Exterior Lighting Problems of Chevrolet Equinox - part 1

There are two issues with the headlights as it relates to the instrument panel and controls. First, the symbol on the instrument panel is the same for both headlights and running lights. This means at dusk, I cannot know whether my auto-headlights have turned or if I need to override the auto-feature to turn them on manually. Second, the headlight controls are buried in a menu, hidden behind the steering wheel. The "quick menu" is inconvenient, but the fact that it is hidden bedding the steering wheel means that I have to lean forward and around to fiddle with it, which has led to me drifting into another lane as I am distracted. From the driver's perspective, the "quick menus" are all hidden behind the wheel, and the control panel is just far enough out of reach that the driver must adjust and lean forward to reach for any controls not on the steering column.

See all problems of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The illuminated dashboard, center control console, and headlights suddenly turned off while the vehicle was in motion during a dark night. The blackout lasted approximately 10 seconds and I was unable to see to keep the vehicle on the roadway. After running onto the unpaved shoulder, I was able to fully stop the vehicle without hitting anything. All of the lights came back on and the dashboard showed a message that said "auto shutoff". Then everything returned to normal. This problem hasn't been reported to the dealer yet, but will be discussed during an upcoming service to correct one of the other problems that keep occurring with this vehicle.

Light from recessed led headlights becomes obscured by packed snow when traveling in a snowstorm. Led lamp does not emit enough heat to keep clear. Loss of light is gradual and can reach an unsafe level almost without notice.

In the Equinox lt, VIN [xxx] , the telemetry module has an issue per the dealership. The vehicle loses power due to the telemetry module issue. The part is on order and as of January 16, 2026. It will take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. In the mean time I have had to call roadside assistance twice in two weeks, and the vehicle has been jumped 3 times in the past two weeks. However, the vehicle has been to the dealership 4 times. Once prior to the diagnosis, and three times since the diagnosis. The vehicle has approximately 16, 600 miles, and is driven to and from work. The telemetry module is the cause of the over all issue, per the dealership. The battery continues to go dead on vehicle [xxx] , 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving in snowy conditions the headlights become packed with snow and slush. Lights become dim and I’ve had to pull over in unsafe conditions to clear them.

The headlights are recessed. When driving in the snow they catch the snow and block the light from coming out. I was driving home last night in a snow storm and couldn’t see very far ahead of me because my headlights were packed full of snow. The led lights don’t produce heat to melt the snow, and there’s nowhere for the snow to fall out from so the snow and road grime just keeps getting packed into the recessed light. Very poor design.

When attempting to engage the left turn signal, the lever has to be pushed down several times to "catch or engage" and stay engaged. Frequently it won't stay engaged and turns off before the turn is completed. (the right turn signal works properly). This happens 8 out of 10 times on a consistent basis. The dealer shop supervisor and tech test drove it as well as another brand new lot vehicle and both did the same thing. They said that that's what they all do, and I should push down more firmly, which doesn't help. I'm in my late [xxx] , have driven new gm vehicles for decades and know how to use a turn signal. I have been in the middle of lh turns and the turn signal was not flashing to advise other drivers of my intent to turn. I believe that this is a significant and dangerous safety issue. I bought the vehicle new a little over a year ago and it currently has about 2500 miles on it. I am not sure when this started happening, but I started to notice it at about 1700 miles, 6 months ago when I started driving it regularly in place of my 2024 Chevrolet 1500 pickup. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

