2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Power Train Problems

30 complaints about Power Train

30
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Power Train Complaints (30)

Dec 8, 2025 Crash

Forward collision system dint notify of an object infront , also breaks locked up when used .Air bags didn’t go off while a forward collision with a bus happened

Nov 12, 2025

The Engine Power Reduced Sensor came on and the gas pedal was hard to push so we took the car to a Chevy Dealership. We were told the code po299 was showing and that the turbo needs to be replaced ($4000). This is a VERY common problem and Chevy even acknowledges that but they are doing nothing about it.

Oct 19, 2025

Pulling into traffic car stalled without warning. Went from about 25 MPH to a complete stop in approximately in less than 100 feet. Car sputtered with transmission grabbing intermittently as it jerked to a stop. Restarted about several times with similar behavior. (Covered under 60,000-mile warranty (actual mileage ~55,000)). Replaced fuel pump driver control module to correct. No accident due to distance to on-coming traffic, but easily could have caused an accident during high traffic conditions.

Jan 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission oil leak; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where it was determined that there was a transmission leak; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

Nov 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The message “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

Aug 21, 2024

When pressing the gas pedal, my Equinox does not accelerate and move forward. It takes approximately 2-3 seconds for the vehicle to react to the pressing of the pedal and that reaction is slow despite applying full pedal movement. This happens intermittently and appears to be most notable during extreme high temperatures. It also has been noticed while trying to accelerate to pass in addition to trying to go from a stop. I was almost hit by another vehicle because my Equinox didn't go. When it did go, it took roughly another 5-7 seconds to get up to the 45 MPH speed limit.

Aug 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

Jun 20, 2024

Power Train: I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LS in January 2023. For the past 4 to 7 months the vehicle has completely lost power in traffic several times and I'm not talking about AutoStop and Start, the battery life was great, with no dead cells at all. The vehicle went dead, absolutely no power source inside or outside the Equinox, the SUV could not be placed in neutral to move it out of traffic, nor would the remote key work. The Equinox remained in this mode for approximately 20 minutes. During each incident, the vehicle displayed no warning signs or check engine symbol on the dashboard display before or after each episode. Fuel/Propulsion System: Upon placing unleaded fuel in the vehicle and starting up the ignition, the SUV would start vibrating, sputtering, jerking, and popping sounds. Also, while driving the vehicle upon acceleration at times it seems as if fuel isn't reaching the engine. Brakes: Service Brake Assist may illuminate randomly on the dashboard while on the interstate. These issues has placed and caused my family and I to be in great danger. This is my primary vehicle and I purchased this vehicle because I believed in the reliability of the GM Chevrolet Brand. Not an accident waiting to happen. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected, but please remember if NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT is illuminating on the dashboard the issues can not be assessed properly!

Jun 18, 2024

The car shakes between 30-40 MPH, with or without acceleration. I’ve done a lot of research on this issue many people are having the same issue and can’t find a solution.

May 29, 2024

I received a service brake module warning and then the vehicle became difficult to stop. I was not traveling at typical highway speeds at the time, but I was on the highway. After applying extensive pressure on the brake pedal to stop, the engine lost power and stalled. It was towed to a dealership and determined that vacuum booster pump experienced a catastrophic failure.

May 2, 2024

I was operating the vehicle when it suddenly shut off in traffic. I attempted to restart the vehicle and received a "reduced engine power" and "Service brake assist" message. The vehicle had a clunky noise and failed to restart. Upon inspection at the dealership, I was told that the vacuum pump inside the engine had exploded and sent metal components throughout the engine system. No previous issues or warnings were present prior to this failure. This is a safety issue as the vehicle gave no warning signs of issue and shut off in the flow of traffic with very little ability to brake or steer out of the way.

Jan 15, 2024

PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE—replaced now transmission issues. UNKNOWN—everything that’s recalled I’m having those problems

Jul 17, 2023

Car will not accelerate over 25mph…oil leaking from somewhere…car starts rattling and making putt noises…car now randomly blinks headlights and interior lights when idle flashing off and on…sunroof will not close but goes back—shade as well. Radio screens turns black and stays on while car is off. I HATE THIS CAR!!!

