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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 302 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2020 Chevrolet Equinox

  • Engine 4-cyl 1.5L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Be careful

Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

4 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Serious

What do owners report?

1 death reported

Out of 302 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 20185recalls
  • 20194recalls
  • 2020 · this car4recalls
  • 20214recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
5 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

4 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Power Train

    29/10/2020

    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. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    How they fix it: 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 contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

  2. Fuel System, Gasoline

    19/09/2019

    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.

    How they fix it: 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 recall is N192271870.

  3. Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    03/10/2019

    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.

    How they fix it: 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192270920.

  4. Child Seat

    11/05/2023

    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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

    How they fix it: 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 necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 2018399reports
  • 2019298reports
  • 2020 · this car302reports
  • 202191reports

302 owner reports on file

20 crash mentions 7 fire mentions 12 injury mentions 1 death mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 302 total reports.

  • SERVICE BRAKES 77 of 302

    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 pedal, the vehicle fa

  • POWER TRAIN 35 of 302

    Engine power reduced Car will not accelerate Jerks after a long stop Have replaced engine and transmission same problem occurred

  • ENGINE 32 of 302

    The turbocharger are bad on the 1.5 L vehicles. My current one , I had replaced already and my previous one had it too. Reduced engine power and should be recalled. I want to be reimbursed for the service and part replacement. 976.00 for

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 of 302

    My cooling and heating sensor is reading negative 40 degrees outside but it has been 80 degrees and higher the past several weeks. This is not safe when you have children especially if they are under [XXX] old. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27 of 302

    Vacuum pump, brake asst light. And more unknown because it is still under repair.

  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 26 of 302

    Fuel Stall with no acceleration while driving on the highway. Barely made it to the side of the road. Vehicle is at a mechanic shop. Both the Direct injection high pressure fuel pump and the electric fuel pump as well as the fuel pump modul

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Sold in 2 versions

They range from 27 to 28 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 201826mpg
  • 201927mpg
  • 2020 · this car27mpg
  • 202127mpg

$2,300

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 25 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more
Passenger space
103 cubic feet
Cargo space
30 cubic feet

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 1.5L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic 6-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 1.5L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
1.5 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the service brakes

Owners report problems with the service brakes more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2020 Chevrolet Equinox listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox? +

    NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox get? +

    The EPA rates the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox at 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox? +

    Owners have filed 302 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, including 20 involving a crash. The most-reported area is service brakes.

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