Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 45 | 15% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 26 | 9% |
| Engine | 24 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 5% |
| Power train | 11 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While operating my vehicle, I experienced a sudden, catastrophic failure of the power-assisted braking system. The brake pedal completely lost hydraulic pressure, plunging effortlessly all the way to the floorboard. The
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that occasionally while at a red light or while stopped, the vehicle hesitated for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to move while the accelerator pedal was depr
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The electrical system just stopped working it is throwing up false alerts of driving systems and brake assist, and then the air conditioning on/off button doesn’t respond defrost nothing lights up or comes on.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Vacuum pump, brake asst light. And more unknown because it is still under repair.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Car failing to accelerate properly when pushing gas peddle to floor, delay for couple seconds/ longest was 30 seconds before car registered need to move. No defined time its happening intermittently, no warning or codes
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the message “Service Brake Assist” warning light illuminated twice. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake p
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th
Risk: 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. A transmission fluid leak in the p
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contac
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox all-wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this reca
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.
Risk: Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. O
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fai
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necess
| Reliability | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 305 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 45 of them (15%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.