Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while exiting the highway at 50 MPH, the brake pedal had hardened and the contact could not depress the brake pedal. Several brake warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral(N) and pulled into a parking lot to allow the vehicle to coast to a stop. Once the vehicle slowed to a complete stop, the contact shut off the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. The contact called a relative to the scene who used a code reader to determine the cause of the failure. The code reader showed that there was a defect with the vehicle's vacuum pump, brake sensor, and intake camshaft position timing. The vehicle's codes were reset and the vehicle restarted; however, the brake failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate from a stop, the engine started choking. The vehicle lost automotive power, stalled, and shut off unexpectedly and stalled. The contact waited for a while, restarted the vehicle, and continued driving. The failure became persistent, and several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. Recently, the failure reoccurred 4 times while attempting to drive to the residence. The contact stated that water was leaking into the cabin of the vehicle from the moon roof, and the rear wheel well was filled with water, and there was water moving around inside the vehicle, and the floor mats were extremely wet. Due to water entering the vehicle, the moon roof and the radio were inoperable. The contact stated that the check engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed and there was a thumping sound coming from the brake pedal, with the message "Service Brake Assist" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The contact stated that the next day while driving approximately 63 MPH, the message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The contact exited the highway, and while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the pedal was firm, and the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal with force, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle slowed down eventually. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and a handheld diagnostic machine to diagnose the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started to shake and then stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact started the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact stated that the check engine warning light disappeared the following morning. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The contact also called Feldman Chevrolet Of Livonia (32570 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150, [phone]) and notified the dealer of the failure. The contact stated that on July 27, 2021, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to drive to her residence. …
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the instrument panel lights became dim/flicker, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact mentioned she pulled over to the right side and left the vehicle at the scene. In addition, the contact drove back to the scene where the vehicle was parked, and she noticed the state trooper and a tow company. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. The contact mentioned the fire happened overnight. The vehicle extinguished independently. A fire department mentioned to the contact that there were calls about the fire and that the fire was coming from the engine. However, the fire report was unknown. A police report was filed. The insurance company denied the claim of fire. The vehicle was destroyed. …
I am reporting a vehicle fire involving a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox [redacted] ). The fire originated in the engine compartment. The official fire report lists the causes as "undetermined", with the area of origin identified under the hood. There were no prior warning lights, mechanical issues, or indications that a fire risk was present. The vehicle was being used under normal conditions and was properly maintained to my knowledge. The vehicle was declared a total loss by my insurance company. Due to the undetermined cause and engine compartment origin, I am concerned there may have been a potential mechanical or electrical defect that was not identified. I am submitting this report in case similar incidents have occurred and to support an potential investigation int vehicle safety. [redacted]
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loud pop from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, and she was able to coast off to the side of the road. The contact stated that she attempted to restart the vehicle, but only heard a clicking sound when she would depress the START/STOP button. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the vacuum pump had seized, causing the pistons to continue running which severely damaged the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. The vehicle did not require a restart to resume operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the wastegate actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the coolant inside the actuator had frozen due to the local low temperatures. The dealer advised that precautions were needed to prevent future coolant-related failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the contact had to apply pressure and pumped the brake pedal approximately ten to fifteen times before the vehicle stopped. The contact then engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to Tires Plus where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had exploded and caused damage to the camshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was scheduled to take the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000
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 replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was also informed that metal shavings from the vacuum pump might have entered the engine and that an engine diagnostic test was needed. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, 32% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.