YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 107 of 308 complaints (35%) filed against the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, with a median failure mileage of 44,225. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this specific issue on this model year, though owners report vacuum pump failures similar to a recall on other years.

Engine complaints
107
35% of 308
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
44,226 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden unintended acceleration or loss of braking power while pulling into or out of parking spaces at low speed.
  • Complete loss of engine response to the accelerator pedal when merging from a stop, with no power for a distance before recovering.
  • Check engine light illuminates along with reduced engine power messages that persist for extended driving, sometimes lasting hundreds of miles.
  • Loss of engine power at highway speed accompanied by dimming or flickering instrument panel lights before the vehicle shuts down.
  • Vacuum pump failure at highway speed causing loss of braking power and engine damage, with some owners noting a recall exists for other model years but not theirs.
  • Engine compartment fires reported with no prior warning lights or mechanical symptoms.

When 2020 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 5, 2019, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter132019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
107 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q3 (13).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010318 (41%)
  2. 2011443 (57%)
  3. 2012372 (54%)
  4. 2013426 (57%)
  5. 2014243 (44%)
  6. 2015239 (35%)
  7. 2016214 (54%)
  8. 2017195 (71%)
  9. 2018104 (25%)
  10. 2019111 (37%)
  11. 2020107 (35%)
  12. 202118 (19%)
  13. 202229 (17%)
  14. 202317 (18%)
  15. 202419 (24%)
  16. 202531 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Engine complaints make up 107 of the 308 total complaints filed for the 2020 Equinox, or 35% of all complaints for that model year, according to NHTSA data.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox engine?
NHTSA's data provided here lists no related recalls tied to this engine complaint category for the 2020 Equinox, though some owners reference a recall covering other model years for a similar vacuum pump issue.
At what mileage do 2020 Equinox engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints for the 2020 Equinox is 44,225 miles.
Are engine failures linked to crashes or fires in the 2020 Equinox?
Among the complaints in this area, NHTSA data shows 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury reported for the 2020 Equinox.
How does the 2020 Equinox compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 35% share of engine complaints in 2020 is lower than years like 2017 (71%) and 2011 (57%), but higher than 2021 (19%) and 2025 (14%), based on NHTSA complaint data by model year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.