# Chevrolet Equinox oil pressure warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 50 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (19) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 50 owner complaints about the oil pressure warning light on the Chevrolet Equinox (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (19). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: No. ## Chevrolet Equinox oil pressure warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the oil pressure light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 16 | 680 | 2% | | 2016 | 14 | 399 | 4% | | 2017 | 19 | 276 | 7% | | 2020 | 1 | 318 | 0% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Equinox oil pressure warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Chevrolet Equinox has 20 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Chevrolet Equinox page](/vehicles/chevrolet-equinox) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Chevrolet Equinox owners report - "Low oil pressure Engine power is reduced I have been towed 3 times I have dealt with Castriota Chevrolet, Hudson FL where I purchased the car who would not speak with me I have dealt with Chevrolet of Milford who claims I only needed an oil change but since August this is the 3rd time this is happening and Jonathan..." -- owner of a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, complaint filed 2024 - "The check engine light never came on and neither did the oil light when there was no oil left due to the seal blowing out. This incident caused damage to crucial engine parts including the transmission." -- owner of a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, complaint filed 2022 - "It had very little oil in the engine and no oil light ever came on. And in between oil changes it uses more than usual oil." -- owner of a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, complaint filed 2021 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the oil pressure warning light means The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. The most common cause is a low oil level, but a failing pressure sensor, a worn oil pump, or a clogged pickup can also do it. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe; running without oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low oil level** (most common) 2. **Failing oil pressure sensor or switch** (common) 3. **Wrong or very old oil** (less common) 4. **Clogged oil pickup or failing oil pump** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Equinox oil pressure light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Chevrolet Equinox years have the most oil pressure light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Equinox model years have the most complaints mentioning the oil pressure warning light, with 19 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Equinox with the oil pressure light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut off the engine. Only drive again if adding oil turns the light off immediately and the engine sounds normal; otherwise have it towed. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Equinox has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Equinox warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-equinox): 15 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-equinox): 28 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-equinox): 462 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-equinox): 21 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-equinox): 48 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/chevrolet-equinox): 20 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-equinox): 58 complaints ## Oil pressure warning light on other models - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints - [Kia K5](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-compass): 100 complaints - [Kia Sportage](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints ## Chevrolet Equinox - [Chevrolet Equinox specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-equinox) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/chevrolet-equinox Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.