Jul 14, 2023

This vehicle starts glitching after exposure to rain. All of the gauges start going up and down, and every action required message pops up one after the other stating "Fuel Level Low, Shift to Park, Park Assist Off, All Wheel Drive System, Service Power Steering, ESC". The vehicle does this while driving at low to high speeds, even on the highways it has happened, the brakes are hard to push in while this is happening. This puts me and others in high danger if I cannot control the vehicle while driving. I have taken the vehicle in over 6 times to the service department of GM and not one time has anything been done. They have been unsuccessful in duplicating the problem every time I've brought it in even when it is occurring.

Apr 11, 2023

The equinox completely lost power (engine AND electrical) turned off while the vehicle was in drive on the road. Once at a complete stop, I pushed the brake and start button. The car attempted to start for a few seconds (clicking sound) then finally started back up. This is a major safety concern. Luckily I was able to get the car running again with no issues but if it had not turned back on, I would have been stranded on the road with no power to even put my emergency caution lights on. Thankfully I was not on the expressway going the speed limit or at a busy intersection. I could have been in a car accident because I was stalled with zero power to the entire vehicle. The vehicle was eventually towed to a Chevrolet dealership and the ECM was reprogrammed and the vehicle is back in my possession.

Oct 17, 2022 Crash

Engine power reduced keeps appearing Check engine light still on after oil change Oil is always empty after an oil change Leaking oil gasket

May 11, 2022

March 8, 2022 Purchased the 2020 Chevy Equinox March 23, 2022 The car was jerking while driving making it dangerous. I tried to bring it to the service department but was told to leave the car which I did from 7:00 am -4:00 pm and no diagnosis within that time. March 30, 2022 Dropped the car off at Autonation Chevy Pembroke Pines April 5, 2022- Shev service advisor states the converter in the transmission needs to be replaced. April 19, 2022- Picked up car April 20, 2022 Car is jerking EVEN WORSE WHILE DRIVING!!! April 22, 2022 Car is BACK IN THE CHEVY SERVICE department April 30, 2022 Told to pick up car and now the problem was a FUEL PUMP IN THE ENGINE May 2, 2022 Picked up car, drove one block car is still jerking while driving (UNSAFE) May 6, 2022- Service manager states car is jerking and not only jerking it STALLED while driving with him!!!! As a matter of fact, it has a history of 5 service repairs where it stalled. This information WAS NOT disclosed to me. This car is not SAFE!!! The car is still in the service department. I DO NOT want that car. I want a car that is SAFE!!! REPLACEMENT CAR!!!

Mar 19, 2022

When my car is parked (no emergency brake on) on a SLIGHT incline & the driveway is completely dry, it slides down the driveway 10-20 feet in its own with the wheels turning. It has happened at 4 times & once someone was trying to get out & it was frightening. It’s ended up on the sidewalk where it could hit pedestrians. I can’t drive an UNSAFE vehicle & the dealer says since they can’t replicate it, they can’t fix it (as if I’m lying that it happened) & to just always use the emergency brake even though the car manual doesn’t say anything about that being how the car works.

Dec 1, 2021

EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING IN STEERING AND SUSPENSION WHILE ACCELERATING, USUALLY STARTING AT THE 2-3 SHIFT. AT 12,836 MILES LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HALF SHAFTS FAILED DUE TO 'EXCESSIVE LATERAL RUNOUT' . BULLETIN 20-NA-227 APPLIED(AS PER DEALER) AND BOTH REPLACED. NOW AT 21,500 MILES, THE SAME ISSUES ARE OCCURRING AGAIN. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER AND I'M CONCERNED SHOULD A TOTAL FAILURE OCCUR WHILE I'M DRIVING. INITIAL PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 4000 MILES BUT ONLY OCCURRED VERY SPORADICALLY.

