How Long Do Chevy Equinoxes Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan
Chevy Equinox by Elise240SX - CC-BY-SA-4.0
SUVs are often the vehicle of choice for families. The ample interior space allows for the comfortable seating of multiple passengers, including children, in car seats and ensures everyone has enough legroom and personal space during journeys. If you’re someone who’s looking to buy a spacious crossover SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox may be your best bet.
Despite not being the most exciting model in the SUV segment, the Equinox manages to be one of the best-selling models by Chevy – only trailing the popular Silverado pickup truck. While it’s not as popular as the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, or Honda CR-V, the Equinox stands out due to its competitive pricing and impressive fuel efficiency. It strikes a balance between being a family-friendly vehicle and a stylish urban cruiser. Thus, it meets a wide range of customer needs.
If you want to purchase this crossover SUV, you’re probably wondering: how long do Chevy Equinoxes last? Understanding the expected lifespan helps owners plan for future expenses. Its lifespan will give you an idea of whether it’s better to repair or buy a new vehicle altogether. Knowing how long do Chevy Equinoxes last will help you feel confident about its performance and reliability, especially during long trips or challenging driving conditions.
Today, we discuss Chevy Equinoxes’ longevity and determine if this SUV is a good long-term investment.
Just How Reliable is the Chevy Equinox?
The Equinox, introduced in 2005, quickly gained traction as a sought-after crossover SUV. Unlike previous Chevy SUVs that used traditional body-on-frame construction, the Equinox pioneered a design where the body and frame were constructed separately. However, its reliability can be a mixed bag.
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According to RepairPal, the Chevy Equinox has an above-average reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 but only ranked 23rd out of 26 compact SUVs. This makes sense since the compact SUV segment is a highly competitive market with some of the top-tier models in reliability, such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Outback. On the other hand, WithClutch scored the Equinox with a reliability score of 38.95, which is way below the overall average rating of the website. Meanwhile, iSeeCars ranked the Equinox as the 12th most reliable compact SUV out of 16 brands across all brands.
However, keep in mind that not all Equinox years are reliable. For example, the Equinox had a stretch of model years where the SUV struggled with major engine issues, particularly the 2010-2015 models. Check out this post for a quick breakdown of the Equinox years to avoid.
How Long Do Chevy Equinoxes Last?
While it’s not exactly a paragon of reliability, the Equinox SUV can offer you many years of service, provided it’s well taken care of. While you can’t precisely predict just how far your Equinox can go, general estimates say that this SUV can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. However, the average lifespan for newer models might be slightly lower, ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, remember that these numbers are only achievable with proper maintenance and repairs.
It’s also worth noting that many Equinox model years have grappled with major mechanical issues, especially engine-related. For instance, several users from the Terrain Forums have advised staying away from the 2010-2013 models with the 4-cylinder engine.
Multiple users have highlighted the 2.4L engine from these years as problematic. One user specifically mentioned issues with the “service Stabilitrak” message appearing early on and multiple check engine and service lights coming on over time. One user said he had to replace the timing chain twice within a short period. Due to numerous issues, another user described their 2012 Equinox 4 cylinder as the “worst car” they’ve ever owned.
This trend circles back to the reality that not all Chevy Equinoxes are created equal. While there are model years that could easily reach 150k miles with regular maintenance, some years are inherently problematic and may break down sooner rather than later. As a used car buyer, your best bet is to go for years that are less likely to have reliability woes.
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How Many Miles are Too Many for a Used Chevy Equinox?
The Chevrolet Equinox isn’t a heavy-duty SUV, so you’ll probably want to steer clear of high mileage units when buying used. According to posters from the Terrain Forum, many Equinox models have reached 100k miles with little to no issues. One user has a 2010 V6 Equinox with 115,000 miles and only had a few minor problems and plans to keep it well over 200,000 miles. Another owner has 128,000 miles on their 2011 Equinox. Apart from occasional ABS sensor problems, the vehicle is still running strong.
Meanwhile, another person had 84,000 miles on their 2010 Equinox when they traded it in. They advise against buying a 2010 model due to issues with oil consumption and the need for piston, ring, and timing chain replacements. Another user had a 2010 4-cylinder AWD Equinox with about 117,000 miles. The engine block was replaced due to a defect, and they are currently dealing with leaking transmission fluid and a throttle body/TPS sensor issue.
As such, a good rule of thumb is to avoid a used Equinox with more than 100k miles. This is especially true if looking at a newer model (2010+). It’s essential to consider the specific model year and engine type when evaluating the longevity and reliability of the Equinox.
Is a Chevy Equinox a Worthy Investment?
How long do Chevy Equinoxes last? Hopefully, this quick guide has given you the answers. But is this crossover a good long-term investment? When dealing with a used Equinox, you must weigh your pros and cons.
On the one hand, a used Chevy Equinox should fetch you a reasonable price in the used car market, and it offers good fuel economy. On the other hand, the long-term reliability of Equinox can be a gamble. If you’re buying used, consider going for newer 2017+ model years. While they have their own issues, many were electrical problems, as opposed to mechanical ones.
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