Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 27% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 29 | 12% | 13,000 miles |
| 2024 | 13 | 16% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 15 | 15% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2021 | 8 | 8% | 22,000 miles |
| 2020 | 113 | 36% | 55,000 miles |
| 2019 | 83 | 27% | 61,000 miles |
| 2018 | 133 | 32% | 64,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 2% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2013 | 13 | 2% | 23,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 2% | 67,000 miles |
| 2011 | 27 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% | 34,000 miles |
| 2007 | 28 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2006 | 85 | 12% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 105 | 16% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the parking braking activated, and smoke and flames were coming from both the rear wheels. The contact used a bottle of water to extinguish the flames. During the failure, the maintenance icon was displayed. There was no injury sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was advised to notify the insurance company of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle gradually came to a stop. The service brake and service power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ECM failure. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with brake control module failure. The contact was informed that the brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired again; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle accelerated independently, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had not sustained any injuries. Medical attention was not required. The contact stated that a Police report was not filed. The vehicle was still drivable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a callback would be provided. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
I was driving my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV on the highway with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) engaged. The vehicle was also set to "One-Pedal Driving" (High regenerative braking). The vehicle in front of me slowed down abruptly. My vehicle's ACC began to slow the car, but it was not decelerating quickly enough to avoid a collision. I immediately intervened by pressing the brake pedal as hard as I could, pushing it completely to the floor. Critical Safety Failure: The vehicle's physical brakes failed to engage. Despite my foot being pressed hard to the floor, the vehicle did not slow down. It felt as though only the regenerative braking was (slowly) working and that my manual brake application had zero effect. The vehicle continued to glide forward with no significant braking power, and I was unable to stop the car in time, resulting in a collision with the rear of the vehicle ahead. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the brake pedal depressed the floorboard without warning and failed to slow down as needed. During the second failure, the contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle initially accelerated upon depression of the brake pedal before the vehicle started to slow down. As the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard; the vehicle failed to brake in time and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's head hit the steering wheel; the contact was treated a few days later for a minor concussion by a primary care doctor. The contact's wife also suffered minor bruising and scratches due to the accident. The other driver was not treated for any injuries at the scene. A police report was filed. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, causing his wife to make the left turn at 40 MPH uphill. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated as his wife was driving uphill. The contact stated that his wife then pulled into a driveway and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated temporarily however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the alarm sounded. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure had occurred due to loss of communication with the electric brake system control module and the electronic brake control module. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The check engine, ABS, and traction control warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact managed to coast the vehicle home and used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed from the residence to the dealer. The contact was informed that the ABS valve kit was defective and needed to be replaced; however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 10,002.
I went to the gas station to fill the car with gas. I pulled along the pumps and put on the brakes but they failed and I applied again failed again so I put into netural and ran into a pole. I called GM and they checked the brakes could not find any problem. I ask if they checked the computer but they didn't know. the Equinox only had 170 miles on it. That is my problem.
Related recalls (2)
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (133), 2020 (113), 2005 (105), 2006 (85) and 2019 (83) model years. Brake complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-704 (caliper, Oct 3, 2019); 18V-576 (caliper, Aug 30, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (8).
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.