Nov 24, 2021

The car started making a terrible noise. I went to the dealer. They said it was the transfer case. 10 days to get part. Now they say it’s the rear differential. Another 10 days. There was no warning on the dash. The fear for me is do a 6 hour trip. Afraid of what else can happen.

Jul 12, 2021 Crash

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after parking, turning the engine off, and exiting the vehicle it was later discovered that the vehicle had erroneously rolled backward and crashed into a second vehicle that was parked. No injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 3,800.

Mileage: 3,800

Jun 7, 2021

My car has been shaking upon acceleration since I bought it in December 2019. I've had it to Apple Chevrolet in Red Lion, PA 4 times for the same issue. They documented that this is a manufacturer issue with my model and are working on a solution. They also documented that my axels are going bad, but not bad enough to fix and I was told to "drive my car until it get's worse and bring it back."

May 14, 2021

AIR FLOW INTO THE FULL BODY THROTTLE DETACHING

Mileage: 11,399

Feb 9, 2021

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE RIGHT WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT IS WABLING AND IT DOES THR SOMETHING TURNING RIGHT UP HILL WHEN YOU STRAIGHTEN THE CAR UP IT FILLS LIKE THE WHEEL ITHE ITSS COMING OFF AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE BEATY CHEVROLET CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.

Mileage: 11,525

Jan 28, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE WHEN TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLE CEASED UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BOB BELL CHEVROLET (1230 BEL AIR ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21014) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER EACH VISIT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.*DT*JB

Mileage: 3,000

Sep 18, 2020

WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY NOTICEABLY BEGINNING AROUND 35 OR 40 MPH. THIS SHAKING IS FELT IN THE SEAT AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VIBRATION CONTINUES UNTIL THE ACCELERATION IS HALTED. THIS SHAKING FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE SHAFT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE TOO. CURRENTLY 3650 MILES ON THE CAR. SERPENTINI CHEVY IN WESTLAKE, OH IS ALSO AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SHOWED ME A LETTER THAT GM SENT TO THE DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE ON 9/9/20 BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. IT FEELS UNSAFE

Mileage: 3,650

Jul 24, 2020

AFTER 3 MONTHS, 500 MILES WE NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT HALF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CASE PORUS. THE DEALER RECIEVED AUTHHORIZATION TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 500

Jul 7, 2020

OUR NEW CAR IS 3 MONTHS OLD AND 500 MILES STATING TO LEAK OIL. DEALER SAID IT'S LEAKING FROM TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 500

Dec 9, 2019

MY 2020 EQUINOX HAS LESS THAN 500 MILES AND OVER THE WEEKEND, WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, THE FORWARD COMPLETELY DISENGAGED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD. WE COULD ONLY GO REVERSE. WE HAD OUR 5 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WITH US AND THIS WAS TERRIFYING. IT COULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS HAD IT BEEN DARK OR ON A BUSIER ROAD.

Mileage: 480

Dec 5, 2019

VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST ENGINE RESPONSE REACTION TO ACCELERATION PEDDLE FROM A YIELD TURN INTO MAIN ROAD. FROM THE YIELD, SLOW ROLLING LESS THAN 1 MILE PER HOUR, I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO MERGE INTO THE MAIN ROAD AND THE VEHICLE HAD ZERO RESPONSE FOR NEARLY 30 FEET. IF THERE WAS A CAR COMING I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID BEING COMPLETELY HIT IN THE SIDE. I PUMPED THE GAS PEDDLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN ANY RESPONSE, AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED DRASTICALLY TO 3000 WITHOUT UPSHIFTING AT PROPER TIME AND THE VEHICLE SURGED AHEAD. ODOMETER READING 2376. 1200 MILE SERVICE COMPLETED. 2400 MILE VEHICLE SERVICE SCHEDULED. FILLED TANK 37.8 MILES PRIOR TO EVENT WITH 89 OCTANE. ROUGHLY 35 TO 40 DEGREES.

Mileage: 2,376