NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV Safety Ratings
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV scores 97 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 3 recalls, and 7 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV AWD achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 97/100, placing it in the Exceptional band. Its perfect score in avoidance technology, combined with a strong NHTSA overall crash rating, establishes one of the strongest safety profiles in its class for this model year.
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV AWD received a five-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 97/100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV ranks 10 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 97 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.9% |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 7 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 10 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV?
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV AWD enters the MotorCaliber system with an Exceptional Safety Index of 97 out of 100, establishing a robust baseline for this new model. This high score is anchored by a perfect 70/70 in crash protection and a full 10/10 for avoidance technology. The primary area for improvement lies in the defect record, which registers 16.8 out of a possible 20, reflecting three active recall campaigns. Two of these recalls directly impact critical safety systems: a federally mandated pedestrian alert sound system, integral for back-over protection, and a manufacturing defect concerning the tire tread and belt on 21-inch wheels. The third recall addresses administrative documentation errors across multiple GM platforms. While the vehicle achieved a perfect score for its avoidance technology, the seven owner complaints reported thus far concentrate heavily on the Forward Collision Avoidance system. These allegations remain unverified and do not currently alter the Safety Index, but they warrant close observation as the complaint data develops.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV perform in crash tests?
NHTSA awarded the 2026 Equinox EV BEV AWD five stars across every tested category: overall, frontal, side, and rollover. The rollover risk is recorded at 10 percent, and the dynamic tip test returned a No Tip result. No rated category fell below five stars, and the crash-protection component of the Safety Index earned a perfect 70 out of 70.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21825
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV have any recalls?
Three recall campaigns cover this model year. One addresses a pedestrian alert system that may not produce a sufficient external sound for back-over prevention. A second involves tire tread and belt concerns on vehicles equipped with 21-inch tires. A third covers an owners, service, and other manual issue affecting multiple GM nameplates including the Equinox EV. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available data, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL26V114000
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle
Reported 2026-02-26
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT25V878000
Risk: A vehicle that does not emit sufficient sound may fail to alert pedestrians of a moving vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530690. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 18, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-18
TIRES:TREAD/BELT25V704000
Risk: Tire tread detachment increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect all four tires and replace those manufactured during DOT week 4024, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252525030. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable
Reported 2025-10-16
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV?
Seven owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. These are unverified consumer allegations. The most frequently alleged component is Forward Collision Avoidance, cited in six reports. Back Over Prevention, Lane Departure, Power Train, Electrical System, and Service Brakes each appear in one report. One complaint alleges an injury.
7 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV?
Three open recall campaigns for this current-model-year vehicle warrant attention from prospective buyers. Specifically, the pedestrian alert and tire campaigns should be verified as completed remedies at a dealership. Buyers should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase to confirm all three campaigns have been addressed.
- The 2026 Equinox EV BEV AWD earned five stars in every NHTSA crash-test category, including a 10 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result on the dynamic test.
- Three recalls are active for this model year, with the pedestrian alert sound system recall being the most directly safety-critical, as it concerns the vehicle's federally required external noise warning for pedestrians.
- Six of the seven NHTSA complaints filed for this model year allege issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system; these are unverified consumer allegations but represent the most concentrated complaint signal for this year.
- No prior-year Safety Index exists for comparison, making the 97/100 Exceptional score this vehicle's first recorded baseline in the MotorCaliber system.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV places
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV safety questions
Was the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 97 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 7 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21825), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Equinox EV BEV 2026.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 10 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.