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2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Tesla Model Y

On the public data alone the Equinox edges it 3–1.

2026 Chevrolet Equinox2026 Tesla Model Y
SegmentCompact SUVCompact SUV
PowertrainsElectric, GasElectric
Best EV range319357
Best combined mpg27
Safety Signal8141
NHTSA recalls38
Critical recalls00
Owner complaints80343
NHTSA overall stars55
B

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is sold in the U.S. as a electric and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Equinox EV FWD, is EPA-rated at 319 miles with 108 MPGe combined efficiency

F

2026 Tesla Model Y

The 2026 Tesla Model Y is sold in the U.S. as a electric compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model Y Long Range RWD, is EPA-rated at 357 miles with 134 MPGe combined efficiency. NH

Recalls at a glance

Equinox

Equipment

high
5,861 vehiclesElectric only

Problem: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the req

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.

Fix: 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 2

NHTSA campaign 26V114000 · reported Feb 26, 2026 · General Motors, LLC

Back Over Prevention

minor
81,177 vehiclesElectric only

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Equinox EV vehicles. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce a sufficient change in volume between the vehicle being stopped and moving at low speeds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 25V878000 · reported Dec 18, 2025 · General Motors, LLC

Tires

high
22,914 vehiclesElectric only

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Optic and 2025-2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles equipped with 21-inch Continental all-season tires. One or more of these tires may experience partial or full tread detachment.

Risk: Tire tread detachment increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 on NHTSA.gov beginning October 16, 2025.

NHTSA campaign 25V704000 · reported Oct 16, 2025 · General Motors, LLC

Model Y

Suspension

high
19 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. One or more front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly tightened, allowing the lateral link to loosen or separate from the sub-frame.

Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the fasteners and check wheel the alignment, free of charge. In addition, Tesla Service will replace any related parts that may have been damaged as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 30, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-31-004.

NHTSA campaign 26V558000 · reported Aug 31, 2026 · Tesla, Inc.

Air Bags

high
15 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."

Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

NHTSA campaign 26V445000 · reported Jul 7, 2026 · Tesla, Inc.

Equipment

minor
14,575 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Model Y vehicles. The certification label may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: Missing weight information provided by the label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and install a certification label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-19-002.

NHTSA campaign 26V315000 · reported May 18, 2026 · Tesla, Inc.

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.