The Chevrolet Equinox EV, a relatively new entrant in the electric vehicle market, has been issued another recall in the United States, raising concerns about its safety and quality control. This latest recall, significantly larger in scope than the previous one issued in October, affects 7,606 Equinox EV models produced between August 13, 2024, and October 16, 2024.
The crux of the issue lies with the vehicle's pedestrian alert sound system, a critical safety feature mandated for all electric vehicles. This system is designed to emit an audible warning to pedestrians when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds, typically between 20 km/h and 30 km/h, when the vehicle's natural engine noise is significantly reduced or absent altogether.
Chevrolet has acknowledged that the pedestrian alert sound system in the affected Equinox EVs may not generate the required level of sound within the specified speed range. This deficiency poses a significant safety risk, as pedestrians may be unaware of the approaching vehicle, increasing the likelihood of collisions and potential injuries.
GM attributes this issue to incorrect software calibrations within the vehicle's body control module. The investigation into this potential safety defect was initiated on October 8, 2024, following an audit that revealed discrepancies in the pedestrian alert sound levels of the 2025 Equinox EV models. Subsequently, on December 5, the decision was made to issue a formal recall.
Starting January 27, 2025, owners of the affected vehicles will be notified of the recall. Interestingly, the remedy for this issue will vary depending on the vehicle's status. Customer-owned Equinox EVs will require a visit to a GM dealership for a software update to recalibrate the body control module. However, unsold vehicles on dealership lots may receive this software update over-the-air, bypassing the need for a physical service visit. GM has not yet provided a clear explanation for this discrepancy in the chosen remedy for different vehicle groups.
This recent recall comes on the heels of a previous recall issued in October, which affected the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer, and Blazer EV models. That recall focused on a potential issue with the door strikers, which were found to have been improperly heat-treated, falling short of the required hardness specifications. This could have potentially allowed the doors to swing open unexpectedly while driving or during a collision. Fortunately, none of the affected vehicles had been delivered to customers at the time of the recall, mitigating the immediate safety risks.
These successive recalls highlight the importance of rigorous quality control and stringent safety standards in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. While recalls are not uncommon in the automotive industry, the frequency of recalls for the Chevrolet Equinox EV within a short timeframe raises concerns about potential quality control issues. GM will need to address these issues promptly and effectively to maintain customer confidence and ensure the long-term success of its electric vehicle offerings.