NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
12 reportsClear category filter94,000 miles · Jul 27, 2026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 failed to respond as needed, causing the contact to engage the parking brake and manually sh…
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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 failed to respond as needed, causing the contact to engage the parking brake and manually shift the gear shifter to a lower gear to get the vehicle to come to a complete stop. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The brake booster pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #11753062
111,000 miles · Jul 2, 2026
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic
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 …
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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 stated that the vehicle was turned off and failed to restart. The vehicle was restarted after three attempts. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the following day, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the vacuum pump, camshaft, and timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #11747893
213,000 miles · Jun 17, 2026
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated the brake pedal became firm while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the brake assist service message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken …
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated the brake pedal became firm while driving approximately 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the brake assist service message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake housing had shattered inside the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.
NHTSA ODI #11744733
95,700 miles · May 19, 2026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle's brakes did not depressed, it maintained the same speed the warning indicator stating service brake assist illuminated and then the check engine light illuminated. The emergency brakes were engaged in order to…
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle's brakes did not depressed, it maintained the same speed the warning indicator stating service brake assist illuminated and then the check engine light illuminated. The emergency brakes were engaged in order to allow the vehicle to slow down. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a vacuum pump for brakes failure. Additionally, metal was in the engine due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was
NHTSA ODI #11738847
120,000 miles · Apr 2, 2026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to N…
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V704000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was associated with the recall. The contact later replaced the rear brakes independently. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11728754
48,800 miles · Feb 12, 2026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rear tire treads were prematurely worn. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence, and the mechanic determined that the brakes were dragging. The brakes were replaced. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer, where the rear tires wer…
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the rear tire treads were prematurely worn. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence, and the mechanic determined that the brakes were dragging. The brakes were replaced. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer, where the rear tires were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the defective tires were inspected. The service manager associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V704000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 48,800.
NHTSA ODI #11717633
55,000 miles · Jan 9, 2026
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
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, wh…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11709875
100,000 miles · Sep 9, 2024
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
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 …
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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. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to the relative's home and eventually to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic where they discovered metal shavings in the engine camshaft which damaged several parts of the engine. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11613489
106,070 miles · Jun 28, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a red traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact swerved to the left and overtook the vehicle in front of her vehicle, drove off…
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a red traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact swerved to the left and overtook the vehicle in front of her vehicle, drove off the road, and drove in circles on the grass until the vehicle stopped. The contact then parked the vehicle. The contact stated then resumed driving to the residence at slower speeds. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,070.
NHTSA ODI #11597434
71,000 miles · Dec 15, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds speed, an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear brake calipers had failed and needed to be repl…
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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds speed, an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear brake calipers had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the rotors and the calipers; however, the contact stated the failure returned while driving at slow speeds. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V704000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #11560237
Official recalls
4May 11, 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Oct 29, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
Oct 3, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake drag may result in overheating of the brake pads, affecting the braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N192270920.
Sep 19, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