There is a button on the top of the steering wheel that puts the car in low gear. We have been going down the interstate twice and my husband accidentally hit the button slowing down the car immediately. This is very dangerous and could cause a rear end collision. We have reported it to Chevrolet several times, to the service department twice and the corporation also. Low gear has normally been on the gear shift with all the other gears, but for some reason, they put it on the top left side of the steering wheel. That is a very strange place to have that since the steering wheel also has buttons for cruise control, bluetooth, stereo, etc. We think this button needs to be disengaged and put else where, but Chevrolet offered us $150 for the inconvenience. We are not concerned with convenience, but with safety. Also, the vertical buttons on the dash below the navigation screen are not visible during the day. At night, when it is dark, the light illuminate the buttons so they can be seen, but they are not visible during the day. However, you do need to be able to see the buttons. My husband used a label maker to put the names on the buttons just to prevent a wreck, but Chevrolet needs to address the issue. We have mentioned this to the service department and corporate office, but they do no seem to be concerned. We consider both items to be an issue that needs to be corrected, but no one seems to care. Hope you can help get these items addressed before something serious happens. If you nee to contact us, our names are [xxx] and [xxx] , [xxx] . Email [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On August 3rd, while driving on the freeway at 55mph, my vehicle's brakes became extremely stiff, and I could not press them down to engage the braking system. I was about to collide with the vehicle in front of me, so I quickly veered right without looking because I had no time. After moving to the right, the brakes finally slowed the vehicle to around 40mph. Luckily, the traffic light turned green, allowing me to continue moving with the remaining momentum. As I attempted to take a turn on a bridge above the freeway, the steering wheel became stiff. At this point, I was unsure whether I could turn the car at that speed with the steering not responding. I need general motors and Chevrolet to take action on the severity of the situation and make the necessary and appropriate restitution to me for the traumatic and physical injuries sustained during the incident. For the amount of time I've been without a vehicle, I am now running high risk of loosing my job. $3,700. Is what they are charging me, which is conveniently not under warranty. When consistently stating that no one really sure what's covered and what's not covered.

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Chevy eqev 2025 lease it in may 2025 2. 7k miles with all of these error codes: ece - electrification control processor p1e00 vic - vehicle integration control u2220 vic - vehicle integration control u2221 vic - vehicle integration control u2222 vic - vehicle integration control u2223 vic - vehicle integration control u2224 vic - vehicle integration control u2225 vic - vehicle integration control u2226 vic - vehicle integration control u2227 vic - vehicle integration control u2228 vic - vehicle integration control u2229 this was on Friday 08/01/2025 for the above message today Sunday 08/03/2025 the dealership couldn’t get it right, so I drove it to work. Now, it won’t even start, and the battery was only at 73%. I can’t help but imagine my car stopping in the middle of the road. I would have died. My high-voltage battery isn’t even being recognized by the system. This is a highly safety hazard. If this happens on the highway, I would have been killed. Something is wrong with a less than 3 month old car.

When activating the blinker to make a right turn, after completing the turn the blinker turns off, but the force causes the lever to drop far enough that the left blinker activates. Since I've had the vehicle (about 8 months total), I notice this happen more than half the time I use the right blinker. From a quick google search, this seems like a common problem which may lead to confusion when driving. The dealership I went to doesn't seem to have a fix for it.

Center screen went black and is completely inoperational. Cannot utilize any center screen functions including headlights and rear backup camera. Took vehicle to dealer and they diagnosed as a bad display control unit, which is on backorder.

Intellibeam feature is not dimming the lights when oncoming vehicles are present or there are vehicles in front of me. This has happened twice now in cold weather only (late November/early December) in michigan. Also, they do not dim while driving when it's snowing. I have tried to disengage the feature using the button on the left stalk on the steering wheel but the button doesn't seem to turn the feature on or off. This issue could be affecting other drivers as the high beam lights are on as they pass or travel in front of me. Eventually the feature seems to work properly once the vehicle has been driven for 15-20 minutes.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Intella beam system turns off while driving. Radio and lights won't shut off when car is turned off. Crash detection comes on when nothing is in front of you. Dash is blank when starting the vehicle. On star not connecting and then won't turn off.

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

After I engage the right turn signal and complete a right turn, it occasionally bounces the turn signal back too hard and then the "soft" (not fully clicked in) and lights up my left signal about three times. This has happened multiple times since we leased it in early September.

The dashboard glare is very noticeable and makes it difficult to see out of. After the right turn signal disengages it will sometimes initiate the left turn signal for 3 clicks. Both are saftey flaws.

My front collision alert system has stopped working, I have taken it to multiple dealerships within my certified vehicle company. Next, my automatic high beams do not function at all, which is difficult to navigate at night without them. I have tried to update my vehicle and sent it to other dealerships and they cannot figure out what is wrong. And lastly, my lane assistance system is not working either, every time I have tried to reset, nothing has happened. Due to all of these functions not working the automatic high beams, I have had to be extra careful when driving at night. The lane assist system not functioning at all has made driving in compact roadways more difficult. Lastly the front collision alert system not working at all has caused many incidents that could have led to multiple accidents. I have talked to customer service agents, mechanics, and car managers from dealerships and they can't figure it out either. Please help!.

See all problems of the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Headlight aim is too high, blinding oncoming drivers. Dealer says that the headlight aim on this vehicle is not adjustable. When I am driving at night oncoming drivers are constantly flashing their lights at me, but my lights are on low beam.

Premature headlamp (low beam) failure. The light abruptly failed and it was acknowledged by the manufacturer that this should not have occurred. The failure occurred in October of 2023. Light fixture has since been replaced. The low beam bulb is not accessible for replacement in our vehicle. Instead the entire headlight assembly has to be replaced. The estimated cost for a single replacement was approx $2,600. 00. After back and forth with the manufacturer they agreed to replace both headlight assemblies for approximately $1,900. 00. A previous recall was issued for gm vehicles in the early 2000s that had similar premature headlight failures. This poses a safety risk because vehicles of this age are likely to still be financed and owners are unlikely to be able to afford a near $3,000 repair for a low beam headlight manufacturing defect. Please note the mileage on the vehicle was roughly 42k. There is the potential that owners will be forced to operate the vehicle with failed headlight(s) while the manufacturer refuses to fully acknowledge it is a manufacturing defect.

Started off with my computer on my dashboard randomly turning off I called the dealership they told me it was because I was not using an iphone apple chord. Another instance I was driving down the road close to home and my car started stalling and flashing engine codes on my dashboard, I managed to make it home and park. The next day I tried to start my vehicle and it sounded like the battery was dead. I called a tow truck. The car had enough power for me to put it into neutral and get it onto the flatbed. My mechanic is less than 10 minutes away by the time they got it there they couldn’t do anything to move the vehicle. It had to be jacked up on the flatbed and rolled off because the car would not do anything my mechanic spent two weeks going through the computer system only to find out that I needed a software update and that my computer software had major glitches and electrical issues. Sometimes when I get into my vehicle to start it, it won’t start. I’ve learned that I need to put both feet on the brake. Push it all the way to the floor wait a second and then it will start otherwise my break seizes up and I’m locked out of my vehicle for at least an hour. This has happened to me on the side of highways in public parking lots in front of my home at the grocery stor. This past week I’ve had to get my car jumped 2 different times because when I turn my car off and lock it, my brake lights do not turn off and it killed my battery. I’ve had nothing but issues with the computer since day one from what I’ve googled this is a known issue with my make and model of vehicle. I contacted the dealership and they want to charge me thousands of dollars for something that was a factory defect.

Vehicle intermittent brake catches, lights come sometimes, door locks open and close, engine light comes on and last time system locked completely and could get vehicle into gear. Had to have it towed. Second time into dealer service, now on 4th week and gm factory unable to determine problem and solution.

The ambient light sensor is very sensitive. There can be full sunlight, but if I go in the shadow of a truck or a tree, the sensor dims the dashboard lighting. If I go under any sort of bridge, no matter how short, the dash goes dark. Sometimes it takes over 10 minutes for it to go back to normal. The ambient light sensor should be facing straight up at the sky. Also, the sensor should be connected to the vehicles gps and the clock for the time of day. I rely on the info center on the dash for the gps and other items. If I cannot see the info center, it can lead to a collision. I have brought my vehicle to the dealer and they refuse to do anything. Also, during the day, I use prescription sunglasses while driving, so it makes it really difficult. Thank you.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

We purchased the car with an option package the specifically included fog lights. Because of local weather conditions and reduced driving related to the pandemic, we never had the need to use the fog lights. Recently, we were driving in the finger lake region of new york at night when fog started to form. That's when we realized the car was built with no fog light switch. Since returning home, I checked another car like it in the neighborhood. It too was built with fog lights and no fog light switch. I checked with gm and they indicated that there should be a specific control button to turn the fog lights on and off. It would be nice to be able to use the equipped fog lights when driving conditions include fog.

After being in a severe accident w/ another 2018 Equinox I purchased a used 2018 Equinox w/ 10k miles on it . Saved my life 1x - I was happy with the car. In Dec 2019 my front passenger headlight went out. Still under warranty I had the dealer replace the bulb. In late December 2020 my front passenger headlight went out again. I was told it was over $400 to fix. This was "replacing the lightbulb". I decided to purchase my own lightbulb from a reputable source. The problem is not the lightbulb but instead the ballast or the wiring. I have never had to replace a lightbulb in any of my cars before let alone 2 in two years. Chevy told me that I was out of luck because I was 2 weeks after the bulb under warranty was replaced. . . Really? so now I am without a front headlight and not willing to pay to have this repaired since it is obviously a manufacturers defect. Chevy has not been helpful and neither has my local dealership. My safety is being put at risk because I can not see 1/2 of the road with 1 headlight. Cars can only see 1/2 of my car oncoming. There have been no warning lights etc.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

My vehicle won't start due to cpu and electrical malfunctioning and my loan warranty wouldn't cover the damages and I only had the car for 3 months mileage is under 105000. My negative terminal cable pops off my vehicle shuts down randomly, check engine light cuts on when I hit 3 rpms.

