Chevrolet Equinox VSS-S
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Equinox VSS-S (from 2025) is the all-new, much more compact take — GM moved the model from the mid-size into the compact-SUV segment, priced it lower and tuned it for efficiency. Pure US model, not officially sold in Europe. Up front: the car is fresh, and solid long-term data simply doesn't exist yet.
The engines: Just one powerplant from the factory — the LSD (1.5L turbo four, 130 kW, 175 hp). A newer evolution of the familiar LYX turbo that shares the predecessor's basic architecture and cooling system, and is rated solid but not outstanding. The issues surfaced so far are modest: a chafing charge-air hose causing power loss, a drifting oxygen sensor with misfires and stumbling, and coolant loss with overheating risk. That's the usual early-turbo small stuff — nothing catastrophic, but the cooling system deserves attention.
Model years: On a 2025 car: the newer it is, the more TSB updates are already baked in. First-model-year cars typically carry the most teething troubles. If you can wait, buy a year later.
Whole car: The classic new-car gremlins show up here. The AWD 8-speed automatic occasionally gets stuck in 1st gear per TSB; the FWD models (2025) have notes on CVT seals and bolt torque. Add electronics grief: wireless Android Auto keeps dropping, and the display plus instrument cluster can go fully black (blackout) — both software-adjacent and fixable via updates, but annoying.
Test drive: Focus hard on electronics — pair the infotainment, test Android Auto, keep an eye on the cluster. Cycle the transmission cold AND hot, watch for it hanging in 1st gear. Check coolant level and inspect the radiator for a sweet smell/moisture after the drive. Verify the service history for applied TSBs.
Market 2026: As a near-new vehicle, used examples in the US sit close to sticker, roughly EUR 22,000–28,000 depending on trim. Practically unavailable in Europe. Insider pick: a late 2025 or early 2026 car with documented software updates — then the known blackout and transmission items are usually already sorted.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Chevrolet Equinox VSS-S is available with one engine variant at 175 hp.
1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection, 175 hp, the younger evolution of the LYX and the only powerplant offered in its line from the factory. Mechanically it shares the predecessor's basic architecture and cooling system and is considered slightly more durable, but it is still too young for solid long-term data. Two issues stand out: the protective sleeve on the charge-air hose chafes through or splits, causing power loss and P0237/P0299, and a skewed upstream oxygen sensor that triggers misfires, chuggle and surge on acceleration and can damage the catalytic converter. GM addresses both via technical bulletins rather than a recall. A sound base, but the teething troubles around the intake and fueling system are not yet ironed out.
- !! Coolant loss and overheating risk from 90,000 km
The LSD shares the LYX predecessor's cooling-system layout — hose connections, the water outlet and the thermostat housing can start leaking. If the loss is missed, the small turbo engine can overheat with little warning, in extreme cases blowing the head gasket or cracking the block.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant level, sweet smell, rising temperature gauge, heater blowing cold, steam. - !! Charge-air hose chafes through — power loss from 40,000 km
The anti-abrasion sleeve over the LSD's charge-air hose shreds or splits and the hose develops a tear. The result is loss of boost with limp mode and codes P0237/P0299. GM documents this in technical bulletin PIP5927B, without a formal recall.
Symptoms: Sudden sharply reduced power, check-engine light, sluggish acceleration, sometimes a whistling air-leak noise. - !! Skewed oxygen sensor — misfire and surge from 30,000 km
The upstream (position 1) oxygen sensor feeds skewed readings to the ECM, causing misfires, rough idle and chuggle/surge on acceleration. Left untreated it can damage the catalytic converter. GM describes the sensor replacement in PIP6071A (codes P0300/P2097/P2251/P223C).
Symptoms: Chuggle and hesitation on acceleration, misfires, rough idle, loss of power, occasional stalling.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| AWD 8-speed gets stuck in 1st gear Some 2025–2026 Equinox/Terrain AWD with the 8-speed automatic get stuck in first gear. Cause: clutch housing misinterpretation by the controller. Symptoms: High rpm at low speed, no upshift, check engine | Medium | |
| CVT seals and bolt torque issue (2025 FWD) 2025 Equinox FWD with CVT shows leaking seals and under-torqued bolts from the factory. Lemon law cases documented in 2025. Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak, CVT warnings, shift quality degrades from 15,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 7 weaknesses have been documented for the Chevrolet Equinox VSS-S (2025–2026) — 3 engine-related and 4 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics.
Equinox (LSD, 2025–2026) — Be Careful: Coolant loss and overheating risk, Charge-air hose chafes through — power loss, Skewed oxygen sensor — misfire and surge. Power: 175 PS.
What to watch out for with the Chevrolet Equinox? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee