This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Equinox | 20 |
| 2017 Equinox | 16 |
| 2018 Equinox | 47 |
| 2019 Equinox | 36 |
| 2020 Equinox (this page) | 29 |
| 2021 Equinox | 14 |
| 2022 Equinox | 17 |
| 2023 Equinox | 9 |
| 2024 Equinox | 11 |
When does it fail?
Of the 29 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Lock and Unlock (Active Functions Work) but Will Not Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions Do Not Work).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 26 complaints describe a complex electrical landscape affecting both safety and infotainment systems. The infotainment unit is the most frequent failure point: owners report it shutting off during drives, sometimes cascading into failures of OnStar, turn signals, backup cameras, and mirror warning functions. Dealers have replaced entire radio consoles and applied software updates, but failures persist. General Motors has offered minimal reimbursement, citing mileage.
Critical safety issues include brake system failures—stiff, unresponsive pedals without warning and intermittent brake assist warnings that dealerships cannot reliably diagnose despite vacuum pump and booster replacements. Engine stalling at highway speeds and in traffic occurs without warning lights, sometimes preceded by auto-stop electrical dropouts. Check engine lights with misfire and sensor codes persist across multiple service attempts, including at 5+ months in one case.
Other recurring electrical gremlins include premature battery failure (shorted cell within 50 miles of factory replacement), door locks freezing in cold, lane departure false warnings, and a transmission control error preventing start or shutdown. One owner reported unresponsive dealer service—claiming a simple software fix, then keeping the vehicle eight days. Water intrusion and sunroof failures, fuel smell through vents, and erratic electrical component behavior during braking rounds out the reports. Owners consistently note the intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult and repairs expensive.
Same Chevrolet Equinox electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment system failure / radio shutoff
Infotainment center and radio become inoperable or shut off intermittently during driving, sometimes linked to cascading failures of dependent safety systems like OnStar, turn signals, backup camera, and side/rear view mirror functions.
When: Varies; earliest at 10,688 miles; others with longer ownership durations; some within first months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Radio and infotainment screen shut off or go black while driving; Screen flickering on and off; Radio disconnects from Bluetooth when it shuts off; OnStar, turn signals, backup camera, and mirror warning systems become inoperable when infotainment fails; Center console screen becomes unresponsive; Unable to hear audio warnings
Codes mentioned: None reported; dealership unable to duplicate in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Entire radio console replacement attempted in at least one case but failure persisted; software updates performed but did not resolve issue; repair costs noted as $950 for infotainment center
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: General Motors offered $47 (5% of $950 invoice) in one case; refused to acknowledge as manufacturing defect in other cases
Brake system failure – loss of brake assist and stiff pedal
Brake pedal becomes stiff or unresponsive during operation, brake assist warning appears intermittently, and parking brake warnings occur; vacuum pump and brake booster pressure sensor failures documented.
When: November (one case); intermittently recurring; another case with warning lights in August 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes completely stiff and requires extreme pressure to slow vehicle; No warnings until vehicle powered off and restarted; Service Brake Assist warning appears on dashboard; Parking brake warning light comes on intermittently; Loss of brake response without advance warning
Codes mentioned: ECM and EBCM codes detected in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replaced; brake booster pressure sensor replaced; brake fluid replaced; issue recurred one month later despite repairs; brake inspection found no mechanical issues; repair costs described as expensive and ongoing
Check engine light / misfire / emission codes
Check engine light comes on or blinks, often accompanied by service ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and traction control (TC) lights; codes suggest misfire or communication issues between engine control modules; lights may clear and reappear.
When: February and March 2025 in one case; varies in others; some within first weeks of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light blinking or illuminated; Service ESC light on; TC (traction control) light on, sometimes with line across letters; Engine misfiring (suspected); Lights appear mainly when driving on freeway, not in town; Check engine light clears intermittently then returns
Codes mentioned: O2 sensor code (lean condition), MAF sensor code, Random codes relating to component communication issues
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensor replaced; MAF sensor replaced; system software updates performed; check engine light persists or returns after 5+ months of dealership attempts; codes do not clear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall found for complainant's VIN despite similar issues reported by others; system updates applied
Engine stalling without warning
Vehicle stalls while driving at highway speeds or during traffic stops with no advance warning lights; stalling hazardous in active traffic; restarts may be delayed or difficult.
When: December 2024 (one case); August auto-stop event (one case); others undocumented timing
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving on highway or at traffic light; No warning lights before stall; Vehicle stalls while pulling out from stop; Difficult to restart after stalling; Vehicle stalls again immediately after restart; Loss of all power during auto-stop restart sequence
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; water intrusion into taillight noted in one case (TSB 22-NA-170 referenced)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 22-NA-170 mentioned in connection with battery and taillight; owner advised to file NHTSA complaint
Battery failure / shorted cell detection
Battery fails prematurely despite recent replacement under warranty; OnStar diagnostic messages alert owner to shorted cell condition; battery cannot start vehicle when fully discharged.
When: New vehicle with <400 miles (September 2020); replacement battery failed again within 50 miles of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar notification of shorted battery cell; Battery may be harder to start; Service battery message received twice within one week
Codes mentioned: SAC001 (OnStar battery shorted cell code)
Repairs/costs cited: First battery replaced under warranty after 1.5-hour diagnostic test; replacement battery failed within 50 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage applied for first replacement; second failure occurred shortly after
Headlight premature failure / LED low beam
Low beam headlight fails prematurely; entire headlight assembly must be replaced because bulb is not user-accessible; high repair costs for manufacturing defect.