See all problems of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that there was water intrusion in the right-side tail lamp. The contact was made aware of TSB 22-na-170 and related it to failures with her battery and tail lamp. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Battery was draining within the first year. Replaced it and happened again within a few months. Couldn't find the problem. Consistently needed to charge and boost the battery. Left me stuck with my kids in the car several times. Lights on dash kept going on and off going black & back on. Different lights kept coming on like service airbag, stability track, engine light, etc. Giving false readings, finally whole middle console went black, heater turned on and would not go off, could not access temp control, radio, bluetooth, etc. Battery and power was the main issue. Electrical problems. Started in may of 2018, my lease recently expired and here I am sitting at the dealer 05/27/2020 finally having them trying to get to the bottom of these problems throughout my 3 year lease.

See all problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Digital speed won't light up. No light driving or still m.

See all problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Its a ticking noise when started up then lights from the dash board to the head lights, flicks off and on and the horn goes out at the same time. When driving the idle dont seem to pick up speed the transmission seems to has problem it make this horrible loud noise and the car do seem to drive right. The cv joint is going bad for the 5 time and the bars the wheels make this loud noise I only had this car for 5 yrs (chevy Equinox 2010) and most I had to replace, now its going bad again. The transmission is the big problem now I have to replace again I might as well get an whole new car.

The block pcv valve is leaking and has over powering bad fumes are coming inside of my car and smoke detection and oil spots in my garage.

See all problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The navigation screen is way too bright at night, making driving difficult and distracting. When the car is started at night the brightness is normal but after using reverse it brightens to daytime level and cannot be changed without dimming the dashboard lights considerably. Many other 2018 Equinox owners have reported the same problem on various web forums.

The second day after purchasing my vehicle as I was driving down a city street, accelerating, the car started to fill up with gas fumes!.

Purchased vehicle approximately June 29, 2019 from chevy dealer in roseville CA. About 3 months after I purchased vehicle I noticed the liftgate coming down by itself. I notified the dealer and set up an appointment to bring vehicle in. In the meantime the check engine light started coming on and staying on, so when I made the appointment I also mentioned this to the service agent. I took the vehicle in , as a drop in appointment because I stay over an hour away from where the vehicle was purchased. I;d happened to be in the area on this day, the vehicle was checked in and the service agent helping me asked could I leave the vehicle I at this time replied no, because of how far we'd traveled to get there I did not have a way home. I'd stated to him at this time when I'd brought the vehicle in before for service that I was provided a courtesy vehicle, he said that would not be possible and that I could rent a vehicle, I declined. The agent came outside to witness the liftgate going down on it's own and again asked if I wanted to leave the vehicle,I again stated to him I drove over 1 hour and I did not have a way to get home. He at this time stated he had 300 vehicles ahead of mine and it would take him some time to get to my vehicle. He was very rude and unprofessional while helping me. I asked to speak to his supervisor which I did and he also witnessed the liftgate going down on its own, we in turn went inside to check the warranty and extended warranty I had on the vehicle, however, I was told it had expired the prior month and did not cover them checking to see why the check engine light was coming on. I believe the dealership sold me an unsafe vehicle and they refuse to try to work something out. Recently, as I was in the rear of the parked vehicle the liftgate came down on my shoulder which required me to seek medical attention.

Today 08/9/2019 my wife showed me where she saw smoke coming from under the glove box it did melt the plastic cover,no one will help me with lift gate goes up 1/4 way down,up the all the way down have gotten it 3 times in the head I have told catalano motors about it when I bought it never got fixed. Rear window on pass side never worked and light don't go on when you open rear door,manual transmission never worked,no offence but I would rather have my 75 delta 88 I'm just not pleased with the vehicles. Miss having my 97 f150 thank you for your time,also the lift gate would go up and down by itself with keys in my hand I really wish I could afford to get new or diff kind of vehicle.

Am blinded by excessive brightness of backup camera display and cannot see right side mirror and cannot see pedestrians near right side of vehicle due to overly bright backup camera which has no dimming feature.