Service Brakes Problems of Chevrolet Equinox - part 2

Driving at abut 10 mph, my brakes did not respond to pedal pressure. . . I had to stomp very hard on the brake pedal to have any slow down effect. . . . Various warning messages flashed across the dashboard (see attached files). . . After stopping, I turned off the car and turned it back on, the problem continued to exist. . . . . Then, after about 1 hour, I tried again and all systems were working fine. I took the car to Chevrolet service, and apparently there were no obdii codes stored in the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Every car I’ve ever owned the cruise control disengages once you touch the brakes and does not reengage without pushing the button to say resume. On several occasions, this car has reengaged sometimes many minutes after I’ve touched the brakes multiple times such as in a parking lot or parking garage going around the corner the car resumes cruise, and rapidly accelerates, which is very dangerous in a parking lot or parking garage.

I was driving brake pedal went causing me to use emergency brake to stop. Took and got it diagnosed. The brake vacuum went out. The repair bill was $680 that have to pay tomorrow 6-19. I had someone in my car that I was transporting. This could end very card if I was an experienced cdl driver. My car 2019 chevy Equinox only has 107,310 miles. I am so frustrated this is not on the recall list for the same problem other gm owners were having.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Here is the email I sent to gm. My name is [xxx] and I am having a issue with my 2024 chevy Equinox VIN: [xxx] . There have been about 5 times that the brakes fail. Pushing the brake does nothing car just keeps rolling. Once I can get the car to stop and shut it down and restart the brakes once again work. It was in for service for a few days but there where no error codes and they could not replicate the problem. They did do a update on the car. While my car was in the shop I had the same problem with a malibu rental. Called the dealership and talked to service and told them of the problem seems to be me somehow. Was asked if I use both feet to gas/brake the car as I was told there is a problem with that. No I don't do that but it seems I can catch both peddles with one foot and this is when the problem occurs. I have to make sure how I brake. Have found out today when it happened once again that if I put the car in neutral and press the gas the brakes start to work but not until then. There also was another issue today as when I did get the car to stop and put it in park I could not put the car back in gear until I shut the car off and restarted. Can someone let me know on how to proceed other then cautiously. I would take the car back in but they can fix a problem they don't see. Any insight would be appreciated. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Phantom braking at speed: I have experienced more than one alarming instances of "phantom braking at speed" where the vehicle unexpectedly brakes, all wheels locked, and violently skids on the pavement. This is a very alarming occurrence to driver and passengers as well as to drivers of other nearby vehicles. Specifically, this first occurred without warning on [xxx] on [xxx], traveling at 30 mph. The wheels then unlocked spontaneously after 2 to 4 seconds. This is potentially a significant and intolerable life-safety issue. When a car suddenly and unexpectedly slams on its brakes, it can create a dangerous situation for both the driver and passengers and others on the road. This could lead to a rear-end collision if the driver behind my Equinox vehicle does not have enough time to react; this may also result in driver panic and overcorrection: the startling nature of the phantom braking can cause the driver to potentially swerve into another lane or oncoming traffic. The phantom braking again occurred on the afternoon of [xxx] on [xxx] in slo while driving at 40 mph past [xxx]. Loss of confidence: repeated incidents of phantom braking have eroded this driver's trust in the vehicle's safety features, which could lead to ignoring legitimate warnings in the future. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I purchased this vehicle as a certified pre-owned vehicle from george moore Chevrolet in jacksonville, florida, in October 2023. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 35,000 miles, and it now has approximately 60,000 miles. I have maintained all recommended service intervals and oil changes as required. On June 14, 2025, while stopped at a traffic signal with my foot on the brake pedal, the pedal suddenly sank to the floor, causing the vehicle to roll forward into traffic unexpectedly. I was able to place the vehicle in neutral and then park to prevent a collision. After turning the vehicle off and restarting it when the light changed, the brakes continued to fail. I carefully maneuvered to a nearby area behind a warehouse and allowed the vehicle to come to a complete stop by shifting into neutral. I contacted a tow truck through my state farm roadside assistance program and had the vehicle transported to my local mechanic. Upon inspection on June 16, 2025, the technician determined that the brake lines were corroded and leaking. Initially, he suspected the master brake cylinder, but it was confirmed not to be leaking. He noted that the metal-braided portion of the brake line had completely deteriorated on one side and was severely compromised on the other. Both brake lines were replaced to restore braking function. Fortunately, I was able to avoid an accident, but this was an alarming experience that I have never encountered in any vehicle I have owned. My mechanic expressed concern about the extent of corrosion on such a relatively new vehicle and indicated this could represent a broader safety issue. I respectfully request that this matter be documented and investigated to ensure that other drivers are not placed at similar risk.

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Vehicle brakes became hard and failed to stop, check engine light came on and warning saying reduced engine power. Vacuum pump seized and broke off in the crankshaft. After vacuum pump replacement vehicle failed to start multiple times. Vehicle started and had rough idle and stalled multiple times. Currently awaiting dealer inspection.

