2020 Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox ranks 7th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area (112 complaints, 36% share), followed by engine issues (107 complaints, 35% share), and NHTSA lists 4 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Equinox years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 308
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 1
Top 2020 Chevy Equinox problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes112 (36%)
- Engine107 (35%)
- Fuel System57 (19%)
- Other46 (15%)
- Electrical System45 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain39 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (6%)
- Steering13 (4%)
- Structure & Body9 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping power while backing out of or pulling into parking areas.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own even while the driver was pressing the brake, leading to collisions.
- One owner reported the vehicle caught fire and was fully engulfed within minutes while driving on the highway.
- Multiple owners said front or side airbags failed to deploy during low-to-moderate speed crashes.
- One driver said the forward collision alert did not sound before a low-speed crash while merging from a highway loop.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V339000May 11, 2023Other668,187 vehicles
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."
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.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 19V704000Oct 3, 2019Brakes166 vehicles
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.
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.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- It ranks 7th worst out of 21 Equinox model years, with a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
- Brakes lead with 112 complaints (36% share) and a median failure mileage of 41,900 miles, followed by engine problems with 107 complaints (35% share) at a median of 44,225.5 miles.
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Equinox, covering rear child-seat LATCH anchorage bars, the start-stop transmission accumulator, rear brake calipers with incorrect lubricant, and fuel tanks with an improperly sealed seam. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
- It carries a Caution verdict, worse than several other Equinox years like 2019, 2021, and 2023-2024, which rate Good or Best, but it is not the worst year in the lineup.
- What year Chevrolet Equinox should I avoid instead?
- Among Equinox years, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes (75-100) than the 2020 model's 70.