The fourth-generation Equinox arrived for 2025 with the familiar 1.5-liter turbo, a CVT on front-drive models and an eight-speed automatic with AWD. It's a big step up inside. It also brought a new problem that keeps showing up in owner complaints: a battery that's dead every few days.
What owners are reporting
When we checked NHTSA, the 2025 Equinox had 233 complaints, and 52 of them mention OnStar or the telematics module. (That count includes some Equinox EV owners filed under the same name, so read it as a rough signal.) The stories are very similar:
- "OnStar module faulty causing parasitic battery drain"
- A battery that tested at 0.03 volts at the dealer after the module failed
- Owners needing jump starts every few days while the part sat on backorder
- A battery replaced, then dead again because the module kept draining it
What GM is doing about it
In April 2026, GM released service update N262547330 for a long list of vehicles, including the 2025-2026 Equinox and Equinox EV. It says the telematics module can "enter an unrecoverable state." The fix is reprogramming the module, sometimes several times because it may be several software versions behind, and some vehicles get a new module. It's a service update, not a safety recall, so dealers do it when you bring the car in.
Earlier in 2026, many owners were told the module was on national backorder. If that's you, ask the dealer for a loaner and write down every visit.
Drain or bad battery? How to tell
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Dead after sitting a day or two, fine after a jump | Parasitic drain, often the telematics module |
| OnStar button blinking, app can't reach the car, wrong location in the app | Telematics module trouble |
| Slow crank every morning, no other glitches | Weak or undercharged battery |
| Dead after a body shop repair or new accessory | Wiring or an add-on drawing power |
Easy things to try first
- Check for software updates. Some fixes arrive over the air if you've accepted GM's update terms.
- Lock the car and leave it alone. Constantly opening it keeps modules awake.
- Keep a jump pack in the cargo area until the dealer fixes it. A lithium jump pack is small and costs less than one tow.
- Use a battery maintainer if it sits for days at a time.
What it costs
| Situation | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Telematics module reprogram or replacement under warranty | $0 at a Chevy dealer |
| Battery replacement, 2025-2026 Equinox | $424 to $481 (RepairPal) |
| Battery replacement at a dealer, 2025 Equinox | $357 to $419 (KBB, parts $232 to $272, labor $125 to $147) |
| Battery replacement, 2018-2024 Equinox | $363 to $392 (RepairPal) |
A battery killed by a defective module should be replaced under warranty too. Ask the dealer to note that the module caused the failure.
What to ask the dealer
- "Is service update N262547330 open on my VIN, and has it been completed?"
- "Did you test for parasitic draw after the car went to sleep?"
- "Is my battery being replaced under warranty since the module drained it?"
- "Can I get a loaner while the part is on order?"
Is it worth fixing?
Yes, and it should cost you nothing on a 2025 model. The battery is just the victim here. Make sure the dealer fixes the module, not just the battery, or you'll be back in a week.
More Equinox help is on the Chevy Equinox repair page. Brakes squeaking too? See our Equinox brake pad cost guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
