2020 Chevrolet Equinox, approximately 84,453 miles. On XXX, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic braking/mechanical failure. The brake system lost power assist. Following physical inspection, the insurance adjuster documented that an internal brake booster/vacuum-related failure caused loss of brakes and excessive vacuum on the engine, resulting in internal engine failure requiring engine replacement. I subsequently learned of pending federal litigation, [XXX] et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. XXX concerning an alleged brake vacuum-pump system defect in 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. I am reporting my vehicle because the failure involved loss of braking assistance and catastrophic engine damage and appears potentially consistent with the failure pattern alleged for these vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes114
- Engine104
- Fuel system58
- Electrical44
- Transmission40
- Driver assistance23
- Acceleration15
- Steering13
- Suspension11
- Airbags9
- Body7
- Wheels7
- Lights6
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
- Locks2
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Check engine light 53Fuel pump 33Stalling 31Loss of power 23Brake failure 18Engine failure 17Jerking 12Spongy pedal 11Won't start 8Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 6Lane assist 6
Trouble codes owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox mention
P0017 2P129F 2U18A2 2
Recalls 4
Child seat: vehicle latch anchor
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 23V339000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V668000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V704000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V667000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 856
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- Unknown or other
- • Improvements to OnStar functionality.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
2020 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 25 | 30 | 27 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 |
What 2020 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
A large work pickup truck pulled out in front of our vehicle and into the oncoming lane. The larger pickup truck's driver miscalculated their turn by turning too widely, side-swiping a smaller pickup truck, ricocheting off of the smaller pickup, and lastly, impacting us on the front drivers-side wheel offset.(front-left wheel offset) Our vehicle's front axle and wheels are now inclined to the right. Only the front two airbags were deployed, even though the impact was distributed slightly to the driver's door.
Vacuum pump failed causing brakes to fail then causing exhaust camshaft to break.
There were no warning lights prior. We were driving on the highway and the brake pedal all of a sudden became hard as a rock, and we could barely stop the car. Stoping distance was extremely long and dangerous, we were very lucky there was no one in front of us and that we were almost the the exit we needed to be at. Managed to slowly pull the car into a lot and arrnage for a tow to the nearest Chevrolet dealer (Open Road Chevrolet, Union NJ). They inspected it and said the vacuum pump was missing. Also said the notify the customer that tehre may be damage to the camshaft but they did not elaborate and they replaced the vacuum pump and verified their work and said no further repairs required at this time. Crazy dangerous situation to be in. Nothing warned us aboutt he issue at all. Just happened and we were very lucky.
Vacuum pump, I was driving 75mph and needed to slow down due to traffic and my break pedal was hard and wouldn’t stop me, I almost hit a car in front of me. I also had my children with me. No the problem hasn’t been inspected, I bought the part to repair it myself. There was no fair warning. I ALMOST wrecked with my children in the car! I was over a hour and half from my house.
Emissions traction ecs
"Brake vacuum pump seized and shattered, sending metal debris into engine via camshaft. Vehicle lost power and would not restart – towed to dealer. Dealer found metal debris in oil fill (photo available) and quoted $2,101 for camshaft/vacuum pump and $9,480 for engine assembly – total $12,493.83. This is identical failure to class action Thieme et al v. GM for 2018-2022 Equinox 1.5L. Safety risk – loss of power brake assist and sudden stall. RO 449922 Dave White Chevrolet Sylvania OH since 10/2/26. Known defect not under recall."
Vacuum Pump failed, Camshaft is broken. When vacuum pump failed there were no brakes and no warning. Almost flew off a bridge.
Unknown
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.
Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
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Other model years
20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
Questions about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners have filed 320 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, fewer than a typical Equinox model year.
What is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox year score?
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Brakes, with 114 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles. Next is engine (104).
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have?
4 recalls, covering child seat, power train and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V704000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Equinox have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Equinox model years with the most brakes complaints are 2018 (133 complaints), 2020 (114 complaints) and 2005 (105 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox range from 24 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 26 city and 31 highway.
VIN decoder
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