35 complaints reported

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Brakes

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
35
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2023

I was driving on a main interstate and went to take an off-ramp, I tried to use my brakes to slow down but the peddle was rock hard and couldn’t brake at all.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2023
Dec 2022

I would like to bring to your attention the maintenance issue I experienced as it could have been catastrophic. On December 15, 2022 I was driving home from work in Dallas. I was going about 40 mph when the vehicle in front of me started to slow down, so I was going to as well. However, when I tried to, my brake pedal wouldn’t move. I tried again and still nothing. Now my engine light comes on and a “service brake assist” warning is popping up on my dash. I took my foot off the gas to slow down in time and was able to pull to the side of the road. There were NO warnings that this was coming! Please reference this link for other examples of this issue.... https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chevrolet/equinox/service-brakes-problems.php

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2022
Sep 2022 Crash

I was driving exiting a school zone going about 35 mph. As I was coming up on a stop sign my brakes went completely out on my 2019 Chevy Equinox, and to avoid hitting kids walking across the sidewalk I ran into a cement wall to stop my car this morning on 9/21. I had it diagnosed twice and both vendors said it was the Vacuum pump brake and they have been seeing many of these cases. I checked the recall and there isn’t one but over 200+ reviews with this exact issue! This is a huge safety issue! People could of been severely hurt today. I called the dealership and they said I need to not get it fixed and wait to file a claim and call product quality claim.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2022
Jun 2022

After purchasing the vehicle in April 2021, 3 months later upon traveling home and entering an exit ramp the brakes completely locked while going 35-45mph into ongoing traffic downhill and would not allow me to press down on them so that I could come to a stop. I press the emergency brake and that did nothing. I had to glide through traffic into a gas station parking lot almost slamming into a gas pump. The sewer dip allowed the vehicle to slow up and come to halt blocking the traffic. This happened after midnight so I took it to the dealership in which i purchased. No lights appeared on the dash. They advised me the brake booster pressure sensor, brake booster vacuum hose and then after doing so they said non of it fixed the issue, I would need a new brake booster. All totaling over $2000 for a vehicle I had less than 6 months. Shortly after the month following July or August, stalled and the push to start button wouldn’t activate. I waited a few moments and then it turned on, with the engine light lit. I took it directly to dealerships service department and they had it a month, they eventually said it was the Oxygen Sensor and it needed to be replaced. I reached out to GM about all of the issues. They stated there were recalls but not for my VIN. CRAZY Now less than a month, a slight fender bender, another vehicle crossed into my lane, the sensors did not initiate, I had to swerve to dodge from causing any major damage and avoid on coming traffic. My vehicle sustained minor scratches on the front passenger side. Initially 30 minutes after it was running fine. Then the light sensors on the mirrors both sides remained on. No engine lights, no warnings. I’m traveling down the 5 lane Highway @75mph and the vehicle just shuts completely off. I had to get across traffic and avoid causing an accident. The vehicle would not start. Got it towed back into town. Back to the dealership and was advised I needed a new engine! Now I’m without a vehicle.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2022
Mar 2022

While my wife and I are traveling on the highway out of town going 72 mph there was traffic and she began to press the brake peddle but car didn't want to stop. She had to push all body weight on the brakes and the brakes seem like it's hesitation and vibration but eventually stopped. This is very dangerous and brake service light came on. I pull off the exit and check fluids and brakes and all looks normal as I know some about cars. I called to get it checked today and lady said to bring it in right away as they are aware of this common issue with these equinox. She say either canister or pump failure which I researched and have many people who have complained but GM has changed 2018 certain models but failed this model year also and didn't fix the design for this model year of 2019 D2. Need this investigation to continue and I will begin petition for class action suit against GM which they have been notorious for law suits. Please help!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2022
Nov 2021

While safely driving under normal conditions, I attempted to slow my vehicle down while approaching a vehicle that was making a right turn into a parking lot. Upon trying to apply the brakes, I was met with resistance (Hard brake pedal) which prevented my vehicle from properly slowing down. This was caused by a failed/malfunctioning brake booster/vacuum pump. Since I was driving at a safe distance, I managed to barely avoid colliding with the rear of the car making the turn, however, that miss was extremely narrow. My vehicle barely slowed down when the brakes were applied which, had I been on the interstate or traveling at a higher rate of speed, would have more than likely resulted in a collision. This DEFINITELY puts myself, my wife, and our 2 children's safety at risk. Once I successfully parked the vehicle, a "Service Brake Assist" warning messaged appeared for the 1st time. I began researching/attempting to diagnose the issue. During this time I came across several articles detailing a recall issued by GM describing the exact same issue with the brake booster/pump, ironically however, it only covered vehicle produced through 2018. I then contacted GM customer service to alert the manufacturer and see how they would rectify the situation. I was informed that my vehicle had no open recalls and was out of warranty & there was nothing they could do for me.(handwritten call log can be provided upon request) When I contacted the dealership, they informed me they were unable to see the vehicle until the 1st week in Dec. I was left to take it to my local mechanic who, upon his diagnosis, informed me that it was the vacuum pump that had failed. As previously stated, there were no warnings prior to the failure. The "Service Brake Assist" appeared AFTER I managed to safely get my vehicle to a parking spot.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Sep 2021

While driving on the freeway, the brakes became suddenly stiff and I was unable to stop the vehicle immediately for oncoming traffic. I had to steer away from the road onto the emergency lane and apply the brakes really hard to stop the car. There were no warning messages of any sorts and while trying to stop and start the car several times, then the service brake assist warning with the check engine light came up. I have to take the vehicle for inspection to the checy dealer to know more detailed cause of the issue. I had my wife, a 4 year old and a 4 month old in the car when this happened.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

While exiting the highway I went to put on my brakes and there were no power brakes. It pedal was stiff and I had to push extremely hard to stop and it took a long time to do so. The brake assist light come on as well. I had no prior warning, noise or any reason to believe that my brakes wouldn’t work. We checked the pads, rotors and brake lines and they were all fine so that’s not the issue. It could have been catastrophic if I had been on the highway still when this happened.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Jan 2020

WHEN REAR E- BRAKES ARE WET THEY LOCK UP AND MAKE A LOUD SOUND. THIS HAPPENS AFTER A HARD RAIN OR IF YOU GO THRU THE CAR WASH WITH THE UNDER CARRIAGE OPTION AND RELEASE THE E-BRAKE AFTER PARKING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2019
Apr 2019

WHILE DRIVING ALONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MI/HR ON A CLEAR DAY WITH NO OTHER CARS WITHIN 500 FT., EXCEPT FOR ONE ON THE INSIDE LANE BEHIND US, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY CAME ON HARD AND ONLY RELEASED AFTER IT SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO 60 MI/HR. THE RED LED'S DID NOT COME ON AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DID NOT VIBRATE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR I SPOKE WITH SAID HE DROVE A 2019 EQUINOX TO OMAHA AND HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. HE THOUGHT I MAY HAVE HIT A BUG THAT CAUSED IT, BUT THE CAMERA LENS WAS CLEAR. I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY #63 SOUTH OF ROCHESTER, MN. WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox has 35 Brakes complaints on file. 5 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.