Chevrolet Equinox brake problems, 2016–2027
455 of the 2,715 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Equinox 2016–2027 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2018 (132), 2020 (110), 2019 (80). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Equinox brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 22 | 27% | — | 3 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2025 | 48 | 12% | — | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2024 | 24 | 13% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2023 | 16 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 8 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 110 | 36% | 71k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 80 | 26% | 61k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 132 | 32% | 64k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 18 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 38 · 2023: 70 · 2024: 85 · 2025: 88 · 2026: 112
Across the model years, half of the 107 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 13,000 and 90,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact's vehicle failed to stop and crashed into two vehicles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained burns to the arms and hands, but medical attention was not provided.
Roughly 38k miles on vehicle, went on a road trip and about 80 miles into the trip, was slowing down for traffic and breaks went out, the master cylinder. It was incredibly hard to press down on the breaks taking all my effort to stop the car
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.
While driving on the highway a warning message came up that said “engine power reduced” and moment after we lost the ability to accelerate. We pull over and turn the car off, when trying to restart it, it would not restart. We were left stranded on the side of the highway.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V012000 HighJan 16, 2025 · 2,890 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV all-wheel drive electric vehicles. The adaptive cruise control may fail to engage the brakes as expected, due to incorrect brake module software.
- 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.
- 18V576000 HighAug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
NHTSA investigation
- EA26006 Electronic Brake Module Component Failureopened Aug 21, 2026 · open
- On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist …
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Equinox
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- fuel system problems
- engine problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- visibility and wiper problems
Every system, every model year: Chevrolet Equinox problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Equinox years have the most brake complaints?
2018, 132; 2020, 110; 2019, 80. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (36%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V012000 (2025), 19V704000 (2020), 18V576000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 62,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 13,000 and 90,000. 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.