2020 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems
110 of the 309 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database8 of the 110 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 5 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 23 · 2026: 26
Half of the 23 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 30,000 and 94,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
309 complaints in all about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, 26 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Equinox brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Vehicle intermittent brake catches, lights come sometimes, door locks open and close, engine light comes on and last time system locked completely and could get vehicle into gear. Had to have it towed. Second time into dealer service, now on 4th week and GM factory unable to determine problem and solution.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while pulling to a stoplight when they noticed the brakes squeaking and they began to smell like overheated brakes. The vehicle's brakes started dragging from the rear and the brake pad sticks to the roader. The failure occurred approximately 3-4 times.
Back in early October 2020, vehicle had about 2000 miles on it. I noticed that when I started up the vehicle The Brake Assist Service message came on the brakes were spongy and had vibrating feel. I drove about a half of a mile and the problem stopped. The engine light came on and stayed on but then went out.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving downhill at approximately 20-30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle instead independently accelerated and crashed through an electric gate. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. There was no warning light illuminated.
While driving vehicle, received "service ESC" warning on the dashboard with 4 "lights" on the dashboard. ABS light, traction control light, stability control, and parking brake light. Lane keep assist has been disabled, front collision warning has been disabled, and front pedestrian braking has been disabled.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 19V704000 HighOct 3, 2019 · 166 vehicles
- 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.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Source: the same files- engine problems 98 complaints
- fuel system problems 57 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 110 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (36% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 19V704000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 71,000 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 94,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.