Important Model with a Critical Flaw
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is one of General Motors’ most important electric models, intended to compete with the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, over 80,000 of these vehicles are now being recalled in the USA for a rather unusual reason: they are too quiet.
Safety Requirements and Non-Compliance
According to U.S. regulations, all new electric vehicles must emit an audible signal to warn pedestrians at speeds below 10 km/h, especially in areas such as parking lots. Although the Equinox EV is equipped with such a system, GM has acknowledged that it does not perform its function properly. During production, the system was incorrectly calibrated, so it does not create a sufficient sound level to warn nearby pedestrians.
Chevrolet Equinox EV’s Adaptive Cruise Control May Not Activate Brakes
Given the production volumes at GM’s plant in Mexico, such a problem should not have gone unnoticed. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that an Equinox EV that cannot be heard poses a real threat to pedestrian safety.
Recall Scale
The recall affects a total of 81,177 Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles. Of these, 59,537 belong to the 2025 model year, produced between July 2024 and August 2025. The remaining 21,640 units are the 2026 model, assembled between April and December 2025.
Problem Discovery and History
GM launched an internal investigation in November after one of its engineers reported the issue through an internal safety program while testing a 2025 model.
This is not the first time GM has faced the problem of an overly quiet Equinox EV. In September of last year, the automaker recalled 23,700 vehicles of the 2024 model year for exactly the same issue. Those earlier models used a different calibration than the 2025 and 2026 models being recalled now.
Correction Process
There is good news for vehicle owners: the fix is simple. GM plans to deploy an over-the-air software update to recalibrate the body control module. For those who prefer on-site service, the option to visit a dealership remains. Owner notifications will begin to be sent out from February 2nd.
The repeated recall for the same fundamental issue points to systemic difficulties in quality control at this new stage of GM’s electric vehicle production. While the software fix is a quick solution, the incident raises questions about how effective the company’s response was after the first recall. For pedestrians, especially visually impaired individuals who rely on sound, such a malfunction can have serious consequences, making the prompt elimination of the flaw critically important for public safety and brand reputation.