Traded the '25 Gremlin Ranch for a 2027 AWD — 30 miles in and no smoke yet

[penright]

Well folks, I finally pulled the rip cord.

After a thrilling romantic saga with our 2025 Equinox RS—and spending enough quality time with GM Customer Care to put them on my holiday card list—we have officially moved on.

We bought that '25 brand new back in November of 2024, so I’m fairly certain our VIN ended in #0001 and we were officially designated as unpaid lead beta testers for GM.

For those keeping score at home, here is the greatest-hits album of my '25 ownership experience:

• 2,914 miles: BCM decided life was too hard and completely gave up the ghost. Replaced.
• Summer '25: HVAC blower motor circuit went haywire, joined by a symphony of scanner codes across EPS, ABS, and BCM.
• 21,032 miles: Front wheel bearing & hub assembly started making expensive grinding noises. Replaced.
• 24,384 miles: Turbo hose failed, instantly sending me into glorious limp-mode on the road.
• The Ongoing Background Noise: A leaking crankcase sensor, intermittent blind-spot radar tantrums, random driver-assist fits, and more module re-flashes than my home PC.

Now, truth be told: we actually loved the car itself. The ride, comfort, styling, and general layout were great—it was just the relentless parade of early-build gremlins that wore us out. That’s why we were willing to give the platform a second chance instead of jumping ship to another brand.

With a corporate trade-assist voucher in hand and a little dealer negotiation to bridge the gap, I threw in the towel and drove home a brand new 2027 Equinox AWD. To sweeten the pot, GM took my 5-year/100k warranty and bumped it up to a 7-year/100k plan without me even having to ask. That tells me they either wanted to make sure I slept at night, or they really, really never want to hear my voice on the phone again.

But seriously—credit where it's due: the dealer always took good care of me, and GM Customer Support stepped up and truly helped once they got me to quit yelling.

The initial 30-mile review on the '27:

• No warning lights.
• The dash didn't pretend it was Christmas in August.
• All 4 wheels, the sensors, and the turbo are currently cooperating.

My sincere hope is that all the lessons GM learned from us early guinea pigs—from leaking crankcase sensors to glitchy harness connections—actually made it onto the assembly line by the time the '27s started rolling down.

Anyone else survive the jump from the early '25s to a '27 yet? Did they finally exorcise the demons at the factory, or should I keep my service advisor on speed dial?

 

[2025 Red Equinox]

Well folks, I finally pulled the rip cord.

After a thrilling romantic saga with our 2025 Equinox RS—and spending enough quality time with GM Customer Care to put them on my holiday card list—we have officially moved on.

We bought that '25 brand new back in November of 2024, so I’m fairly certain our VIN ended in #0001 and we were officially designated as unpaid lead beta testers for GM.

For those keeping score at home, here is the greatest-hits album of my '25 ownership experience:

• 2,914 miles: BCM decided life was too hard and completely gave up the ghost. Replaced.
• Summer '25: HVAC blower motor circuit went haywire, joined by a symphony of scanner codes across EPS, ABS, and BCM.
• 21,032 miles: Front wheel bearing & hub assembly started making expensive grinding noises. Replaced.
• 24,384 miles: Turbo hose failed, instantly sending me into glorious limp-mode on the road.
• The Ongoing Background Noise: A leaking crankcase sensor, intermittent blind-spot radar tantrums, random driver-assist fits, and more module re-flashes than my home PC.

Now, truth be told: we actually loved the car itself. The ride, comfort, styling, and general layout were great—it was just the relentless parade of early-build gremlins that wore us out. That’s why we were willing to give the platform a second chance instead of jumping ship to another brand.

With a corporate trade-assist voucher in hand and a little dealer negotiation to bridge the gap, I threw in the towel and drove home a brand new 2027 Equinox AWD. To sweeten the pot, GM took my 5-year/100k warranty and bumped it up to a 7-year/100k plan without me even having to ask. That tells me they either wanted to make sure I slept at night, or they really, really never want to hear my voice on the phone again.

But seriously—credit where it's due: the dealer always took good care of me, and GM Customer Support stepped up and truly helped once they got me to quit yelling.

The initial 30-mile review on the '27:

• No warning lights.
• The dash didn't pretend it was Christmas in August.
• All 4 wheels, the sensors, and the turbo are currently cooperating.

My sincere hope is that all the lessons GM learned from us early guinea pigs—from leaking crankcase sensors to glitchy harness connections—actually made it onto the assembly line by the time the '27s started rolling down.

Anyone else survive the jump from the early '25s to a '27 yet? Did they finally exorcise the demons at the factory, or should I keep my service advisor on speed dial?

On your 2027 - Are the two rows of switches below the center screen still very difficult to see due to poor marking and no back-lighting in the daytime (like my 2025)?

 

[CocoaJeff]

Good luck with your new 'Nox!

 

[AbsoluteZero]

Our 2027 Equinox (our first) replaced Subaru Crosstrek that we gave to our struggling son. We wanted something a little larger than the Crosstrek. With less than 2000 miles our impression are possitive. We drive mostly open highway and the mileage is in the high 20's. Interior noise is lower than the Crosstrek. I think it was one of first 2027s the dealer had in stock. The wife fell in love with the color, new for 2027.... Autumn Harvest Metalic. She calls the color Baby Poop Brown!
Replying to 2025 Red Equinox's question... I rarely look at the switches. My cell phone holder obsures most to them. The AC temp and blower speed I can access by feel. I like the knobs.
Enjoy and hope you experience are more favorable

 

[dequardo]

Does it still not go into 8th gear?

 

[penright]

On your 2027 - Are the two rows of switches below the center screen still very difficult to see due to poor marking and no back-lighting in the daytime (like my 2025)?

The interior is identical to the 2025

 

[penright]

Does it still not go into 8th gear?

I am not sure. At first glance, it seems smother, should be the same as the 25 RS. Maybe different programming? Will report back after some more drive time.

EDIT 8/31/2026:After putting some more miles on it over the weekend, it is definitely smoother. Hard to describe, but on my '25 you really had to feather the pedal—it would rev up and shift hard unless you hunted for that exact "sweet spot" where it would shift smoothly. The '27 doesn't seem nearly as touchy. That said, we're dealing with a little 4-cylinder that relies completely on the turbo to do the heavy lifting. Looking at a Tahoe getting 16 MPG versus the Equinox getting 26, I can live with not winning drag races to 70.

Back to your original question on 8th gear: I'm pretty sure it is hitting top gear (honestly, I think my old one did too). At 70–80 MPH, it cruises with low RPMs—the new one sits nicely under 2,000 RPM at 70+ MPH.

 

[Lee]

Did auto correct change RS to Ranch?

 

[penright]

change RS to Ranch?

I can see why you would think that.

It was attempted humor. As in not just one gremlin but a herd of them.
You know why they call it attempted humor, because it didn't make it.

 

[2025 Red Equinox]

The interior is identical to the 2025

You may want to check the four door panel bolts listed on this TSB (includes 2027 models): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11036221-0001.pdf

When I checked mine (panel was rattling) - all four bolts were loose and I could remove them with my fingers. They require a 7mm socket.

 

[PoManNox]

I'm glad it worked out for you. Hopefully the 2027 treats you better.

I cant say enough good things about my 2021 1.5 LT AWD. I'm closing in on 83k miles and she's been perfect

Did GM take away the auto stop/start on this model by chance? Reason I ask is I recently bought a low mile used 2026 Mazda CX-50 and it has no auto stop/start (which I am thrilled about).

 

[2025 Red Equinox]

I'm glad it worked out for you. Hopefully the 2027 treats you better.

I cant say enough good things about my 2021 1.5 LT AWD. I'm closing in on 83k miles and she's been perfect

Did GM take away the auto stop/start on this model by chance? Reason I ask is I recently bought a low mile used 2026 Mazda CX-50 and it has no auto stop/start (which I am thrilled about).

According to the 2027 Chevrolet order guide - the auto stop-start system is standard on the 2027 Equinox.

 

[penright]

ou may want to check the four door panel bolts listed on this TSB (includes 2027 models): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11036221-0001.pdf

Traveling for a few days, will check when I return and let you know.

 

[penright]

Did GM take away the auto stop/start on this model by chance?

Haven't really messed with the auto stop/start yet, but it's on my list to check.

What did catch my eye is the ’27 finally added surround camera recording—something people on the forums have been wanting for years. Still figuring out if it does security/theft events or just front-end dashcam duty, but it's a cool feature. Just need to find a micro low-profile USB drive so it isn't sticking out of the console port waiting to get snapped off.

 

[AbsoluteZero]

According to the 2027 Chevrolet order guide - the auto stop-start system is standard on the 2027 Equinox.

 

[penright]

According to the 2027 Chevrolet order guide - the auto stop-start system is standard on the 2027 Equinox.

Yeah, I figured as much. I was holding out hope there might be an option in the infotainment menus to toggle it off permanently, but with EPA window-sticker MPG numbers tied directly to that system, GM is never going to hand us that switch from the factory.

Looks like we’re still stuck with either hitting the dash button every single time we start the car, or looking into an aftermarket bypass harness like the Autostop Eliminator down the road.

 

[dequardo]

If you are at or below 2000rpm over 70 then indeed it seems as if they finally fixed it. Now WTH they don’t offer a fix for 25 and 26 owners is something they should all be asking.