2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 308 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 20 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Child seat, vehicle latch anchorMay 11, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Campaign 23V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 29, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Campaign 20V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperOct 3, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake calipers, including the brake hose gasket, brake fluid and wheel to hub lubricant, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192270920.
Campaign 19V704000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblySep 19, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192271870.
Campaign 19V667000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
41 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2023
vehicle STALLED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM STOP. STRUGGLED TO RESTART AFTER STALLING. believed FUEL PROBLEM BECAUSE ENGINE TURNING OVER WHEN START BUTTON PUSHED BUT NOT SOUNDING LIKE STARTED LIKE NO IGNITION IN ENGINE. when IT DID START IT STALLED AGAIN. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE, VEHICLE STARTED. Several days later car soppt
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 14, 2023
This vehicle starts glitching after exposure to rain. All of the gauges start going up and down, and every action required message pops up one after the other stating "Fuel Level Low, Shift to Park, Park Assist Off, All Wheel Drive System, Service Power Steering, ESC". The vehicle does this while driving at low to high speeds, even on the highways it has happened, the brakes are hard to push in while this is happening. This puts me and others in high danger if I cannot control the vehicle while driving. I have taken the vehicle in over 6 times to the service department of GM and not one time has anything been done. They have been unsuccessful in duplicating the problem every time I've brought it in even when it is occurring.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 11, 2023
The equinox completely lost power (engine AND electrical) turned off while the vehicle was in drive on the road. Once at a complete stop, I pushed the brake and start button. The car attempted to start for a few seconds (clicking sound) then finally started back up. This is a major safety concern. Luckily I was able to get the car running again with no issues but if it had not turned back on, I would have been stranded on the road with no power to even put my emergency caution lights on. Thankfully I was not on the expressway going the speed limit or at a busy intersection. I could have been in a car accident because I was stalled with zero power to the entire vehicle. The vehicle was eventually towed to a Chevrolet dealership and the ECM was reprogrammed and the vehicle is back in my possession.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that there was water intrusion into the passenger’s side taillight. The contact was made aware of TSB: 22-NA-170 and related the failures to the battery and taillight. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2023
Onstar module being manipulated and used while car is parked and off. The radio station is changed to a Asian language when car is turned on. The camera are also being manipulated while car is off. Apps are being installed and utilized by other users through the dashboard. and the stability tracker automatically turns on after 35 mph even when turning option off.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2022, crash
Engine power reduced keeps appearing Check engine light still on after oil change Oil is always empty after an oil change Leaking oil gasket
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 9, 2022
Computer issues, dash sceen glitching freezing or not workimg correctly. Hard shifting and idling. Steer asist reduced msg. Gears geeting stuck
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 11, 2022
March 8, 2022 Purchased the 2020 Chevy Equinox March 23, 2022 The car was jerking while driving making it dangerous. I tried to bring it to the service department but was told to leave the car which I did from 7:00 am -4:00 pm and no diagnosis within that time. March 30, 2022 Dropped the car off at Autonation Chevy Pembroke Pines April 5, 2022- Shev service advisor states the converter in the transmission needs to be replaced. April 19, 2022- Picked up car April 20, 2022 Car is jerking EVEN WORSE WHILE DRIVING!!! April 22, 2022 Car is BACK IN THE CHEVY SERVICE department April 30, 2022 Told to pick up car and now the problem was a FUEL PUMP IN THE ENGINE May 2, 2022 Picked up car, drove one block car is still jerking while driving (UNSAFE) May 6, 2022- Service manager states car is jerking and not only jerking it STALLED while driving with him!!!! As a matter of fact, it has a history of 5 service repairs where it stalled. This information WAS NOT disclosed to me. This car is not SAFE!!! The car is still in the service department. I DO NOT want that car. I want a car that is SAFE!!! REPLACEMENT CAR!!!
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2022
The issue is not consistent so dealership will not be able to solve the issue. No warning lights. No components have not been inspected by manufacturer. Issue occurs when it wants to. When in auto stop and vechile wants to start back up, vechile loses all power, windshield wipers turn on for few seconds then vechile starts back up. Seems like a reset. This is very dangerous when sitting at Inersections. This is happened several times.
