Wrench.Pro

2017 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Chevrolet Equinox has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield wiper motor failure.” 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.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox.

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield wiper motor failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2023-05

“Driving home in the rain. Windshield wiper stopped working randomly everything I read online is that there is no recall for my year of car but for 2013 and 2014 for windshield wiper transmission arm linkage”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522162
“This complaint is related to a letter I received from GM notifying me that there is the POTENTIAL for failure of the front windshield wipers due to failure of the wiper ball joints”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11515436
“The windshield wipers have abruptly stopped working numerous times within the past two years. When met with little resistance, such as normal precipitation, the motor stops working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

PCV valve freeze causing rear main seal failure

ENGINE

82 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2026-02

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11712109
“On 1/5/25, the rear main seal ruptured due to a known issue in the vehicle's PVC system, causing severe oil loss, potential catastrophic damage to the engine, loss of power, possible accident and/or injury”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11637807
“After looking at it they called me and said that the PCV had gotten clogged with ice, therefore causing pressure buildup and blowing out the rear main seal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499116

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption requiring engine replacement

ENGINE

52 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2026-05

“The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 5 quarts of oil for every 2,000 miles driven”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666024
“Per Mechanic my engine is burning through oil. When I went in for an oil change I was told I only had 1 quart left. I was informed this was a common issue with these engines at this time”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487920
“Excessive oil consumption. My car started burning oil even though I get frequent oil changes and now my engine is blown”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11448575

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag failure to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2026-01

“The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle collided with a deer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11712450
“Was in an accident, where my front bumper was hit going about 60 and air bags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569239
“At approximately 2123 hours, we came over a slight hill and hit a cow at 70 miles an hour on state Highway 95 between Academy, Texas and Temple, Texas. Our airbags did not deploy and my seatbelt malfunctioned as I hit my head on dash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11456097

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exhaust fumes entering the cabin

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2025-11

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the air condition activated, there was an abnormal exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11526982
“My 2017 Chevrolet Equinox has a cracked exhaust manifold which is causing fumes smell of gas and oil burning and the engine smoking profusely and inside the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566457
“Twice the exhaust has leaked into the cabin to the point where it is very noticeable. It causes headaches and breathing problems”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700629

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

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

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: 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)

138 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues 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 2017 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.

Check another vehicle →