2020 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Report
2020 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (264) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 25 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox with 73 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Equinox Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Equinox years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Equinox | 78 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Equinox | 277 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Chevrolet Equinox | 139 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Equinox | 371 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Chevrolet Equinox | 73 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Chevrolet Equinox | 267 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Chevrolet Equinox Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
38 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyFuel/Propulsion System
24 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes,Engine
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability Score
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Components Multiple reports of brake caliper failures have been recorded, indicating potential safety concerns at moderate mileage. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline Storage Tank Assembly Gas tank leaks have been reported without any incident, suggesting a moderate risk at moderate mileage. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission Recalled by GM for certain 2018-2020 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse vehicles, indicating a moderate risk at moderate mileage. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Infotainment Center Reports of infotainment center malfunctions have been recorded, but the frequency is low. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox:
Issues with service brakes, including hydraulic components, have been reported.
Fuel system issues, including gasoline storage tank assembly, have been reported.
Automatic transmission issues have been reported and recalled by GM.
Infotainment center malfunctions have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox by NHTSA:
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."
Consequence: 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 ...
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.
Consequence: 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 r...
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.
Consequence: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was temporarily restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PCV failure. The vehicle was not repaired and was sold due to the cost of th...
the car has a grinding that i am not sure where it is coming from, it maybe coming from the wheel and it also has a battery problem
The brake booster vacuum pump, in the words of Meineke, massive failure. The pump locked up and exploded, there are parts of at least under the valve cover. The failure resulted in the ruining of the camshaft, as this pump is controlled by the camshaft. The end of my camshaft looks like a mushroom head. This failure is currently in the investigation part of a class action law suit in which I am ad...
The gas tank was leaking without any warning or incident. The car was not involved in any incident that would have caused damage to the gas tank. The smell of raw fuel was very strong one morning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and inspected. Same model and year was under a recall for the gas tank but our particular vin was not included in the recall. There were no warning signs or symp...
Infotainment center is not operable. Had a diagnostic test completed by certified dealership and it is found that the infotainment center and radio is not operable. Contacted General motors corporate office. $47 was offered to go towards the $950 to fix it It. They did not offer any reimbursement for the $204 paid out of pocket for diagnostics fee that I they advised me to get after filing complai...
I bought the equinox with 30,000 miles on it. It's at 67,000 now and I maintain the vehicle regularly. So why have I replaced the throttle body already because it gets dirty fast? And now I'm getting a check engine light for P2099 TurboCharger Underboost. When the vehicle is not old it's 5 years old, hasn't been driven hard. So why are you using a crap 1.5L engine with a turbo that is notorious f...
See attached document for complaint.
I keep loosing power and get the message "Engine Power Reduced" and the car stops while driving down the road, sometimes it just stutters and won't maintain speed without the warning. I've had 2 shops check it out and can't find anything wrong. This vehicle has had all required maintenance done by the dealer since it was new.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rear tire treads were prematurely worn. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence, and the mechanic determined that the brakes were dragging. The brakes were replaced. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer, where the rear tires were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the defective t...
Vehicle lacked power to accelerate. Took vehicle to Christian Brothers Automotive where it was diagnosed with a bad transmission, Christian Brothers replaced the transmission.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front wheel drive transmission assembly, flushed the transmission fluid, and updated the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the ...
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 58 MPH, the message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the nearest exit and to the nearest gas station. The contact waited for a while before driving to the residence, while not exceeding 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a ce...
While driving, my engine light came on. After taking it in, it turned out that I had water/oil freezing in the intercooler. This could have been very dangerous when I was driving. I have had the GM Wrap put on it. I am hoping that this will not be a problem again.
I would like to formally file a safety complaint regarding my Chevrolet vehicle and to express concern over Chevrolet’s handling of a known defect. On January 22, while driving to work in cold weather conditions, my vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction. The engine unexpectedly revved to approximately 4,500 RPM, the check engine light illuminated, and the dashboard displayed an “E...
turbo/superchargers malfunctioned, and I had to have it replaced back up sensors do not work properly. Say backup, assistant, malfunction.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the turn signal flashed two or three times and then stopped. In addition, the doors independently locked and unlocked, and the TPMS sensors were inoperable. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the front headlights flashed off and came back on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or re...
My son was driving the car the Service Brake Assist message popped up on the screen, and the brake pedal went stiff. He was coming to a red light and had to swerve to the right to avoid hitting the cars in front of him as he had no brakes at this point. We had the vehicle towed to our house, had the vehicle looked at by our mechanic. The Diagnosis was the brake vacuum pump, part number #12684050 e...
Oil Consumption... loses 1 QT every 1000 miles driven... Car only has 28,000 miles driven on it...
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was suddenly displayed. While attempting to stop, the brake pedal was extremely difficult to depress, and the braking distance was extended. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed and needed to be rep...
Rear spear tire compartment full of water. Sunroof drains leaking into rear fuse box. Fuel pump and fuel pump module failing when driving. Turbo locking up from oil seal failure.
Showing 20 of 264 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Has the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 264 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 20 involved crashes. 12 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX involve service brakes (38 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (24 complaints), engine (23 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, service brakes,engine, power train.
How many crash reports does the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
There are 20 crash reports associated with the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX out of 264 total complaints (7.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX have?
There are 5 fire reports for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX out of 264 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
12 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 264 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (38 complaints), 2. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (24 complaints), 3. ENGINE (23 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (12 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (11 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 38 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Be cautious of potential service brake and fuel system issues, especially at moderate mileage. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX has 264 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
The 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 264 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 25 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes, Hydraulic Components and Fuel System, Gasoline Storage Tank Assembly.
What are the known issues with the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX?
Known issues with the 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX include: Service Brakes, Hydraulic Components, Fuel System, Gasoline Storage Tank Assembly, Automatic Transmission, Infotainment Center. These are based on patterns found across 264 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Common issues include service brake problems, fuel system leaks, and automatic transmission malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes, there are recalls for automatic transmission issues and service brake hydraulic component failures.
What should I do if I experience engine power reduction while driving?
Check for any warning lights and consult a certified dealership for a diagnostic test.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential service brake and fuel system issues, especially at moderate mileage. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The data includes 264 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 20 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 12 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14