It is quite difficult to decide on a car to purchase, especially when you are looking at buying a popular model like Chevy Equinox. Due to its acceptability and popularity, Chevy Equinox can be found in almost every auto dealership.
Just like any other car, it is important to research which years have the most problems when you want to get a car for yourself. If you are in love with Chevy Equinox and want to get one for yourself, it is important you know what Chevy equinox years to avoid.
When considering certain Chevy Equinox years to avoid, models 2005 to 2009 should come to mind for the following reasons: passenger air malfunction, interior heater failure, poor safety ratings, poor fuel efficiency, poor LATCH reviews, and multiple safety calls.
However, the 2008 to 2009 models are still fair enough and can be considered. This is not to say that other generations of Chevy Equinox do not have problems. They do, but not as much as the first three models (2005, 2006, and 2007 models).
However, if you are want determined to buy a vehicle from the first generation to save money or just because you like the car, consider the 2008 and 2009 model years.
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Although they still had some issues, these were generally more dependable than the first generation’s previous three years. The most prevalent issue with the final two models of the first generation was engine overheating, which cost consumers about $700 to repair.
2008 model is important to keep an eye on because it was the first generation to get several essential upgrades. Except you are willing to put serious work and attention into your car or looking for one with low mileage, this is the lowest model you should go for.
Chevy Equinox is a reliable car that has been one of the favorites of persons looking for an affordable, family-friendly vehicle for over 15 years. We shall dig into some of the issues Chevy Equinox has and which years to avoid.
Chevy Equinox Years To Avoid
There are three generations of the Chevrolet Equinox. It has been reported that the series may be stopped after the 2022 models. Here are the three generations of Chevrolet Equinox:
The first generations of Chevy equinox are:
- 2005 to 2007 models
- 2008 to 2009 models
The second generations of Chevy equinox are:
- Years to avoid 2010 – 2012 models
- Best years 2013 – 2017 models
The third generation of Chevy equinox is:
- 2018 to 2022 models
- 2005 to 2007 models were the first models of their generation. Just like new inventions or new models of cars, they received lots of criticism from users. They had so many issues and did poorly in the IHS crash test in the seat categories and head restraints.
The IHS test was conducted on vehicles that were ten years old or older. The performance of the seat seemed to be satisfactory, but the passenger of front passenger seats wasn’t. Since safety is one of the most important things to consider when buying a car, try and steer clear of 2005 to 2007 models of Chevrolet Equinox.
If saving money is your major reason for going for older models of Chevrolet Equinox or you are simply still in love with the older models, it is advisable you go for the 2008 to 2009 models. This is far better than the first three years of the first generation which have so many issues.
The biggest issue final two models of the first generation (which are the 2006 and 2007 models) was engine temperature. It costs a whopping $700 or thereabout to fix this problem.
2008 model was upgraded and some of the issues the first three models faced were taken care of. So if you want to purchase an older version of the Chevrolet Equinox, consider going for the 2008 – 2009 models to avoid unnecessary expenses on repairs.
Second Generation Equinox Years To Avoid
- Years to avoid 2010 – 2012
- Best years 2013 – 2017
You may be wondering if we are advising that all Chevy equinox models be avoided. This is not so. There is no car make or model that is perfect. So the reason for listing these models is to bring to your awareness the issues each model or generation has and what to expect.
Many of the cars manufactured between 2010 and 2017 lacked so many things including technology, and safety systems, and have one of the worst gas consumption. Those with 2.4L engines have poor fuel economy and costs so much to have their engines replaced if necessary.
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The Models of V6 – powered Equinox develop fault easily. The LATCH design of the 2017 model got a negative rating but is not a major safety problem for children in the rear.
The recent versions (which are the initial two years of production) are more user-friendly mechanisms. However, these versions have a serious issue – excessive consumption of oils. This causes a lack of lubrication and could lead to engine problems which is costly to fix.
Interestingly, these recent models do not have the engine problems that the 2.4L versions of the car had. They have a better fuel consumption making them a better choice to consider.
The list below is Chevy Equinox model years to avoid.
- 2005 Chevy Equinox
- 2006 Chevy Equinox
- 2008 Chevy Equinox
- 2010 Chevy Equinox
- 2011 Chevy Equinox
- 2012 Chevy Equinox
- 2013 Chevy Equinox
As mentioned earlier, they are not entirely bad or the worst cars. The intention is to give you information on the issues of each model as compared to other models of the same Chevy Equinox.
What Are The Most Reliable Chevy Equinox Years?
Previously, we talked about the Chevy equinox years to avoid. Here, we are going to discuss the Chevy Equinox years you should put into consideration when buying a car.
The later models, especially from 2016 to 2022 should be considered because they are more reliable and appealing. The 2018 to 2020 models were given a facelift, making them look very attractive.
This is not to say that these later models do not have problems. Of course, they do. It’s just that they don’t have serious issues and have a lifespan of up to 200,000 miles (which can last between 10 years to 13 years) if they are maintained well.
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What Is The Life Expectancy Of Chevy Equinox?
Chevrolet brand has been criticized for having a short life expectancy. However, few of its brands stand out when it comes to this. One of these is the Chevy Equinox which can run several miles before it starts developing major problems.
Under normal circumstances which include good roads, carefulness on the part of the driver, proper maintenance, and others, the life expectancy of Chevy Equinox is between 100,000 to 200,000 miles. This is far better than some brands of Chevrolet.
According to reports from consumers, the lifespan of a good vehicle is about 200,000 miles, which means that the Equinox is a dependable car model. All you need is to drive carefully and maintain the car.
As a matter of fact, you can extend the lifespan of the Chevy Equinox models by changing the oil when due, replacing the filter when necessary, driving on a good road, etc.
If you drive a Chevy Equinox on a good road and drive an average of 15,000 of fifteen thousand miles a year, it is expected that it will last for about 10 to 13 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chevy Equinox a Reliable Car?
A straightforward answer to this question is YES. Chevy Equinox is rated above average in reliability ratings by top, reliable auto rating platforms. You only need to avoid some models, especially the 2005 to 2007 models.
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Does Chevy Equinox Have a Lot Of Problems?
As mentioned earlier, some models have a lot of issues ranging from engine problems, overheating, and transmission failures
Why is Chevy Equinox So Cheap?
There is no direct answer to this. Some attribute its cheap price to the inability of Chevy Equinox to last long, while some attribute it to constant issues by other models of the Chevron cars.