2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 306 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, most often about brakes. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 306
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 21
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 12
- Median mileage
- 18,850 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 108 of 306 complaints (35%).
- Engine (97) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (56) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 18,850 mi.
- Owners reported 21 crashes, 7 fires and 12 injuries.
- The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 4 recalls on file.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 22 Chevrolet Equinox model years we track.
- That is 26% more complaints than the 2019 model year (242).
2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems by category
- Brakes · 8 crashes108 complaints
- Engine · 3 crashes97 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash56 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash44 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash41 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 3 crashes37 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 4 crashes23 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash14 complaints
- Steering · 2 crashes13 complaints
- Suspension10 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 1 crash8 complaints
- Body & Structure · 2 crashes8 complaints
- Airbags · 7 crashes8 complaints
- Lighting5 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes4 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers3 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service brakes | 97 |
| Engine | 88 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 49 |
| Unknown or other | 41 |
| Electrical system | 40 |
| Power train | 37 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 |
| Steering | 11 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (4)
- CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
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."
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2020 Chevrolet Equinox complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026MICrashTowedAirbags
None of the airbags deployed in an accident. The right front end of the car hit a utility trailer and nothing went off. The car has been deemed a total loss after being trailered to the lot and assessed by the insurance inspector.
NHTSA complaint #11769923 · source - Filed Oct 5, 202625,000 miNYElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there were persistent electrical issues with both side-view mirrors independently adjusting after the vehicle was turned off. The driver was constantly manually readjusting the mirrors while operating the vehicle. The dealer performed a software reprogram, but the failure recurred the same day. The was intermittent at first but had become a constant failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but…
NHTSA complaint #11769073 · source - Filed Sep 28, 2026NCBrakes
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 - 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes locked up. The contact turned into a nearby parking lot and coasted to a stop and shifted into park(P). The contact waited a while for a co-worker, and the co-worker drove the vehicle to the residence. A certified mechanic arrived and inspected the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that the brake booster had failed and…
NHTSA complaint #11767327 · source - Filed Sep 24, 2026OHEngine
I've spent $1000 on repairs to my turbo and now have to replace the whole thing. While looking online I've seen many people are having the same issue with the 2020 model. Almost every car has to replace the turbo between 60,000-80,000 miles which seems ridiculous.
NHTSA complaint #11766761 · source - Filed Sep 22, 202651,000 miGAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, but initially the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to drive to the residence, but the vehicle failed to restart. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and identified a failure with the fuel pump module, Part Number: 13565338, as the cause of the failure. General Motors was contacted by phone and informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage…
NHTSA complaint #11766071 · source - Filed Sep 14, 2026COEngine
Vehicle began sputtering suddenly while driving 40mph. "Reduced Engine Power" warning appeared on dash. While trying to limp it home, the vehicle died in the middle of a turning lane. Pushed vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to a shop. Their notes attached below. Technician Notes: Customer concern verified with DTCs P0014 (Exhaust Camshaft Position System Performance) and P0017 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible). Upon removing the exhaust cam position…
NHTSA complaint #11764088 · source - Filed Sep 10, 2026LABrakesElectrical SystemEngine
While operating my vehicle, I experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the power-assisted braking system. The brake pedal completely lost hydraulic pressure, plunging effortlessly all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to respond to normal foot-pedal application. Emergency stopping power was only achieved by pushing the pedal into the absolute floorboard, which engaged an emergency mechanical override and forced the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) pump into a…
NHTSA complaint #11763379 · source - Filed Sep 3, 2026109,000 miOHAcceleration & Cruise Control
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that occasionally while at a red light or while stopped, the vehicle hesitated for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to move while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to retrieve a fault code. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and an email was sent to the president of GM. The failure…
NHTSA complaint #11761934 · source
Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox with another vehicle →
Other 2020 Chevrolet models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology