Driver assistance features are supposed to make the road safer. Forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking are sold as tools that can help a driver avoid a rear-end crash or reduce its force. Complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the forward collision avoidance system on recent Equinox models have been rising. That trend has many owners asking whether their SUV is safe to drive and what they can do if something has already gone wrong.

What Owners Are Raising About the Equinox Forward Collision Avoidance System

NHTSA collects safety complaints directly from drivers through its public database, and these reports are often one of the first places a possible defect pattern shows up. A complaint is not proof of a defect, and a rise in complaints does not mean a recall has been issued. Still, regulators review these reports, and they can be useful evidence when a crash is investigated. You can check your vehicle identification number for open recalls on the NHTSA recalls page.

Problems with forward collision avoidance systems in general tend to fall into a few categories:

• Phantom braking: The vehicle brakes hard when there is no real obstacle ahead, which can leave a following car with no time to stop.
• Failure to brake: The system does not warn the driver or apply the brakes when a vehicle or person is actually in the path.
• False warnings: Repeated alerts with nothing ahead can distract a driver or lead them to ignore a real warning later.
• Sensor or camera faults: Error messages, disabled features or poor performance in rain, glare or darkness.

If you have experienced any of these issues in your Equinox, writing down the date, the conditions and any dashboard messages can help later, whether or not a crash has happened yet.

How a Collision Avoidance Problem Can Lead to a Crash

Many drivers trust these systems more than they realize. When the technology behaves in an unexpected way, the result can be a serious collision in just a second or two. Sudden braking on a Florida highway like I-75 or I-95 may cause a chain reaction at high speed. A system that fails to brake in stop-and-go traffic may lead to a rear-end crash that the driver believed the car would help prevent. Pedestrians and cyclists in busy areas can also be put at risk when detection does not work as advertised.

Examples of Cases We May Review

The following are hypothetical examples meant to show the kinds of situations that may support a claim. They are not actual client cases or results.

• Rear-ended after phantom braking: A driver in Broward County is following a vehicle when it brakes hard on an open road. She cannot stop in time and suffers a neck and back injury. The data and witness accounts may show there was nothing ahead.
• Driver hits stopped traffic: An owner relies on automatic emergency braking in slow traffic, but the system gives no warning and does not engage. He is injured, and the question becomes whether the system performed as designed.
• Passenger injured in a sudden stop: A rideshare passenger in a vehicle is thrown forward when the vehicle brakes without reason and is struck from behind.
• Pedestrian struck in a parking lot: A shopper is hit at low speed by a vehicle whose driver says the forward collision alert never sounded.

Each situation is different, and liability may involve the manufacturer, another driver, or both.

Who May Be Responsible for an Equinox Collision Avoidance Crash

A crash involving a driver assistance system can raise several kinds of claims. A product liability claim may be possible if the system was defectively designed, manufactured with a flaw, or sold without adequate warnings. A dealer or repair shop may share responsibility if it failed to perform a recall repair or calibrate sensors properly after a windshield or bumper replacement. A traditional negligence claim in Florida may also apply to a driver who was following too closely, speeding or distracted.

Vehicle defect cases can be technical. Evidence often includes the event data recorder, software and service records, photos of the scene, and complaint and investigation records from regulators. If you want to learn more about how product hazards affect families, our post on the top defective consumer products causing injuries in 2026 offers helpful background.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Sudden Braking and Rear-End Crashes

Even crashes that look minor can cause lasting harm. People involved in these collisions may experience whiplash, herniated discs, shoulder and knee injuries, fractures, and concussions. In more severe crashes, head trauma can affect the deepest structures of the brain. Our page on brain stem injuries, treatment and legal rights explains more about these serious cases. Getting checked by a doctor promptly can protect both your health and your claim.

What to Do After a Crash Involving an Equinox

1. Call 911 and get medical care, even if you feel fine at first.
2. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signals and any warning messages on the dashboard.
3. Get names and contact information for witnesses and the other drivers.
4. Do not let the vehicle be repaired, sold or scrapped before speaking with a lawyer, since it may hold important data.
5. Write down what the collision avoidance system did, or did not do, before the impact.
6. Avoid giving recorded statements to an insurance company before getting legal advice.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin

Attorney Jason Turchin and the Law Offices of Jason Turchin help people injured in car crashes and by defective products. The firm is based in Florida, and handles personal injury cases in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and throughout the U.S. with a network of co-counsels and local counsels. That reach can matter in vehicle defect cases, where crashes happen in many places and manufacturers are often based out of state. Jason also filed one of the first ever Takata airbag lawsuits and handled more airbag injury claims than most other product liability lawyers.

Jason Turchin holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating. He was AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026. He has been named to the Super Lawyers list from 2020 through 2026, and the firm has held an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026. He is also a #1 Best Selling Author on Amazon.com on Accident Law.

Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees and costs waived if there is no recovery. You can learn more about Attorney Jason Turchin’s background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Equinox collision avoidance system?

Rising complaints do not always mean a recall exists. Recall status can change, so it is a good idea to check your VIN on NHTSA’s website regularly. A claim may still be possible even if no recall has been announced.

Can I file a claim if I was driving the Equinox?

Possibly. If the system malfunctioned and contributed to your injuries, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or others in the chain of sale.

What if I was partly at fault?

Florida uses a comparative fault system, and your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault. In many cases, a person found more than 50 percent at fault may not recover damages, so an early review of the facts can be important.

How long do I have to take action?

Florida sets deadlines for injury and product claims, and some negligence deadlines were shortened in 2023. Because the time limit depends on the type of claim, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as you can.

Should I file a complaint with NHTSA myself?

You can. Reporting a safety problem may help regulators spot patterns. Keep a copy of what you submit, and consider speaking with a lawyer so your report and your claim stay consistent.

Talk With an Experienced Defective Vehicle Lawyer

If a 2024, 2025 or 2026 Chevrolet Equinox collision avoidance problem played a role in your crash, you do not have to figure out your options alone. The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review what happened, help preserve evidence and explain the claims that may be available to you. Call 800-337-7755 or contact us online for a free consultation.

About the Author

Jason Turchin, Esq., is the founder and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, a personal injury firm based in Florida. He helps people injured in car crashes, by defective products and in other accidents.