Complaint volume
295 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Chevrolet Equinox Complaints
295 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, grouped by component category.
295 Total complaints
20 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
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.
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, 7 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 80 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 36,760 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?
20 Crash
7 Fire
9 Injury
1 Fatality
28 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Equinox complaint categories?
SERVICE BRAKES 44
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 26
ENGINE 24
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13
POWER TRAIN 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 6
295 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | They finished oil in 2000 miles and doesn’t appear any warning | 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. | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,500 |
| Dec 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | The brake vacuum pump went bad while driving the car | 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). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | AIR BAGS | side impact from another vehicle damaging left front and rear doors including pillar panel | 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 | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | While driving the Brake pedal became very hard to press and stopping distance increased greatly. the check engine light and service brake light on the dash became illuminated. After looking online it became apparent that there are a lot of people with Chevrolet vehicles equipped with the 1.5L engine that had the same problem and the cause was a faulty vacuum pump. I removed the vacuum pump and it has broken pieces that have fallen off of it and are now inside of the engine and will need more engine components removed to have access to remove all of the metal fragments. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | We received a message on our in car display that said reduced engine power and the check engine light came on. We stopped, we raised the hood to investigate and there was oil all over the engine and engine compartment, as well as under the vehicle. The oil dipstick was out of its place by about 2”-2 1-2” That is where the oil came from. When I refilled the crankcase to replace the engine oil that was lost, it took about 3-3 1/2 quarts to refill (oil capacity is 4.5 quarts). When taken to the dealer for service, they said there was gasoline in the oil and that the engine oil needed to be changed. Once the oil was changed and the vehicle was test driven, the dealership said there was no gas in the oil, but gave no explanation as to what caused the oil dipstick to become raised from its normal position allowing the oil to escape. Oil and gas could cause a fire on board the vehicle. Oil could also get on the tires as well as the highway, causing a loss of traction and control of the vehicle, as well as other vehicles and drivers that ran into the oil/gas that fell from the vehicle to the road surface. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that as she slows to a stop and depresses the brake pedal the vehicle jerks and goes backward before coming to a full stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to a local dealer or mechanic and was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a constant smell of gasoline vapor in the cabin which makes the contact dizzy. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The vehicle studders, stops, stalls, and or dies upon starting the car. It is due to lack of fuel to fuel rail. The trouble it produces is P129F nothing else. Even trying to prime the vehicles fuel pump following manufacturers steps for doing so does not work. The only way I have been able to get it to have fuel to the rails (reliably) is to push it and jump in and try to start it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | I had just exited off of the highway and I was approaching the red light ahead my brakes became hard to push and they did not stop the vehicle. I ran through the red light in sheer panic. Was able to pull into a bank parking lot and when I turned the vehicle off and then back on the "brake assist" notification came up. I called my local Chevy Service but at that point I was on a trip from Fort Worth to Houston and was halfway in the middle closest to Waco. I drove it to the nearest dealership 30 miles. I had to leave the vehicle for 5 days. The diagnoses was no vacuum to brake booster pump. A total of $504. They said pumps are not included in powertrain warranty and I just passed the bumper to bumper warranty. I Had to get a hotel for the night. Then get a family member to drive 3 1/2 hours to come get me and my 2 daughters. My main concern is if anybody else had been coming through that intersection when my brakes failed it could have been a really bad accident. I had gone from a 75mph speed limit and was still going 35 mph when they stopped working. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | Vehicle intermittent brake catches, lights come sometimes, door locks open and close, engine light comes on and last time system locked completely and could get vehicle into gear. Had to have it towed. Second time into dealer service, now on 4th week and GM factory unable to determine problem and solution. Copy of my letter sent to General Motors for remedy of my Equinox problems not solved. Consumer's 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has developed multiple defects that cannot be fixed.. The brakes will suddenly catch, the lights come on on their own, door locks will lock and unlock intermittently and it will lock up so we cannot get it into gear. The engine light remains on. First in for service 4/18/22 for one week. Problem not fixed. Now in second time and dealer has had it for three weeks. GM techs have been unable to determine problem solutions... (Car interior torn apart). | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| May 2022 | STEERING | 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSTITUENT STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING DIED. THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE AND SWIPED A GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT INDICATE AN ISSUE UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE OCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE COLLISION CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL, BUT REFUSED TO SEND THE CONSUMER THE REPORT. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| May 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 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!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |