278 Total complaints
20 Crash reports
6 Fire reports
9 Injury reports
Quick answer: The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 278 consumer-submitted complaints in our database. The most common complaint categories are service brakes, fuel/propulsion system, engine. Enriched records show 20 crash reports, 6 fire reports, and 9 injury reports.
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.

Buyer interpretation

How to use these complaints before buying

Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.

Complaint volume

278 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.

Pattern to inspect

The most common categories are service brakes, fuel/propulsion system, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.

Severity flags

Enriched records include 20 crash reports, 6 fire reports, 9 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.

Mileage clue

Mileage is available on 78 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 33,548 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have you had any problems related to service brakes, fuel/propulsion system, engine?
  • Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
  • Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
  • Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Used-car checklist

Use these complaints before the test drive.

Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.

How severe are the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox complaints?

Enriched complaint indicators from official bulk records.

20 Crash
6 Fire
9 Injury
1 Fatality
27 Towed
7 Medical attention

Mileage at failure is available on 78 complaints ; average reported mileage is 33,548 miles.

Most common incident states: IL (2), OH (2), AZ (1), FL (1), MI (1), MN (1), MT (1), NC (1).

What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Equinox complaint categories?

278 total complaints on record

Latest complaints

Showing 176-200 of 278 complaints.

Date Component Summary Severity Mileage
Apr 2023 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the contact had to apply pressure and pumped the brake pedal approximately ten to fifteen times before the vehicle stopped. The contact then engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to Tires Plus where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had exploded and caused damage to the camshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was scheduled to take the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000
Incident: Apr 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Towed 80,000
Apr 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM My 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, while accelerating, will give off a Service Warning "ESC", along with flashing check engine light, and continuous lighted oil & traction control. Once I pull over, shut the car down and restart it goes away. This happens at least once a month, and is very scary. I had taken it to the dealership before my warranty ended, and all they did was change a spark plug. This is a huge issue for a car that is less than 3 years old.
Incident: Apr 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Apr 2023 POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 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.
Incident: Apr 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Apr 2023 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Vehicle failed to start while parked at a retail store. Vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet Dealer. Diagnosis revealed a fault fuel pump control module. Dealer declared the part not under warranty. Owner paid $566 for repair. GM Bulletin PIP5719A shows Identical failures being reported on a variety of models with a variety of engines. The problem appears to have been corrected with the 2021 model year. Owner feels the faulty fuel pump control module should be under warranty longer than 24,000 miles. Owner seeks reimbursement from the manufacturer.
Incident: Feb 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Apr 2023 SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE The brakes stop working
Incident: Apr 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 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.
Incident: Jul 2020
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2023 ENGINE i’ve been experiencing not one or twice but more than 5 times. when i’m about to stop my car stalled and can’t even used my hazard light which is not safe in the dark area. hope nhtsa will see this one to avoid future accident. oh brake sensor is already been replaces by the dealer last year. but it still keep on stalling.
Incident: Feb 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2023 SERVICE BRAKES The P0556 code gets stored when the PCM has detected a problem with the brake booster pressure sensor circuit because of abnormal feedback. Braking distance significantly affected by brake pedal becoming difficult to depress. Cause is the brake booster vacuum pump. Internet reports indicate multiple vehicle types during the late 20-teens and early 2020s. Problems are occurring during or shortly after warranty expiration. This is a very dangerous problem that could cause serious injury.
Incident: Feb 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2023 WHEELS VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT WEAR OUT PREMATURELY,NHTSA ISSUED A WARNING TO CHEVY SEE CHEVY BULLETIN NUMBERED 19-NA-078,CHEVY NEVER NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THESE CARS OF THE DEFECT,THIS SAME TIRE THE MICHELIN LTX HAD BEEN RECALLED MANY TIMES SINCE 2012,YET CHEVY CONTINUED TO USE THESE TIRES ON THERE LEASED VEHICLES, KNOWING BY THE TIME THE LEASE WAS UP THE TIRE WOULD BE REPLACED ANYHOW,HOWEVER THEY DID REALIZE THE TIRES WOULD WEAR DOWN EVEN QUICKER THEN THEY THOUGHT.WE CONTACTED OUR CHEVY DEALER, WHO TOLD US THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL,AND GAVE US A HARD TIME ABOUT GETTING THESES TIRES REPLACED.WE HAVE PUSHED CHEVY INTO FINALLY GETTING A APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS,ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LONG PROCEDURE TO DO THIS,AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR MORE,TO CHANGE TIRES? ACCORDING TO CHEVYS OWN BULLETIN,MAXIMUM TIME TO DO THIS WOULD BE 90 MINUTES FOR ALL FOUR TIRES.I HAVE PICTURES AND DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID,CHEVY IS RUNNING A SCAM ,AND NHTSA NEEDS TO CALL THEM ON IT.
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2023 ENGINE The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loud pop from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, and she was able to coast off to the side of the road. The contact stated that she attempted to restart the vehicle, but only heard a clicking sound when she would depress the START/STOP button. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the vacuum pump had seized, causing the pistons to continue running which severely damaged the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Towed 106,000
Jan 2023 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 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.
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2023 ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM They finished oil in 2000 miles and doesn’t appear any warning
