUSE I COULDN'T TAKE THE PAIN ANYMORE. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PEDALS BOTH VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ARE A PROBLEM. I ONLY RELATED THE PROBLEM TO THE CAR WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR A THREE WEEK PERIOD, MY PAIN WAS GONE. I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN AND THE PAIN RETURNED. I TESTED IT AGAIN, BY RENTING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE FOR A 5 DAY PERIOD AND THE PAIN WENT AWAY AGAIN AND A DAY AFTER RESUMING DRIVING MY EQUINOX THE PAIN RETURNED. I TRADED THE CAR IN THIS PAST WEEKEND (20170225) SO I COULD LIVE MY LIFE PAIN FREE.

NHTSA ODI #10957873

25,200 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

I HIT A DEER GOING AT LEAST 60 MILES AN HOUR. DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE ( APPROX. $8,000 IN DAMAGE) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPOLY BUT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT AND MESSAGE SAID THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED AND THERE WAS FOUL ODOR AS IF THEY HAD.

NHTSA ODI #10947522

Official recalls

2

22V165000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Mar 17, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.

15V666000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 16, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA19005 · Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

Opened Dec 13, 2019 · Closed Nov 28, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility/wiper; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Visibility

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

Visibility/wiper

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

RQ18002 · Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure

Opened Nov 2, 2018 · Closed Dec 19, 2019

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility/wiper; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Visibility

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

Visibility/wiper

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

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