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
308 reports, newest first.
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist and brake assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake module to be replaced. The brake module was replaced, and the brake fluid was flushed. The vehicle was repaired but experienced failure the following day. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shoulder nut on the brake module to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced failure while leaving the dealer. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,418. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BAD BATTERY.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2021, crash
While having the right of way driving thru an intersection, going approximately 40 mph, another vehicle disregarded a stop sign and t-boned my vehicle on the drivers side. My vehicle was pushed off the road and came to rest in a ditch. Impact was directly on the drivers side door which sustained severe damage. My vehicle also sustained damage to front corner panel along with damage to the rear driver side door. Driver side-impact curtain airbag did not deploy on my vehicle. My vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance company. The at faults front end sustained severe damage and driver and passenger front airbags both deployed.
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2021
We purchased the car with an option package the specifically included fog lights. Because of local weather conditions and reduced driving related to the pandemic, we never had the need to use the fog lights. Recently, we were driving in the Finger Lake region of New York at night when fog started to form. That's when we realized the car was built with no fog light switch. Since returning home, I checked another car like it in the neighborhood. It too was built with fog lights and no fog light switch. I checked with GM and they indicated that there should be a specific control button to turn the fog lights on and off. It would be nice to be able to use the equipped fog lights when driving conditions include fog.
Tires, Sep 2, 2021
These tires came on my brand new car that is less than a year old (21000 miles). I went for an oil change and the dealership told me I have 3/32nds on my tires! Bridgestone new about the rapid wear of these tires but never sent out any kind of notification about it. My dealership had a bulletin about the tires premature wearing. (#20-NA-159) Bridgestone said they are offering to cover 40% of replacement cost if I get the same tires otherwise they aren't giving anything.....I would NEVER EVER get these tires on my car.
Engine, Aug 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 20 mph with the steering wheel locked. The ESC message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact continued to drive to the residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as water leaking into the engine which caused the electronic failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Jul 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started to shake and then stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact started the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact stated that the check engine warning light disappeared the following morning. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The contact also called Feldman Chevrolet Of Livonia (32570 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150, (734)237-1006) and notified the dealer of the failure. The contact stated that on July 27, 2021, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact called a third local dealer George Matick Chevrolet (14001 Telegraph Rd, Redford Charter Twp, MI 48239, (313) 332-7572) and made them aware of the failure. The contact stated that she experienced the failure again on July 28, 2021. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,600.
Engine, Jul 27, 2021
The check engine light keeps coming on and off right after I had an oil change. Now my engine shimmers or vibrates in a funny way. This vehicle is not even two years old.
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.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 12, 2021, crash, fire
Back in early October 2020, vehicle had about 2000 miles on it. I noticed that when I started up the vehicle The Brake Assist Service message came on the brakes were spongy and had vibrating feel. I drove about a half of a mile and the problem stopped. The engine light came on and stayed on but then went out. Everything was ok for about two weeks when it did it again light came on took it a dealer but light went off. They serviced the vehicle and seem that the problem had stopped. Then in Early April of 2021 it happened again. Took it to the same dealership, they replace some more parts. Week or two weeks later same issue. Took it back to the dealership. They replaced the engine control module. During all these times, an engine light would soon follow after the message about the brake assist message. Thought it was fixed. On June 14 2021 at 1:14PM started my vehicle up the SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST message came on called the dealership. The brakes were vibrating and were not smooth. I stopped and turned off the vehicle and restarted the vehicle message went away brakes appeared to be fine. This time however no engine came on. Dealership was willing to service the vehicle but if the engine light wasn't on it would hard to diagnosed. I took a picture of the message before it had clear. On July 8th 2021, at 2:08PM, I started my vehicle and the SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST message came on. I took a photo of it. I tested the brakes appear to be ok. Turned the vehicle off the message didn't show again. My son borrow the vehicle and he got into an accident the same day approximately 6 hours. He swerved to avoid hitting a deer. He said that brakes appeared not to slow him down. He left roadway and struck a tree head on. The vehicle caught fire and he was lucky to escape. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and crash. Not putting blame on anyone because I know there were other contributing factors to the accident . I just wanted to report this because of past problems with GM.
Power train, Jul 12, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after parking, turning the engine off, and exiting the vehicle it was later discovered that the vehicle had erroneously rolled backward and crashed into a second vehicle that was parked. No injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 3,800.
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving downhill at approximately 20-30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle instead independently accelerated and crashed through an electric gate. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the passenger’s side of the vehicle was severely damaged causing approximately $6,000 in damages to the vehicle and the electric gate. The vehicle was repaired, and the passenger’s side door was replaced. The contact stated that two days after the vehicle was picked up from the repair shop, while attempting to reverse out of a parking spot, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The contact stated that the vehicle slowly stopped and that the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,400. The Vin was invalid.
Power train, Jun 7, 2021
My car has been shaking upon acceleration since I bought it in December 2019. I've had it to Apple Chevrolet in Red Lion, PA 4 times for the same issue. They documented that this is a manufacturer issue with my model and are working on a solution. They also documented that my axels are going bad, but not bad enough to fix and I was told to "drive my car until it get's worse and bring it back."
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 14, 2021
AIR FLOW INTO THE FULL BODY THROTTLE DETACHING
Engine, Apr 5, 2021
ON MARCH 27, 2021 ENGINE RANDOMLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' NOTIFICATION CAME ON. EVEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND HAD TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON GAS TO GET IT TO BACK UP BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE BACK. WHEN I WAS COMING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN TURNING ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND THE CARS HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEHIND ME. DRIVING WAS ROUGH, WAS FEELING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAKDOWN. I GOT THE CAR FIXED APRIL 1-2, 2021. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON APRIL 4, 2021.
