General Motors is recalling 81,177 Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years because their pedestrian alert systems may not meet federal sound requirements, potentially putting walkers at risk.
The issue affects models built between July 22, 2024, and December 16, 2025, according to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles could fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141, which mandates minimum exterior sounds for hybrid and electric models.
The defect involves incorrect software calibration in the pedestrian alert sound system, which may not produce the required relative volume change as the vehicle accelerates from a standstill to 10 km/h (6.2 mph). As a result, pedestrians might struggle to audibly detect if an approaching vehicle is accelerating or decelerating under certain conditions, heightening the chance of injury.
The problem stems from variable sound volumes that dip below the standard’s thresholds in that low-speed range. No warnings appear to drivers, and GM reported no related crashes, injuries, or field incidents.
The recall focuses on the Pedestrian Alert Sound Control Module, part number 13553593. It was triggered by internal testing linked to a prior investigation under NHTSA recall 25V639. On September 30, 2025, a GM engineer flagged the issue through the company’s Speak Up For Safety program after a 2025 Equinox EV failed compliance checks.
GM launched a formal probe on November 18, 2025, finding that while 2025 and 2026 software calibrations differ, both could violate the volume change rule. These differ from the 2024 model’s calibration and the fix applied in the earlier recall.
The company’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority approved the recall on December 11. Production at GM’s assembly plant was temporarily halted on December 16, with updated software scheduled for implementation when output resumes in January 2026.
To address the problem, GM will reprogram the body control module software. Eligible vehicles can receive the update wirelessly over-the-air if owners have agreed to the terms, or at a dealership. The revised calibrations will ensure proper volume adjustments to satisfy the standard.
GM notified dealers on December 18, the same day the recall was submitted under NHTSA number 25V878 and manufacturer code N252530690. Owner letters are scheduled to mail starting on February 2, 2026, with vehicle identification numbers searchable starting on December 18, 2025.
Since affected vehicles remain under warranty, no reimbursement program is offered. This recall action applies solely to Equinox EV variants; other Equinox models are unaffected.
