2025 Chevrolet Equinox: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

My 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS is experiencing critical active safety and electronic malfunctions. While reversing out of my driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly executed an aggressive "phantom braking" event, violently slamming on the brakes with no actual physical hazards or cross-traffic behind the vehicle. The Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking systems are hypersensitive and falsely triggering mechanical emergency stops, creating an immediate physical hazard and whiplash risk. Additionally, the Google Built-in infotainment system constantly suffers from communication freezes with Apple CarPlay and media apps like Pandora. Commands to select or play audio tracks freeze and fail to execute on the 11.3-inch screen, indicating a systemic software architecture defect affecting the vehicle's dashboard modules. The vehicle has previously been out of service for an extended duration (30+ days)due to a broken telematics module causing parasitic battery drain down to 3 volts, along with multiple dashboard error messages. The manufacturer has been unable to permanently resolve these electronic and active safety failures.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Electrical · OH

Onstar module faulty causing parasitic battery drain unable to get a loaner car

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · RI

The telematic control module drains the battery. I bought the car in February 14, 2026 and it was towed to the dealer on February 20. Today is March 17 and I have had no results. I opened a case with GM directly but I receive nothing but canned automatic emails. The dealer isn't taking my calls. Please help.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

OnStar Telematics module is defective and keeps draining the battery causing the need for multiple jump starts. The problem has been confirmed by Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick on March 5th, 2026 and was told that the part is on backorder and that there is no ETA.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NJ

Just after Thanksgiving, my vehicle displayed a “Service Emergency Calling” message. I brought it to the dealership and they documented the concern, referencing GM bulletin PIP6077B, but no repairs were performed. On December 30th, while parking, I shifted into reverse and the vehicle would not reverse and instead moved forward. A “Service Transmission” warning appeared and the vehicle was towed. The dealer cleared the codes and released the vehicle without performing any diagnostics. About two weeks later, when starting the vehicle after work, several warnings appeared, including “Service Safety Restraint System,” “Forward Collision System Unavailable,” and a rear-seat alert despite no passengers. While driving, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and blind zone steering assist were not functioning. The next morning, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical failure. It would not start, the screens stayed off, and the doors would not lock or unlock. The vehicle was towed again. The dealer replaced the battery, claimed it had simply died, and attempted to return the vehicle to me. I refused because none of the prior warnings were diagnosed, and I was told the codes “erase when the battery is changed.” After I demanded full electrical and transmission diagnostics, including a parasitic draw test, the dealership informed me the vehicle was unsafe to drive. They stated the OnStar/telematics module was draining the battery and the replacement part was backordered with no estimated arrival date. I was told multiple customers are waiting for the same part, which means this is NOT an isolated event and needs way more attention than it's being given. This defect results in loss of essential safety systems and complete vehicle shutdown, creating a significant safety risk.

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

Got the equinox brand new on march 2025. Few weeks later had to take it to service/dealer with backup camera problems and it had to be replaced. It started to have speakers issues due to a very loud humming sound while driving. Also window from drivers side runs slower than the rest of windows. The visibility through front glass is non existent when raining due to the angle. Transmition started slipping and started to have a check engine light pop up and had to take it to service again... And finally at the beggining of november had to take it to service due to a sudden battery drain. She wouldnt turn on for no reason.the defective module is on backorder with no estimated arrival date, leaving the vehicle unusable. Its been there for 2 months now... They provided a loaner. Everything has been confirmed by dealer. They said that had 3 pages of codes pop up to be fixed.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Electrical · NY

The vehicle became completely disabled due to a sudden battery drain at approximately 5482 miles. I purchased the car with 2553 on it in May. The vehicle would not start a few times and had to be towed to the dealership on Friday Dec. 26, 2025. The dealer confirmed that the OnStar/telematics module is malfunctioning and continuously draining the battery. The defective module is on backorder with no estimated arrival date, leaving the vehicle unusable. They also do not know if they have a loaner for me. This creates a safety risk because the vehicle can become inoperable without warning, potentially stranding the driver. The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership. Prior to the failure, the OnStar system stopped functioning, but no warning lights appeared on the dashboard. My Chevy App stopped working 26 days ago as well. I now have a Loan payment to make for a car that isn't even working and brand new. Dealership doesn't know a timeframe either.

Filed Nov 23, 2025 · Electrical · FL

Our OnStar Control Module on our 2025 Equinox started having connectivity issues. It failed to access apps and showed our location 100 miles from where we actually were, and drains the battery. We could not access OnStar to correct the issue. It continued to go off and on, until it completely failed. Researching this, hundreds of 2025 Equinox owners are experiencing the same issues. It is an extreme safety hazard as affected Control modules would send emergency personnel to an incorrect location in the driver is incapacitated in an accident. The module is constantly on back order for weeks. This needs to be looked at

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 28,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing, the transmission remained in drive. The contact depressed the shifter to move. The contact stated that the gear shifter was sticking. The vehicle jerked, hesitated, and then stalled. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking without driver input after an update was performed, and the keys became locked inside the vehicle. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The telematics module, GPS, and OnStar were not working as designed. The contact stated that the OnStar went into red and lost connectivity and was unable to locate the vehicle. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined after further inspection that the battery was drained due to the telematics module draining the battery. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Electrical · IL

The onstar module installed originally from manufacturer was faulty, causing electrical issues. This ended up draining the battery unexpectedly. No warning that the battery was low. Only had .03 volts left when tested at dealership. The onstar button was experiencing issues such as blinking and loss of connection. Onstar Support was no help, and the car manufacturer ignored issues as my phones software problem, until new battery was drained and issues persisted while driving. Ultimately this left the OnStar not working for weeks leading up to the drained battery which was unsafe in case of accident as well.