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2014 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering motor. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive engine oil consumption.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Campaign #22V165000 · Mar 17, 2022

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox.

Reported to NHTSA

Excessive engine oil consumption

ENGINE

56 NHTSA complaints · 2021-04 → 2026-08

“Oil consumption issue with no warning and no indicator lights. I get regular oil changes and was never told I was ever low on oil. Engine was running with no oil and cause pistons to misfire and vehicle began stalling with my young children in the vehicle. Piston damage has”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11570815
“There are several 2010-2014 Equinox that are having same problem. The oil smells like gas, and it burns through 4 quarts of oil before I hit 3,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677584
“My 2014 Equinox is going through engine oil so frequently. I have to put at least a quart in every time I fuel up. My oil light that indicates when I am low on oil never comes on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444999

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain failure causing loss of motive power

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

23 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2026-06

“I was driving in busy traffic with no warning signs, no check engine lights when all of a sudden my engine lost power an would not restart. I had to get a tow from Kentucky to Michigan to a near by Mechanic where he ran a boroscope. The timing chain failed which then valves hit”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11632358
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound and lost motive power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the roadway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542924
“On October 3rd 2021 I had changed the oil on my car as normal maintenance. On October 30th I had the oil checked again as preventative maintenance since my war was acting up. On November 1, 2021 My car would not start”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492659

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

PCV valve blockage causing rear main seal oil leak

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

24 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2025-02

“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH in cold weather, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the work garage, where the contact noticed that a significant amount of oil had”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11636263
“The dealer service that repaired the vehicle said the positive crank ventilation system (PCV) froze up and there was no where for the pressure to go so it blew out the rear seal. General Motors knows about the problem because they sent out a service bulletin No. 14882”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11510662
“My rear main seal blew out and leaked all my oil out of my engine, due to my PCV being clogged or frozen, causing it to lose power and knock really loud. There was no warning light for the pressure build up or for low oil until it blew out the seal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506013

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper module failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

47 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2025-11

“On September 12 I was nearly killed due to a windshield wiper malfunction that was unfixed due to a parts shortage. The wiper motor failed in a downpour while I drove on the Interstate surrounded by sem trucks”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492377
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving in the rain the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact crashed into a tree. There were no reported injuries or fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466037
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph in the rain with the front windshield wipers activated, the driver’s and passenger’s side wipers suddenly stopped operating causing a visibility hazard to the driver”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11418268

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag warning light and module fault

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2023-04

“A service airbag indicator light appeared on my 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle has under 100k miles and was never involved in an accident. I brought the vehicle into a Chevrolet service center and they advised that the passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of an”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469315
“The front passenger airbag light beeps even when there is no passenger. The airbag light is now off and shows there is no operable airbag. My vehicle was checked a month ago with no issues but this appears to be ongoing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493044
“Warning light is coming on that there is a airbag malfunction and thr airbag needs to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11516057

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

137 crashes 1990–2024

How the 137 occupant deaths break down

98

driver deaths

37

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

137

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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