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving and making a left turn, the turn signal failed to operate as designed. The contact also noticed the center console screen went black and flickered off and on until she arrived at her residence. The contact stated the failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. An unknown software was updated however, a month later the failure recurred with the screen. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The dealer had replaced the radio console to fix the issue however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,688.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2021
I WAS DRIVING RADIO WENT BLACK COULD NOT TURN RADIO UP OR DOWN EVEN WHEN I TURNED IT OFF THE RADIO STAYED ON. THEN ON 3/23/2021 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE SUV JERKED A FEW TIME MADE A NOISE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS BLINKING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2020
STARTING OCTOBER 26, 2020 I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING MY CAR RADIO SHUTTING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON. WHEN THE RADIO RANDOMLY TURNS OFF, IT DISCONNECTS MY BLUETOOTH AND MUSIC STOPS PLAYING. TODAY ALONE I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE HAPPEN TO ME 7 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 35 MINUTES. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE, BUT I WOULD LIKE A RESOLUTION CONSIDERING THAT I"M THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S STILL BRAND NEW.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2020
RECEIVED THIS NOTICE ON 9/23/2020 WITH LESS THAT 400 MILES DRIVEN, BOOKED APPOINTMENT WITH SERVICE AND HAD BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF 1.5 HOUR REQUIRED TEST DETERMINED IT WAS BAD. TODAY, 9/30/2020 WITH LESS THAT 50 ADDITIONAL MILES DRIVEN, I RECEIVED THE MESSAGE AGAIN. MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM ONSTAR IS AS FOLLOWS. DEAR HENRY WILLCOX, YOUR 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX DETECTS A BATTERY SHORTED CELL. THE BATTERY IS NEEDED TO START THE VEHICLE. TO AVOID A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN'T START YOUR VEHICLE, PLEASE SCHEDULE SERVICE WITH YOUR PREFERRED SERVICE PROVIDER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THEY CAN REPLACE YOUR BATTERY. YOU CAN STILL DRIVE YOUR CHEVROLET BUT IT MAY BECOME HARDER TO START. AND IF THE BATTERY DOES FAIL, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN FOR SERVICE (AS THIS COULD BE A FALSE NOTIFICATION IF THE VEHICLE IS IN FOR SERVICE AND THE SERVICE BEING PERFORMED AFFECTS THIS COMPONENT). SERVICE CODE SAC001 WILL BE BOOKING SECOND SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR FIRST OPPORTUNITYASAP.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2020
I TOOK THIS 4 WEEK OLD CAR IN TO AUTONATION CHEV AUSTIN FOR AN ESV LIGHT THAT STARTED APPEARING SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN ON AUG 10 AND THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO TELL ME THE CAR WAS READY. I DROVE IT FOR 4 MINUTES AND HAD TO TAKE IT RIGHT BACK TO THEM AND IT HAS NOW BEEN THERE 8 DAYS. NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A SIMPLE PROGRAMMING PROBLEM - REALLY - WHY DO THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST FEATURE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT THE CONTACT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE INTENDED LANE, DESPITE THE CONTACT BEING WITHIN THE LANE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE SYSTEM WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE TO INDICATE THE VEHICLE DEPARTED THE LANE HOWEVER, THE FEATURE ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE LANE. LOU BOCHRODT AUTO MALL (7070 CHERRYVALE N BLVD, ROCKFORD, IL 61112, (815) 332-3000) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2019
IN -13 DEGREE FARENHEIT, THE VEHICLE LOCKED ME OUT. KEY FOB LEFT INSIDE VEHICLE FOR 45 MIN, ENGINE OFF, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. REMOTE START FROM INSIDE BUILDING DID NOT WORK DUE TO FOB IN CAR. ONCE I ARRIVED BACK A THE VEHICLE I FOUND THE DOORS LOCKED, DOOR HANDLE UNLOCK BUTTON UNRESPONSIVE WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE FAILED TO UNLOCK WHILE I STOOD OUTSIDE IN -13 DEGREE WEATHER, COMPLETELY UNSAFE, FOR 5 MIN. I TRIED ALL DOORS AND TRIED UNLOCKING FROM PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS NO UNLOCKING SOUND WHEN PRESSING THE DOOR BUTTONS. I TRIED THE CHEVY APP TO UNLOCK STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT UNLOCK IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A MINUTE OR LONGER DELAY THE LOCKING MECHANISM STARTED TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE RANDOMLY WITHOUT ME PRESSING BUTTONS ON THE DOOR OR APP. EACH TIME I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT SUCCESS. ON THE LAST CLICK I WAS ABLE TO SUDDENLY OPEN THE DOOR. 2530 ODOMETER READING.