2020 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems owners report most

2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems are documented in public: owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2019 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the brakes clearly first, at 115 of the 318 complaints, close to a third of everything filed.

A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 36 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.

Against the 2019 car, this model year has drawn 3 per cent more complaints (318 against 310). The 2019 car was led by its engine instead, so the pattern shifted between the two years.

Of those complaints, 21 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Filers reported 12 injuries. One complaint reports a death.

Recalls on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 4 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.

In owners own words

These are complaints filed about the brakes, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.

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. W

I purchased this vehicle as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from George Moore Chevrolet in Jacksonville, Florida, in October 2023. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 35,000 miles, and it now has approximately 60,000 miles. I have maintained all recommended service intervals and oil changes as required. On June 14, 2025, while stopped at a traffic signal with my foot on the brake pedal, the pedal suddenly sank to the floor, causing the vehicle to roll forward into traffic unexpectedly. I was able to place the vehicle in neutral and then park to prevent a collision. After turn

This past weekend, while driving my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, I experienced a sudden and complete brake failure. I was turning into a residential neighborhood at approximately 20-30mph when the brakes locked up without warning. Despite pressing the brake pedal, the car would not stop. I attempted to shift into park, but the vehicle continued to roll forward. I had to engage the emergency brake, which caused the car to come to an immediate stop. Thankfully, there were no cars in front of me, but I came dangerously close to hitting a cement wall head-on. This created a serious risk to my safety a

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, I was driving home from a neurology appointment with my two daughters, including my child with special needs. I intentionally chose not to take the expressway and instead drove a lower-speed route home for safety reasons. While traveling approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Engine Power is Reduced” warning. As I attempted to safely maneuver through traffic and pull over, the brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to depress, requiring significant physical force to slow and stop the vehicle. The sudden reduction in braking assist crea

Every component, by complaint count

The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.

How other model years compare

The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has drawn the most complaints and the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox the fewest.

What to check on the brakes

Brake reports describe a pedal that goes soft or sinks, longer stopping distances, and a judder through the pedal under firm braking. Some describe the car braking by itself where an automatic system is fitted.

Buying a used 2020 Equinox

Brake hard from speed on an empty road. Pads and discs are a normal wear item and cheap to replace, so a judder is not a reason to walk away. A pedal that sinks under steady pressure is a different matter.

If you already own one

Have the fluid tested, not just the pads. Brake fluid absorbs water as it ages and a soft pedal is more often old fluid than a failed part. A fluid change costs far less than a caliper.

• Brake firmly from speed to feel for judder or a sinking pedal.
• Have the brake fluid moisture content tested.
• Check pad and disc thickness against the service limit, not by eye.
• Ask for a quote separating pads, discs, fluid and labour.