When: October 2023 at approximately 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlight abruptly fails
Repairs/costs cited: Entire headlight assembly replacement required; estimated cost $2,600 for single replacement; manufacturer eventually agreed to replace both assemblies for approximately $1,900; owner paid out-of-pocket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledged failure should not have occurred; offered partial reimbursement after negotiations; previous recall issued for GM vehicles in early 2000s for similar premature headlight failures
Door lock / power door malfunction
Door unlock buttons unresponsive in extreme cold; locking mechanism randomly engages or disengages without user input; vehicle remains locked despite repeated unlock attempts and app unlock requests.
When: In -13°F weather at 2,530 odometer miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle unlock buttons unresponsive with multiple attempts; No unlocking sound when pressing door buttons; Chevy mobile app unlock did not work immediately; Locking mechanism randomly engaged or disengaged without button press; Extended delay before door could be opened
Turn signal failure
Turn signal fails to operate while driving; simultaneous infotainment screen blackout and flickering reported.
When: At 10,688 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal failed to operate during left turn; Center console screen went black and flickered; Screen failure persisted for extended period
Repairs/costs cited: Radio console replaced but failure persisted; dealership unable to duplicate failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update performed; manufacturer made aware
Lane departure assist false warnings
Lane departure warning system displays false lane-departure alerts when vehicle is actually centered in lane; steering wheel vibration feature activates intermittently without actual lane departure.
When: At approximately 30 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel displays lane departure warning despite being within lane; Steering wheel vibrates to indicate lane departure when vehicle is in lane; Feature activated intermittently
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Water intrusion from sunroof
Sunroof opens spontaneously without user command; water leaks into interior near fuse box and brake pedal area; sunroof motors fail and cannot close roof.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof opens without user action; Only glass panel opened; Water intrusion into passenger side taillight area; Water pooling near brake pedal fuse box; Sunroof will not close
Repairs/costs cited: Motor replacement needed; repair costs not specified
Fuel system leak
Fuel system leaks; smell of fuel comes through vehicle vents; hazardous for passengers with asthma; fire risk concern.
When: Timing not specified; noted alongside infotainment issues
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel smell through vents; Visible fuel leak; Concern of fuel system breakdown or fire
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic video message and photos referenced but not detailed in narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle noted as experiencing 'same fuel system and infotainment issues that others have been recalled for' but no specific recall information provided
Auto-stop / start system electrical dropout
Vehicle loses all electrical power during auto-stop restart sequence; windshield wipers activate briefly; system appears to reset before restarting engine.
When: Multiple occurrences; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: When vehicle exits auto-stop mode and attempts to restart, all power is lost; Windshield wipers turn on for few seconds; Vehicle appears to reset before starting
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealership unable to diagnose due to intermittent nature
Alternator / charging system failure
Alternator suspected as cause of stalling and hard starting due to low battery voltage and reduced electrical system power.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling; Hard starting condition; Battery low state; Reduced electrical power available to components
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator suspected by owner; not confirmed by mechanic
Shift to park / transmission control error
Vehicle displays shift-to-park messaging and will not start or shut off; occurs both while parked and while in drive at traffic light; multiple warning messages appear simultaneously.
When: Two incidents not specified by date
Symptoms owners cite: Shift to park message appears when trying to start in park; Car will not turn on or off; Vehicle displays 'sec,' 'low fuel,' and 'park to shift' messages simultaneously; Park-to-shift wrench icon appears; Vehicle in drive at traffic light and cannot start
Brake and ABS system explosion / sudden electrical event
At higher mileage, ABS and brake systems experienced sudden failure described as 'exploded'; car shut off in traffic without warning and was confirmed as electrical issue.
When: 67,000 miles (ABS/brakes); 78,000 miles (shutdown)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS and brake system failure at 67k miles; Vehicle shut off in middle of street with no warning at 78k miles
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical issue confirmed by mechanic
Brake assist warning with electrical malfunction and reverse engagement
Brake assist warning light flashes; electrical components begin blinking; vehicle unexpectedly shifts into reverse while in traffic; vehicle then shuts off.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake assist warning light flashes; Electrical components blink erratically; Vehicle shifts into reverse without user input while in traffic; Engine shuts off
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Rear spear tire compartment full of water. Sunroof drains leaking into rear fuse box. Fuel pump and fuel pump module failing when driving. Turbo locking up from oil seal failure.
During the month of November while driving on Interstate 35 inTexas I attempted to administer my braking system during slowed traffic and they did not respond. The brake pedal became completely stiff and I had to apply incredible pressure to get the vehicle to slow down until I turned on my hazards and rolled to a stop on the shoulder. I did not have any alerts or warnings until I powered the…
On december 15, 2024 my car stalled out. on the middle of the road nearly causing me a collison. My vehicle for. the last month has been - what i assume is having electrical problems , my car is only 4 years old so im uncertain as to why it would be stalling out , this is also the first time that this has happen . i called my insurance company to file a report about my vehicle stalling out on a…
In -13 degree farenheit, the vehicle locked me out. Key fob left inside vehicle for 45 min, engine off, parked in a parking lot. Remote start from inside building did not work due to fob in car. Once I arrived back a the vehicle I found the doors locked, door handle unlock button unresponsive with multiple attempts. Vehicle failed to unlock while I stood outside in -13 degree weather,…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 29 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 8,035 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.