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2020 Chevrolet Equinox

The Verdict

42 Proceed with Caution

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 318 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (142 complaints) and brakes (73 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 42/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Equinox, consider the 2024 model year which has 74% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 74% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox dashboard →

42

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

23V339000 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, whic...

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 nec...

Reported Nov 5, 2023

19V704000 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 sw...

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....

Reported Mar 10, 2019

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20051267714219696
20063337412114224
20071392520529124
200810971598113
200916341286
201022913101325116
2011164208144174
201221484738034
201321095943431
201423294624517
2015337126424323
201614932321410
20173282619513
201889945512547
201950613313725
202050733114222
2021265213711
2022265131335
2023141410592
2024231311314
20258923633527

By Category

Engine
142
Brakes
73
Body
50
Electrical
31
Transmission
22

By Severity

1
146
2
146
4
25
5
1

Worst Problems

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See how the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 1

Vacuum pump failed causing brakes to fail then causing exhaust camshaft to break.

6d ago
Brakes 1

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.

7d ago
Brakes 2

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.

9d ago
Electrical 1

Emissions traction ecs

10d ago
Engine 1

"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."

12d ago
Engine 1

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

13d ago
Engine 2

UNKNOWN

13d ago
Electrical 4

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.

18d ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there were persistent electrical issues with both side-view mirrors independently adjusting after the vehicle was turned off. The driver was constantly manually readjusting the mirrors while operating the vehicle. The dealer performed a software reprogram, but the failure recurred the same day. The was intermittent at first but had become a constant failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

21d ago
Brakes 1

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 there was a recall for the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure.

28d ago
Engine 1

I've spent $1000 on repairs to my turbo and now have to replace the whole thing. While looking online I've seen many people are having the same issue with the 2020 model. Almost every car has to replace the turbo between 60,000-80,000 miles which seems ridiculous.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, but initially the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to drive to the residence, but the vehicle failed to restart. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and identified a failure with the fuel pump module, Part Number: 13565338, as the cause of the failure. General Motors was contacted by phone and informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000

1mo ago
Engine 1

Vehicle began sputtering suddenly while driving 40mph. "Reduced Engine Power" warning appeared on dash. While trying to limp it home, the vehicle died in the middle of a turning lane. Pushed vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to a shop. Their notes attached below. Technician Notes: Customer concern verified with DTCs P0014 (Exhaust Camshaft Position System Performance) and P0017 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible). Upon removing the exhaust cam position sensor, metal buildup was found. The vacuum pump failed, breaking the keyed driveshaft on the cam and causing the metal buildup. Recommendation: Replace the vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft with timing chains, or consider replacing the engine. Same catastrophic failure as many others have reported due to the vacuum pump seizing up. Metal shavings throughout motor now, likely ruining the whole motor.

1mo ago
Engine 1

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.

1mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that occasionally while at a red light or while stopped, the vehicle hesitated for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to move while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to retrieve a fault code. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and an email was sent to the president of GM. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

The electrical system just stopped working it is throwing up false alerts of driving systems and brake assist, and then the air conditioning on/off button doesn’t respond defrost nothing lights up or comes on.

1mo ago
Body 1

Vacuum pump, brake asst light. And more unknown because it is still under repair.

2mo ago
Engine 2

Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred

2mo ago
Body 1

Car failing to accelerate properly when pushing gas peddle to floor, delay for couple seconds/ longest was 30 seconds before car registered need to move. No defined time its happening intermittently, no warning or codes populating for issue. Recent issue Car was only registered 5 mph after pulling into street from a parking lot with pedal to the floor. After 30 ish seconds car jerks speeding forward at the expected force with pedal to floor. Car Basically was not moving and risked being hit by cars not realizing we are having acceleration issues. Luckily no cars coming and other traffic was stopped by red light. Took to repair shop they had it for 2 days and confirmed issue but all tests were cleared and areas check passed. Research showed known issue but no fix found. Issue started within last 2 weeks. Note current heat wave and online forms says other with same issue on 2020 Chevy equinox seems to notice issue more often when extreme heat weather and ac on high in car. Repair shop had no options for repair unless it happens and codes for them to read, recommend trading in car due to safety issue.

2mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump and fuel pump control module. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V013000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,451.

2mo ago

318 total

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