UsedScore

2020 Chevrolet Equinox: Solid

Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 59 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the brakes (35% of complaints, median 6,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Equinox year
Rank
8th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
170
first five years; 59 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
4
campaigns
3rd generation, 2018–2024 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD

Photo: 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD · Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Brakes35% · 60 complaints · median 6,000 miles
  2. Engine28% · 47 complaints · median 16,000 miles
  3. Powertrain15% · 25 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  4. Fuel and propulsion15% · 26 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  5. Air bags2% · 4 complaints
  6. Driver assistance6% · 11 complaints
  7. Electrical14% · 23 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  8. Steering6% · 10 complaints
  9. Body and structure3% · 5 complaints
  10. Wheels and tires5% · 8 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners of this Equinox report sudden brake trouble, often a stiff pedal that barely slows the car, tied to a failing vacuum pump or booster. Repairs commonly involve replacing that pump, though some describe lingering engine damage or repeat failures afterward.

Warning signs:
Many report a hard or stiff brake pedal, a "Service Brake Assist" message, check engine light, or grinding and vibration before the brakes felt weak.
What shops did:
Dealers and mechanics often replaced the brake vacuum pump or booster, and in some cases found metal debris had damaged the camshaft or engine, though a few could not duplicate or repair the issue.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 95,000 miles, among 28 complaints that give it

“the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond”

“Vacuum pump seized and broke off in the crankshaft.”

Engine

Owners of this Equinox describe sudden loss of engine power, stalling, or rough running, sometimes paired with hard brakes from a failing vacuum pump. Repairs often involve replacing fuel or vacuum pump parts, and some owners report the issue returning after service.

Warning signs:
Many report a 'reduced engine power' or check-engine message, rough idling, sputtering, shaking, or hard/stiff brake pedal appearing before or during the stall.
What shops did:
Dealers commonly replaced or diagnosed vacuum pumps, fuel pump modules, PCV valves, spark plugs, or in some cases replaced the entire engine, though several owners say the problem recurred or could not be duplicated.
Mileage:
most between 15,000 and 100,000 miles, among 27 complaints that give it

“I had to slide the car into neutral and use two feet on the brake pedal to slow down enough to make the corner”

“the vacuum pump inside the engine had exploded and sent metal components throughout the engine system”

Powertrain

Owners of this Equinox commonly report shaking or shimmying during acceleration and sudden loss of power or stalling, sometimes with a hard-to-press brake pedal. Repairs have included torque converter, half shaft, transmission, and vacuum pump replacements, though some owners say problems recurred or shops could not find the cause.

Warning signs:
Many report vibration or shimmying when accelerating, an "Engine Power Reduced" warning, stalling, hesitation from a stop, or a suddenly hard brake pedal.
What shops did:
Dealers and shops often replaced the torque converter, half shafts, transmission, or vacuum pump, though several say the shop could not duplicate or fully resolve the issue.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 65,000 miles, among 14 complaints that give it

“When accelerating the car begins to shake and shimmy noticeably beginning around 35 or 40 MPH”

“the vacuum pump inside the engine had exploded and sent metal components throughout the engine system”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (4)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 23V339000May 2023668,187 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete.

  • NHTSA 20V668000October 2020194,105 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V704000October 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.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 19V667000September 2019301 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 851 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2020 Equinox. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 22-NA-244 · May 2024 · Warranty extensionThis service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
  • 15-NA-010 · May 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
  • 25-NA-100 · April 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be…
  • PI0281L · April 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
  • 25-NA-052 · March 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
  • 25-NA-065 · March 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.

All 2020 Equinox bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 59 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Equinox years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2020 Equinox problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the brakes (35%), the engine (28%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (15%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent in May 2023 (child seat). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox on NHTSA.gov · How we rate