2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls
TypicalRising
NHTSA has received 303 owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, or 45.4 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.08, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #60 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is about the same; against other Compact SUVs it is 27% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2019-12-05 and 2026-08-29. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
303Complaints
45.4Complaints per year on the road
1.08Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
8.3%Share involving a crash or fire
78Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 39.1 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 16.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 63 complaints, 11% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (31.0% of complaints), followed by Brakes (23.1%) and Electrical (10.6%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “vacuum pump”, “engine”, “reduced”, “power” and “check”. 25 reports (8.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 12 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 50 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (35% of incidents). In the last 12 months 78 new complaints were filed, versus 57 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 43% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.08
vs. other Chevrolet models0.99
vs. other 2020 models1.2
vs. other Compact SUVs0.73
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (63)1.11
The vehicle was taken to College Chevrolet for body work. . When the vehicle was at the body shop, the shop informed me that a turbo light was on but I am unsure when it appeared because it wasn't on when I took it to the dealer.
Interior & equipment · 2026-06-11 · ODI 11743540 · Fire
I am reporting a vehicle fire involving a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox [XXX] ). The fire originated in the engine compartment. The official fire report lists the causes as "undetermined", with the area of origin identified under the hood.
Engine · 2026-04-27 · ODI 11734135 · Fire
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.
Electrical · 2026-08-29 · ODI 11760560
Vacuum pump, brake asst light. And more unknown because it is still under repair.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-23 · ODI 11758953
Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred
Engine · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758252
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 20V668000 · 2020-10-29
Summary: 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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 19V704000 · 2019-10-03
Summary: 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.
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.
Summary: 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.
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
303 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, or about 45.4 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 31.0% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 78 new complaints were filed, versus 57 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 303 owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, or 45.4 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.08, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #60 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is about the same; against other Compact SUVs it is 27% lower.