Owners have reported 20 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints60
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent issues with the brake vacuum pump in the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, often resulting in a hard brake pedal and reduced braking power. Complaints commonly mention a "Service Brake Assist" warning and describe incidents where the brake pedal becomes difficult to press, leading to extended stopping distances. These issues are typically noted around 55,000 to 77,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and injuries due to sudden brake failures. Buyers should be aware of potential vacuum pump failures and related engine damage, as multiple owners describe metal debris entering the engine following pump failures.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints29
ENGINE
Owners report several engine-related issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, with common complaints involving engine stalling, loss of power, and excessive oil consumption. Symptoms frequently described include engine warning lights, unusual noises, and in some cases, the vehicle entering limp mode. Failures often occur at various mileages, with some as low as 3,000 miles and others over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are notable; one instance involves an engine fire, while others describe sudden power loss on highways posing potential risks. These patterns suggest that prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints28
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues related to the power train, including oil leaks from the transmission and hesitation during acceleration. Complaints often describe symptoms such as erratic jerking, failure to accelerate, and complete loss of power, sometimes accompanied by the "Engine Power Reduced" message. These issues typically occur at various mileage points, with some reports as early as 500 miles and others around 60,000 to 120,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with three complaints involving crashes, including forward collision system failures and unexpected stalling in traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they can impact both vehicle performance and safety.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report various electrical system issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, primarily involving the infotainment system, battery, and alternator. Complaints frequently mention the radio shutting off unexpectedly, difficulties with starting the vehicle, and warning lights such as the check engine light and service brake assist indicator illuminating intermittently. Several reports describe water intrusion affecting electrical components, including the sunroof drains leaking into the rear fuse box. Symptoms often appear around 40,000 to 70,000 miles, with some owners experiencing stalling or loss of power while driving, which could pose safety risks. These issues are compounded by difficulties in diagnosis and repair, as reported by multiple owners.
Owner complaints23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with the fuel pump and fuel pump control module, resulting in the vehicle stalling or failing to start. Typical symptoms include the car shutting off in traffic, difficulty starting, and warning lights such as the check engine light illuminating. Complaints often mention these problems occurring around 14,860 to 80,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with several owners describing instances where the vehicle stalled in traffic, potentially leading to hazardous situations. Buyers should be aware that these issues are not covered by existing recalls, despite similar problems being recalled in other model years.
Owner complaints22
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with the vehicle's brakes, engine, and electronic systems. Complaints often describe brake failures with no prior warning, including instances where the brake pedal becomes unresponsive, which poses significant safety risks. Engine problems are also common, with reports of sudden shutdowns and reduced power, sometimes linked to transmission or turbocharger failures. Electronic issues include malfunctioning traction control and stability systems, as well as problems with the Sirius XM radio and climate control system. Some of these problems occur at relatively low mileage, and at least one complaint involves a fire while the vehicle was parked, highlighting potential safety hazards.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues related to steering, including unexpected pulling to one side and loss of power steering, which in some cases have led to crashes. Common symptoms described include steering tightening, a "Power steering ESC" warning, and severe shaking in the steering and suspension, particularly during acceleration. These issues have been noted at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 2,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes attributed to steering problems, highlighting potential safety concerns. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for steering-related incidents when considering this vehicle.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues related to unintended acceleration and deceleration, often without warning or error codes. Common symptoms include the vehicle accelerating on its own, engine RPMs fluctuating unexpectedly, and the car failing to respond adequately to the accelerator or brakes. Some complaints indicate these issues may be exacerbated by cold weather conditions. A few reports also highlight failures in adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems. Notably, one incident resulted in a crash when the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably, leading to a collision. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, with one vehicle having experienced problems as early as 1,656 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these safety-related complaints when considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox report issues with airbag deployment, particularly in side-impact crashes. Complaints frequently mention airbags failing to deploy during significant collisions, with several incidents resulting in injuries. Affected vehicles range from new, with as few as 84 miles, to those involved in multi-vehicle accidents. Additionally, some owners describe smoke emanating from seatbelt areas post-collision, and one report highlights a seatbelt failing to properly secure a passenger. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, especially in side-impact scenarios, which may be a concern for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox report issues primarily involving the engine and engine cooling systems. Common symptoms include unexpected deceleration with "Engine Power Reduced" or "Low Power Mode" messages, shaking and vibrating at higher speeds, and excessive oil consumption. Diagnoses often point to failures in components such as the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve, turbocharger control valve, and wastegate actuator. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with some occurring around 92,000 to 103,000 miles. Safety implications include the potential for sudden loss of acceleration, which can pose a risk during highway driving.