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
Service brakes, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 22, 2021
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, RECEIVED "SERVICE ESC" WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD WITH 4 "LIGHTS" ON THE DASHBOARD. ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL, AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT. LANE KEEP ASSIST HAS BEEN DISABLED, FRONT COLLISION WARNING HAS BEEN DISABLED, AND FRONT PEDESTRIAN BRAKING HAS BEEN DISABLED. ALL OF THESE LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WILL TURN OFF FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND TURN BACK ON.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 19, 2021
I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CAR STALLING, THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING. WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THERE WAS ALSO SHAKING. AFTER THE CAR WOULD GET GOING, THE SHAKING WOULD STOP, BUT WHENEVER I STOPPED THE PROBLEM WOULD PERSIST. I HAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW FOR 4 DAYS. THEY ARE TELLING ME THE MOTOR SEEMS TO BE CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL AND THAT THE MOTOR IS SHOT, THEY ARE ACCUSING ME OF NOT KEEPING UP WITH OIL CHANGES, WHICH IS NOT TRUE, AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL CHANGES DONE AT THE DEALER, BUT AT ANOTHER LOCAL SHOP, BUT DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS, JUST ONE FROM THE OIL CHANGE DONE ON 3/15/2021. IS THERE ANY WAY TO CHECK THE ON-STAR SYSTEM OR COMPUTER, TO SEE THAT THE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED? THE CAR SENDS ALERTS FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LOW OIL, LOW FUEL, ETC. I NEVER RECEIVED LOW OIL MESSAGES. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REQUEST ANY COMPUTER RECORDS FOR THE CAR. THE CAR WAS LEASED IS EARLY 2020 AND SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH WITH THE RPMS REVVING UP WITHOUT THE VEHICLE RESPONDING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIM BROWNE CHEVROLET, INC. 11300 N FLORIDA AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612 WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COMPUTER NEEDED TO RELEARN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THREE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
Power train, Feb 9, 2021
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE RIGHT WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT IS WABLING AND IT DOES THR SOMETHING TURNING RIGHT UP HILL WHEN YOU STRAIGHTEN THE CAR UP IT FILLS LIKE THE WHEEL ITHE ITSS COMING OFF AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE BEATY CHEVROLET CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
Suspension, Power train, Jan 28, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE WHEN TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLE CEASED UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BOB BELL CHEVROLET (1230 BEL AIR ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21014) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER EACH VISIT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.*DT*JB
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 25, 2021
COMPLAINT: OWNER STATES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE. OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CUSTOMER AS AN UNFOUNDED COMPLAINT. REPORTER FOUND THE FOLLOWING; ALL IPC INDICATORS ARE FUNCTIONING DURING SELF TEST, NO IPC WARNING LIGHTS/MESSAGES PRESENT, DISTANCE FOLLOWING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND RECOGNIZES VEHICLES IN ITS ZONE OF INFLUENCE. REPORTER TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH CUSTOMERS ADAS SETTINGS AS DROPPED OFF. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DID MALFUNCTION AS CUSTOMER INDICATED. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ON ENGAGEMENT FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AND THEN UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING FAILED. THE MOST DISTURBING PART OF THIS FAULT IS THE ONLY WARNING THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED IS FORWARD COLLISION ALARMS. SECONDLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE UPON THIS WARNING. IF THE PRIOR WERE NOT ENOUGH, NO IPC WARNINGS OR HARD FAULTS WERE RECORDED. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGHWAY AND LOCAL SPEEDS. THIS FAULT, ALL THE MORE WORRISOME, APPEARS ALSO TO BE EITHER A PROGRAMMING ERROR OR TRANSIENT. NO OTHER DIAGNOSTICS WERE CONDUCTED. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED. HAVING PERSONALLY OWNED ADAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS AND THE CONFIDENCE OF USING THEM WITHOUT A PROBLEM THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND VERY CONCERNING.
Suspension, Structure, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S FINANCE LEASED A 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY UPON HITTING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET 112(2096 NY-112, MEDFORD, NY 11763) WHERE A MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE AN INTERIM REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE WHICH THEY WOULD RELEASE IN THE FIRST PART OF 2021. THE CONTACT THEN INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HE NO LONGER WANTED TO LEASE THE VEHICLE; THE CONTACT WAS THEN DIRECTED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND GAVE HIM THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER; THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 15, 2021
ROUGH IDLE WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND RPMS WILL FLUCTUATE. RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN TURNING ON OR ON REVERSE. BRAKES RESPONDING LATE.
Air bags, Jan 1, 2021, crash
I WAS HIT BY A CHEVROLET AVALANCHE ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT/SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 60 AND THE ROADS WERE ICY AND SNOWY. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN GOING AT LEAST 55-60MPH. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS. MY SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND HAVE ADDITIONAL INJURIES DUE TO THE IMPACT. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ACCIDENT AND LOCATION OF THE IMPACT I FEEL MY AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SO FAR THE ESTIMATE ON MY VEHICLE DAMAGES IS ANYWHERE FROM 10-15K.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2020
WHEN WE BOUGHT THE 2020 EQUINOX ON JANUARY 20, 2020 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY KEPT IT 2 DAYS DIAGNOSING IT AND IT SAID A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY CONTACTED GM ENGINEERS WHO WERE LOOKING INTO IT AND TO GO AHEAD AND DRIVE IT WITH THE LIGHT ON TILL THEY GOT BACK WITH US. IT HAS CONTINUED TO STAY ON I HAD THE CODE READ AGAIN AND IT IS A P2365 FUEL PUMP A LOW FLOW/PERFORMANCE CODE. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING IT WITH THE LIGHT ON, THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME TO, NOT HEARING ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM, THE REMOTE START WILL NOT WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON WHICH IS A MAIN REASON WE BOUGHT IT.