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2023 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Vehicle had 3 warning go off while driving. Vehicle engine is shaking. It decelerate and I couldn’t go over 35. No power going up hill. Traction controls shut off, check engine, and SEC service came on. Now messages of braking system and emission from on star. Had a similar incident over thanksgiving and I was told I needed an oil change because there was low oil. My car was at 58% for oil change. Now I’m at 83% and it shouldn’t need oil. There have been multiple issues with lag time from pushing the gas to engaging. This vehicle has had more issue than any other Chevy I have owned. Transmission seals off the lot. This is not building confidence in safety at all.
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2022 ENGINE The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving into her driveway, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated shifted into park(P) and then turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired and was awaiting a scheduled service appointment at the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,500.
Incident: Dec 2022
Crash: No Fire: No 27,500
Dec 2022 SERVICE BRAKES The brake vacuum pump went bad while driving the car
Incident: Dec 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Nov 2022 STEERING I was driving out in the country on 1-41 towards West Union. The steering tightened up and came up with a sensor that said Power steering ESC. The car went offroad due to the steering tightening from the power steering going out in the vehicle. I contacted the dealer, Mike Castrucci Chevrolet, and they told me that I would have to pay for any problems with this vehicle and I have only had the vehicle for 3 weeks. I put $2000 down on this vehicle and now am in a deathtrap due to this issue. The vehicle only has 60,800 miles and feel now that this issue could put my life and others at risk due to a faulty steering issue. I do not understand why this vehicle has driven beautifully to this point and yet there are many Chev Malibus that have that problem. How long will it take before someone recognizes this problem. There were no warnings before and I could have gotten myself and my friend killed in this car driving at night in the country. I spoke with an AutoZone representative and he said that he had a Chev Malibu with the same issue. They discovered that it was the power steering motor having to do with the traction control. I guess that I will be forced to keep driving this vehicle, and if there is an accident, then I should hold liability to be General Motors and Mike Castrucci Chevrolet who refuse to fix this car. When I took the vehicle, I was promised that they would stand by their car. I am getting no help with this situation. However, this is my only vehicle so I will keep this on the road until this is resolved. If you should wish to contact me, my number is [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Incident: Nov 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2022 AIR BAGS side impact from another vehicle damaging left front and rear doors including pillar panel
Incident: Oct 2022
Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Unknown
Oct 2022 ENGINE 1.Vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft failed. 2.No, service center kept the parts. 3.Vehicle stopped operating while driving putting driver, passengers and public safety at risk. 4.Yes, the problem was confirmed by service center. 5.Yes, Vehicle/components were inspected by dealership/service center. 6.No, no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. 7. First appeared on 10-09-2022
Incident: Oct 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2022 POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE Engine power reduced keeps appearing Check engine light still on after oil change Oil is always empty after an oil change Leaking oil gasket
Incident: Oct 2022
Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed Unknown
Oct 2022 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE Adaptive Cruise control, and Automatic emergency Braking intermittently fail to function.
Incident: Sep 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Oct 2022 SERVICE BRAKES My brake pedal became hard as a rock requiring all of the leg strength I had to stop vehicle followed by a Brake Booster warning light and an email from OnStar. My concern here is GM eliminated that foot/hand operated emergency/parking brake leaving no backup method to stop in an emergency. Women, for the most part, and inexperienced drivers would not have the strength or knowledge to push on the brake pedal as hard as possible to stop the vehicle. Once they pushed with normal pressure and the vehicle didn't stop there would be an accident. In my case I was traveling at 45 mph in congested multi lane traffic on the inside of four lanes when traffic suddenly stopped leaving me about 2 seconds to react.
Incident: Oct 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2022 UNKNOWN OR OTHER My vehicle’s star is being illegally tapped into and accessed on a regular basis with individuals using a coding method and/or a device. I have made numerous attempts to prevent this by purchasing rfid pouches, clothes to avoid key fob intrusion. This has access has also opened the intrusion to my iPhones, iPads, tvs, refrigerators, etc. I ask that you start an investigation and also demand an update to these security issues. While I’m driving, the car is an open source as well as when the car is off.
Incident: May 2020
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2022 WHEELS My car notified me that i had a low tire. I put air in it. A few days later i would get another notification my tire was low I had a slow leak in my tire. Took tire into tire shop and was told my rim was cracked on the inside. I am still under factory warranty. I called the dealership and was told to bring the rim/tire and the vehicle in so they could take pictures of the crack in the rim, the car and the vin #. The service tech submitted everything to GM. GM denied the claim and said it was not a defect on their end. The dealership offered to order a new rim at our cost of $938.50 and would be available the next day.
Incident: Aug 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2022 STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Computer issues, dash sceen glitching freezing or not workimg correctly. Hard shifting and idling. Steer asist reduced msg. Gears geeting stuck
Incident: Jun 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Aug 2022 UNKNOWN OR OTHER I own a 2020 Equinox with a VIN of 2GNAXUEV1L6226983 and is still covered under the manufacture warranty. I am experiencing the technical issues reported in the Service Bulletin concerning the climate control odor when the engine restarts which affects 2020 to 2022 model year Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. I have contacted both the dealership I purchased the vehicle from and the General Motors Customer Service Hotline. Both have indicated to me that my VIN is not listed on the Service Bulletin and that I would have to pay out of pocket for the correction.
Incident: Apr 2020
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown

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