Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
320 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 102, 2.9× a quiet Equinox year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 2.9× the complaints of a quiet Equinox year, spread over 14k–99k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 Equinox owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 114 (36%) | 4k–95k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 102 (32%) | 14k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 58 (18%) | 8k–64k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 40 (13%) | 3k–68k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 44 (14%) | 3k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 15 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 320 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
82 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I started having issues with my car stalling, there was no acceleration and the car was shaking. When the car was stopped, there was also shaking.
On march 27, 2021 engine randomly started having issues while on the highway. Car would not accelerate and 'reduced engine power' notification came on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 50,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox: 4
The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag. Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet. A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 327
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle
Neighbouring years
2019 Equinox: 310 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2021 Equinox: 101 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Equinox years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
320 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 102, 2.9× a quiet Equinox year. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 2.9× the complaints of a quiet Equinox year, spread over 14k–99k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (114), engine (102), fuel system (58), transmission and drivetrain (40), electrical system (44). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 14k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Other (NHTSA 23V-339), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 20V-668), Brakes (NHTSA 19V-704), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-667). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.