Chevrolet Equinox brake failure problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IN

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)

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · KY

Vacuum Pump failed, Camshaft is broken. When vacuum pump failed there were no brakes and no warning. Almost flew off a bridge.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Brakes · CA · crash

1- brakes failed entering garage they were applied, it screeched and hit the wall 2- there was a safety risk, but fortunately no injuries, just vehicle and property damage 3 - not reproduce, dealer who had performed rear brake job 4 weeks prior looked at it and said it was fine 4- no it has not been inspected by anyone but the dealer 5- no warnings were noticed, so unknown

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

SAFETY VEHICLE COMPLAINT / DEFECT REPORT Vehicle: 2019 Chevrolet Equinox Complaint Type: Brake Failure / Loss of Braking Ability / Vehicle Malfunction Incident Date: XXX Location: [XXX] Request: Safety defect investigation Description of Incident On XXX, while my 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was being operated in the [XXX] area after exiting the highway, the vehicle experienced a serious and potentially life-threatening malfunction. As the vehicle approached a situation requiring the driver to stop, the brake pedal was pressed, but the vehicle did not stop as expected. The brake pedal went completely to the floor, and there was little to no braking response from the vehicle. At the same time, the vehicle experienced additional significant mechanical/electrical problems. The vehicle would not properly shift into gear, and the vehicle began flickering/shaking and malfunctioning. The combination of loss of braking ability and the inability to properly shift the vehicle created an extremely dangerous situation. A failure of the braking system while the vehicle is being operated on or near a highway presents a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by a mechanic. I was informed that the issue was possibly related to the fuel pump, although the cause of the brake failure and the other vehicle malfunctions has not been definitively established. I am requesting that this incident be formally documented and investigated as a potential safety defect involving the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. My primary concern is that the vehicle experienced a complete or near-complete loss of braking ability, with the brake pedal going to the floor and the vehicle failing to stop normally. The simultaneous inability to shift gears and additional vehicle malfunction makes this particularly concerning. I believe this issue warrants investigation to determine whether there is a recurring defect . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

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 violent stutter/pulsation to halt the vehicle. No dashboard warning lights, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), or fluid level sensors illuminated prior to or during the braking failure. A certified automotive repair facility diagnosed the root cause as a total internal seizure and mechanical failure of the engine-driven brake booster vacuum pump. Because the vacuum pump is driven directly by the engine, its sudden lockup sheared and severely damaged the drive slots on the exhaust camshaft, necessitating an intensive engine teardown, camshaft replacement, and secondary component repair totaling $2,390. This design poses an extreme, life-threatening safety risk. The total loss of braking assist occurs without warning, and the mechanical failure simultaneously compromises internal engine timing components while moving at speed.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MI · crash

I was on the way back home from the office driving [XXX]. Speed limit of the road was 45mph and I was driving around 40 mph. There was a traffice light and it changed to yellow. The card in front of me stopped but the brake was slipping and my vehicle couldn't stop, ended up hitting vehicle in front of me. My vehecle equipped with Automatic Emegency Brake and Front collison warning but no warning popped up and automatic brake didn't work. I pushed brake so hard but it was slipping. I was holding steering wheel with both hand and stepping on the brake. and triied to avoid crash by turning vehicle to the right. But couldn't avoid crash and hit the passenger side of the vehicle in front of me with my driver side corner. Brake did not work and none of the emergency features equiped in the vehicle responded, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Brakes · OH

While I was getting off the freeway, my vehicle displayed the “Service Brake Assist” warning. When I attempted to brake, the brake pedal became extremely hard and would not respond normally. The vehicle would not stop normally when I pressed the brake pedal. I was almost involved in a crash because I could not brake as expected. I had to use the emergency parking brake to help bring the vehicle to a stop and avoid a collision. Component/system: The exact failed component is UNKNOWN. Based on the “Service Brake Assist” warning and the extremely hard brake pedal, I am concerned there may be a problem with the brake-assist system, vacuum system/vacuum pump, brake booster, or related components. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: This created a serious safety hazard because I temporarily could not stop the vehicle normally while exiting a freeway. I was almost involved in a crash and had to use the emergency parking brake to help stop the vehicle. Dealer/service confirmation: UNKNOWN at this time. The problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: UNKNOWN/No inspection has been performed by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative at this time. Warning/message: The vehicle displayed “Service Brake Assist.” The warning appeared before/during the braking problem. At the same time, the brake pedal became extremely hard and difficult to press normally. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this incident along with other complaints involving 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles experiencing “Service Brake Assist,” hard brake pedals, loss of brake assistance, and suspected vacuum-pump/brake-assist failures. I am concerned that this may be a safety-related defect that could cause a loss of braking assistance and increase the risk of a crash. I request that the federal safety agency determine whether further investigation or a safety recall is warranted.

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · MO

In May 2026 while driving home from her job in downtown St. Louis, my daughter was driving my equinox. While traveling on the highway at the speed limit of 55 miles an hour her brakes failed and she came within a few feet of rear ending a full gas tanker truck. She was able to maneuver to the shoulder of the highway and avoid an accident. After a few moments of the engine, idling the engine completely stopped working and shut down. After having the car towed to my local mechanic at a Midas shop, they began the diagnosis. I began similar research online to find cases of similar things happening. What was diagnosed is that the vacuum pump on the brake line was faulty and broke. Pieces of this pump made their way into my engine and ruined two of the cylinders in my engine. The car is now not drivable and needs a replacement engine. Chevy knew about this faulty, vacuum pump part and they did issue recalls on other vehicles using the same part. They have also issued technical bulletins to their technicians for a diagnosing this failed vacuum pump. I have tried to contact Chevy and they have offered me no assistance. I know a class action suit has been filed for this very same issue. Chevy is aware of this issue. Chevy‘s choice to use a part they knew was faulty. Almost led to the death of my daughter.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Brakes · CT

I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving at highway speed, the brake pedal suddenly became completely rigid and could not be depressed. The engine continued running normally, there were no warning lights, and I had to coast into a parking lot because I was unable to brake normally. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealership. The dealership diagnosed a failed vacuum brake booster and replaced the brake booster at my expense. After the repair, the exact same safety issue occurred again while I was driving at approximately 25 mph. The engine was running normally, there were again no warning lights, and the brake pedal instantly became rock hard and would not depress. The repair did not resolve the condition, and I no longer believe the vehicle is safe to operate. I am reporting this because the same loss of brake assist occurred before and after the dealership’s repair.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Brakes · NY

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