Model year record

2020 Chevrolet Equinox recalls & problems

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 4 safety recalls and 318 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (102 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints318filed by owners

Crashes · fires21 · 7reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2020 Chevrolet Equinox in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Child seatMay 11, 2023

Vehicle latch anchor

Recall 23V339000668,187 vehicles

Problem: 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. 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 trainOct 29, 2020

Automatic transmission

Recall 20V668000194,105 vehicles

Problem: 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. 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, hydraulicOct 3, 2019

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 19V704000166 vehicles

Problem: 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. 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, gasolineSep 19, 2019

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 19V667000301 vehicles

Problem: 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. 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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	16.4%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Chevrolet Equinox NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2020 Chevrolet Equinox NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Equinox FWD

28mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Equinox AWD

27mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Equinox FWD

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

Equinox AWD

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	102	8	2	5	6,550 mi
Engine	93	3	3	1	29,165 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	51	1	1	0	3,308 mi
Electrical systemAdas › Driver monitoring › Software; Instrument cluster/panel	44	1	0	0	7,772 mi
Unknown or other	44	1	2	1	4,857 mi
Power train	40	3	0	0	7,599 mi
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Adaptive cruise control	16	4	2	2	8,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	15	1	0	0	3,278 mi
SteeringElectric power assist system; Hydraulic power assist system	13	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicPower assist › Vacuum; Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	13	0	0	0	94,850 mi
Suspension	11	0	0	0	4,878 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Crank/camshaft position sensor; Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)	9	0	0	0	86,040 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
Vacuum pump failed causing brakes to fail then causing exhaust camshaft to break.
Sep 30, 2026
Service brakes
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…
Oct 9, 2026
Service brakes
Vacuum pump, I was driving 75mph and needed to slow down due to traffic and my break pedal was hard and wouldnât stop me, I almost hit a car in front of me. I also had my children with me. No the problem hasnât 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.
Oct 17, 2026
Electrical system
Emissions traction ecs
Oct 13, 2026
Engine
"Brake vacuum pump seized and shattered, sending metal debris into engine via camshaft. Vehicle lost power and would not restart â 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 â total $12,493.83. This is identical failure to class action Thieme et al v. GM for 2018-2022 Equinox 1.5L. Safety risk â loss of power brake assist and sudden stall. RO 449922 Dave White Chevrolet Sylvania OH since 10/2/26. Known defect not under recall."
Oct 2, 2026
Engine
Vacuum Pump failed, Camshaft is broken. When vacuum pump failed there were no brakes and no warning. Almost flew off a bridge.
Oct 5, 2026
Engine
UNKNOWN
Oct 9, 2026
Air bagsCrash
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.
Sep 27, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.