Vehicle report
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 4 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
4
Open recalls
15
Complaints
5
Overall safety
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2020 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (4)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192270920.
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."
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 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.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox safety ratings
5
Overall
5
Front
5
Side
4
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints (15)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vacuum pump, brake asst light. And more unknown because it is still under repair.
- POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the message “Service Brake Assist” warning light illuminated twice. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, causing the contact to engage the parking brake and manually shift the gear shifter to a lower gear to get the vehicle to come to a complete stop. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The brake booster pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
- SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
While driving, my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly lost power and shut off without warning while I was pulling into traffic. The vehicle would buzz not crank afterward but would not restart. This created a safety hazard because the unexpected engine shutdown occurred while the vehicle was in motion. This is the second brake vacuum pump failure I have experienced with this vehicle. In 2022, the brake vacuum pump failed and was found shattered internally. At that time, the engine continued running, and the pump was replaced. During this most recent incident, the brake vacuum pump failed again, and the internal end of the pump broke apart. I replaced the vacuum pump and removed the broken pieces I could access, but the vehicle remains in a crank/no-start condition. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealership or independent repair facility. However, after seeing the shattered pump components, a couple of mechanics I know expressed concern that the broken pieces may have affected the engine timing. That has not been confirmed. The failed pump and replacement parts are available for inspection.
- SERVICE BRAKES
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
- STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
I bought the 2020 equinox May the 9th 2026 the dealership concealed a lot of things going on this vehicle and I complain to them two days after purchase he told me I was stuck with it in the meanwhile as I drive the vehicle I have had repairs done but it's something going on with the acceleration it accelerates on its own sometimes and slow to pick up speed. The steering seems to get away from me at times that makes me feel like I'm going to lose control when driving. I have almost had a couple of accidents since then so what really worries me is the steering problems which I just had a little alignment done today July 15th 2026 and the accelerating from time to time went backing up or pulling off. I do feel like the safety of others can be at risk for should I say my safety is that risk at times so I am extremely cautious when I'm driving. No I have not had really anyone to look at I have been having a car looked at for many issues but that issue I am still trying to get in to see a mechanic that I'm used to dealing with but he's been backed up. No there are no lights of any such but when I purchased it the sensors in the tires and I've had that replaced and I've noticed this situation with the acceleration when I bought the vehicle and the slow speed pick up when driving.
- STRUCTURE
In early XXX, I noticed that water was pooling in the spare tire well. I took it to a Chevrolet dealership and they concluded that the rear sunroof drains were clogged. After unclogging the drains and confirming adequate sealing of the tubes, rain water was still leaking into the spare tire well. This is causing mold on the carpet and rust. This same issue, with the same year/make/model, happened to somebody else around the same time, and they made a post on Reddit ([XXX]). I believe there is an issue with the drainage system, leading to auto parts potentially rusting and mold growth, both of which severely harm the driver and passengers. Two cases of the exact same situation, starting around the same time, may not be a coincidence and it’s possible this is a widespread issue that has yet to be reported. An investigation into this issue could help drivers stay safe on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My cooling and heating sensor is reading negative 40 degrees outside but it has been 80 degrees and higher the past several weeks. This is not safe when you have children especially if they are under [XXX] old. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes went stiff and hard to push no warning light. I was driving on the interstate with my daughter. Was stuck out of town with no breaks.
- SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
As I was coming to a stop at light my brakes became very difficult to push the pedal down to stop. It took everything in me to get the vehicle to stop before entering the intersection and oncoming traffic. I was able to get the vehicle parked safely in a nearby parking lot but then the engine wouldn't start it just kept trying to turn over. The brake assist error popped up, and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get it started again about 20 minutes later, all the same warnings and lights. I white knuckled the drive back to my house... Once I got home the engine was smoking, smelled like it was burning, and oil was spilling out all over the place underneath, impossible to see where a leak was as it was coming from the entire engine. There was ZERO warning with the vehicle, no issues up to this point, and suddenly the equinox is now useless in my driveway unable to start with oil still leaking in multiple spots. An oil pan under the main leaking area, but there are still multiple areas of oil spilling even a week later. Oddly enough my onstar report for the month came to email a few days later reporting perfect engine health and zero issues - even thought the vehicle can't start now.
- SERVICE BRAKES
The vacuum pump failed and my brakes went out pedal became extremely hard to push. I was driving on the highway at the time and was lucky I had a shoulder to slow down on and finally stop. I took the car to my usually mechanic who confirmed the vacuum pump failure but referred me to the Chevy dealer because this is a known issue. The dealer confirmed the pump had blown apart( their words to me) and that there are most likely debris now in the engine. No warning lights or alerts of any kind came on. Total suprise.
- ENGINE
The turbocharger are bad on the 1.5 L vehicles. My current one , I had replaced already and my previous one had it too. Reduced engine power and should be recalled. I want to be reimbursed for the service and part replacement. 976.00 for the turbocharger and labor costs of 400.00. 3 1/2 hours of labor costs and the diagnostic test my nirth country GM in Hibbing. Should be recalled for all of these vehicles. 218-290-5027 Craig Johnson
Checking a used Chevrolet Equinox before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2020 Equinox in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Equinox's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox, or browse more Chevrolet models.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox — questions and answers
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?+
Our check found 4 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
How many complaints does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox safe?+
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Chevrolet free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Chevrolet dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
Get the full vehicle history report
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