The Lemon Index2020 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 130 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 49, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 24 to 28 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2018–2024 Chevy Equinox, 9.4M views. The 2020 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical625K views
Chevrolet Equinox Key Fob Battery Replacement (2018 - 2021)FobBattery · 346K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door411K views
2018 - 2021 Chevy Equinox Cabin Air Filter - How To Remove Replace Change Location Chevrolet DIYPYR Automotive · 261K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service156K views
2014-2018 chevrolet equinox how to reset tpms fastCorsa Auto Repair & Sales Inc · 156K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition155K views
UNFIXABLE: Crank No Start 2019 Chevy Equinox *Only 60,000 Miles*WatchJRGo · 118K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter55K views
2018-2025 CHEVY EQUINOX 1.5L Turbo - Drain and fill Bad Transmission FluidPro Tips Plus · 55K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank46K views
2018 Chevy Equinox Fuel Injector Replacement - Complete InstructionsDavid Stumph · 46K views - Oil dilution & oil burning36K views
2019 Chevy Equinox LS 1.5 Turbo EcoTec Oil Consumption Problem Burning oil Not Leaking it.Al Young Cuda · 36K views
Before you buy, watch
Pick or Pass? | Should You Buy a Used 2018–2024 Chevy Equinox?CarMax · 72K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Equinox SUV 2018-2024 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 57K views
GMC Terrain vs. Chevrolet Equinox Which one should you buy? | Full SUV Comparison 2023"Cars Unlocked · 38K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 316 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 71K miles on the car (85 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 10K–100K miles
Recalls 4
- child seat 2023
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- brakes 2019
The rear brake calipers may have been produced with an incorrect lubricant, potentially causing the rubber seals to swell and the brakes to drag.
Show all 4 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The fuel tanks may have been manufactured with an improperly sealed seam, possibly allowing fuel to leak along the seam near the fuel inlet.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 855 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This informational bulletin provides instruction on what may be the cause of the oil leak…
- This informational bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The check engine light keeps coming on and off right after I had an oil change. Now my engine shimmers or vibrates in a funny way. This vehicle is not even two years old.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 11426718
More owner reports
Got hit at 40 miles an hour in a parking lot while a running dog came through and it was caotic
NHTSA complaint 11544909
2020 Chevy equinox vacuum pump. Impossible to get the part, safety hazard, no accident yet, takes 2 feet to hold peddle down. No Chevy dealer will help me, i need to go to work.
NHTSA complaint 11552811
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 49; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), engine (25%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have?
4 safety recalls (latest: child seat). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,800 and 71,500 miles. The middle report was at 14,000 miles, from 85 complaints.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works