2020 Chevrolet Equinox brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V704000Oct 3, 2019166 vehicles
  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.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. Filed Jul 27, 202694,000 miKSBrakes

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the message “Service Brake Assist” warning light illuminated twice. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, causing the contact to engage the parking brake and manually shift the gear shifter to a lower gear to get the vehicle to come to a complete stop. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the check engine…

   NHTSA complaint #11753062 · source
4. Filed Jul 24, 2026NMBrakesEngine

   While driving, my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost power and shut off without warning while I was pulling into traffic. The vehicle would buzz not crank afterward but would not restart. This created a safety hazard because the unexpected engine shutdown occurred while the vehicle was in motion. This is the second brake vacuum pump failure I have experienced with this vehicle. In 2022, the brake vacuum pump failed and was found shattered internally. At that time, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11752556 · source
5. Filed Jul 19, 2026NYBrakes

   I was pulling into a parking lot off the state Thruway with the brake system failure no brakes, hard pedal, and the car would not stop

   NHTSA complaint #11751405 · source
6. Filed Jul 10, 2026GABrakes

   Brakes went stiff and hard to push no warning light. I was driving on the interstate with my daughter. Was stuck out of town with no breaks.

   NHTSA complaint #11749665 · source
7. Filed Jul 3, 2026WIBrakesEngine

   As I was coming to a stop at light my brakes became very difficult to push the pedal down to stop. It took everything in me to get the vehicle to stop before entering the intersection and oncoming traffic. I was able to get the vehicle parked safely in a nearby parking lot but then the engine wouldn't start it just kept trying to turn over. The brake assist error popped up, and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get it started again about 20 minutes later,…

   NHTSA complaint #11748127 · source
8. Filed Jul 2, 2026NJBrakes

   The vacuum pump failed and my brakes went out pedal became extremely hard to push. I was driving on the highway at the time and was lucky I had a shoulder to slow down on and finally stop. I took the car to my usually mechanic who confirmed the vacuum pump failure but referred me to the Chevy dealer because this is a known issue. The dealer confirmed the pump had blown apart( their words to me) and that there are most likely debris now in the engine. No warning lights or…

   NHTSA complaint #11747928 · source
9. Filed Jul 2, 2026111,000 miOHTowedBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed and there was a thumping sound coming from the brake pedal, with the message “Service Brake Assist” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The contact stated that the next day while driving approximately 63 MPH, the message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The contact exited the…

   NHTSA complaint #11747893 · source
10. Filed Jun 30, 2026CABrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    December 2025 I was at a complete stop and the car clunked and the brake pedal got hard hard to push and then a couple months later a brake sensor light came on and when I plugged the code reader into it, it said give me a brake sensor code, and then it started slamming on the brakes all by itself when I went to takeoff hard like give you whiplash hard and it didn’t just do it once it did it a few times and then it wouldn’t go into reverse and then it wouldn’t go in neutral,…

    NHTSA complaint #11747321 · source
11. Filed Jun 18, 2026ILBrakes

    Brake vacuum, pump failed while driving which made the brakes not work. I had it towed to a dealer and they found that the pump was internally damaged. Pump was then replaced. There was no warning this was about to happen and it happened suddenly. One moment the car had brakes and the next there was no braking. A very dangerous situation and we were lucky to not have a major accident.

    NHTSA complaint #11744943 · source
12. Filed Jun 17, 2026213,000 miTXBrakesEngine

    The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated the brake pedal became firm while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the brake assist service message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake housing had shattered inside the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.…

    NHTSA complaint #11744733 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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