2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Tread and Belt Recall (21V612)
General Motors, LLC · 9,597 vehicles · Reported August 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC is recalling 9,597 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox; 2021 GMC Terrain; 2022 GMC Terrain NA vehicles. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation. Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V612 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V612000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N212343560 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | August 5, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox; 2021 GMC Terrain; 2022 GMC Terrain NA |
| Units affected | 9,597 |
| Component | Tires > Tread / Belt |
| Safety risk | Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox in recall 21V612?
The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Equinox with recall 21V612?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the tread and belt.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V612?
Recall 21V612 covers 9,597 vehicles: 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox; 2021 GMC Terrain; 2022 GMC Terrain NA.
NHTSA lists 9,597 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Chevrolet | Equinox |
| 2021 | GMC | Terrain |
| 2022 | GMC | Terrain NA |
What is the fix for the Equinox tread and belt recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
When was recall 21V612 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 21V612 to NHTSA on August 5, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2021 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V612000. |
| August 31, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 62 months ago. If your Equinox was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Equinox is part of recall 21V612?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V612 is open on your Equinox, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2022 Equinox vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Equinox owners do about recall 21V612?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V612000 applies to your Equinox.
- Call a Chevrolet dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any tread and belt symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Equinox owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 336 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 21V612 was reported on August 5, 2021, owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after August 5, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 336 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Chevrolet Equinox: 177 complaints in total, 3 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2021 Chevrolet Equinox: 95 complaints in total, 3 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2021 GMC Terrain: 36 complaints in total, 2 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2022 GMC Terrain NA: 28 complaints in total, 0 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, a rattling noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on various occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired.
2022 Chevrolet Equinox owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11504549, filed January 30, 2023
I was put in a rental by enterprise from a rear-end. I was involved while my car was in the shop fixing the trunk. This rental had broken window glass under the passenger seat, and the car started sounding weird when turning and driving.
2022 Chevrolet Equinox owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11649626, filed March 20, 2025
Just purchased this vehicle has about 64500 miles on it. When accelerating between 40-55 (hard acceleration) my vehicle wobbles really bad, seems like a tire issue. Have had the front end looked at, and tires all balanced and inspected. Noting out of the ordinary.
2021 GMC Terrain owner, ID, NHTSA complaint 11507301, filed February 14, 2023
Can recall 21V612 make my Equinox a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this tread and belt recall means their Equinox qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Equinox went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Equinox been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Chevrolet Equinox recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V612
Did the recall 21V612 fix work?
Since recall 21V612 was reported on August 5, 2021, owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V612000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Equinox is part of recall 21V612000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V612000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet, GMC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.