The vacuum pump went out on the car while I was on I-70 in a rain storm construction traffic… I absolutely had no brakes they were so hard to push… I was stuck I almost crashed this crappy designed car… the brake light engine light came on. . I barely made it to the side of the highway… now my engine is messed up cause of some faulty brake pump… what kinda silly design is this… I could have died out there on that highway. . I was on the way to the airport and I missed my flight… gm needs to get their stuff together on this they’re going to kill somebody….

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

This past weekend, while driving my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, I experienced a sudden and complete brake failure. I was turning into a residential neighborhood at approximately 20-30mph when the brakes locked up without warning. Despite pressing the brake pedal, the car would not stop. I attempted to shift into park, but the vehicle continued to roll forward. I had to engage the emergency brake, which caused the car to come to an immediate stop. Thankfully, there were no cars in front of me, but I came dangerously close to hitting a cement wall head-on. This created a serious risk to my safety and potentially to others had the situation occurred in traffic or near pedestrians. There were no warning lights, noises, or prior symptoms indicating an issue with the braking system. The vehicle has since been towed to the dealership and is currently awaiting inspection. I've learned that there are existing recalls on other vins for the 2020 Equinox related to an incorrect lubricant used in the manufacturing process of the rear brake calipers. This defect can cause the calipers to swell, leading to excessive brake drag. Over time, this drag may result in overheating and possible brake lockup, which aligns with what I experienced. The component appears to be the braking system, specifically involving the calipers or pads. At the time of writing, the failure has not yet been confirmed by the dealer. This issue is extremely dangerous and could have resulted in a severe crash. I am reporting this in hopes that it contributes to a broader investigation, especially if this problem extends beyond currently recalled vins.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a failure of the vacuum pump in my 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The failure occurred without warning and severely impacted the vehicle’s braking performance, posing a serious safety risk while driving. When the vacuum pump failed, I experienced a hard brake pedal and a significant loss of braking power, which made it difficult to stop the vehicle safely. Thankfully, I was not in heavy traffic or approaching a stoplight at high speed when it happened—otherwise, it could have resulted in a serious accident. After researching this issue, I discovered that vacuum pump failures appear to be a recurring problem in other gm vehicles of similar model years. It is extremely concerning that such a critical component could fail prematurely and without adequate warning. I believe this issue should be investigated for a potential defect and safety recall. I urge the NHTSA to look into this matter to ensure the safety of other drivers who may be at risk due to this defect. Thank you for your time and attention.

My breaks stopped working while I was driving, they became hard to press and unable to function. The vacuum pump attached to the engine failed. The vacuum has broken pieces that are now inside of the engine. No warning indicator lights appeared before the incident. As far as I'm aware other similar models are having the same issue but my VIN was not included in the recall.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal seized while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that a gasket had detached and was missing, and there were plastic pieces inside the engine, and there was oil intrusion into other parts of the vehicle and engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was parked at the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 200,000.

I own a 2019 chevy Equinox lt 1. 5l and am experiencing the exact symptoms described in gm recall 18v576000. After 1–2 hours of driving, the rear brakes begin to drag, creating hesitation during takeoff. The issue resolves after the vehicle cools down. Both my mechanic and independent research confirm this is the same safety defect described in that recall, but my VIN is not included.

I was driving and all of a sudden my brake assist light and engine light come on and then when I tried to brake, the brake pedal was very hard to push and it was very hard to stop.

I reported the first incident that happened in Feb 2025 when my brakes failed and nearly crashed due to my vacuum brake booster failing, and I replaced it. Less than 2 months later, 4/28/2025, my breaks failed again, the same thing happened. My break pedal was hard and I was unable to stop my car. This time I had leave the roadway to avoid a collision and nearly lost control of my car. After having the mechanic check it out he told me it is a faulty system that gm/Chevrolet needs to replace or redesign. I have not fixed it because I am not only afraid to drive it anymore for fear of crashing but I don't have the money to just keep replacing a part that is never going to be ok. I am without a car, my job is at risk bc I can't always find a way to work, it has cost me money that if it wasnt faulty I would not have had to shell out the money to repair 2x in 2 months. I need gm to take responsibility before someone is hurt or killed. I need a dependable vehicle like I thought I was getting when I paid cash outright for the vehicle in 2022. The mechanic has also said he thinks it could have damaged my motor. This is a life & death situation that I can't even sale the car without worrying someone else may lose their life. Essentially I was sold a vehicle that is no good, dangerous, and it's due to gms negligence bc they are aware that the brake booster is faulty and can't be fixed by replacing the faulty part. It is likely to keep causing a brake failure.

The abs light came on the dash and traction control. I was driving in a rain storm and went around a corner and front end started to slide. Was only going 35 mph so I didn't lose control. This happened on. 04/15/2025 . If I would have been going any faster I would have lost control. This is very dangerous as I realized. It should be fixed by gm for safety concerns.

See all problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Brake system failure brake assist failure speed limited 3800 mill ev Equinox 2025.

The brake booster vacuum pump; available upon request. Yes, the brake assist stopped working while driving on the interstate making it unsafe for my vehicle and others. Problem was confirmed by an inspection at brakes plus. The warning light came on after the failure, service brake assist.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact had to firmly depress the brake pedal for the vehicle to respond. The "service brake assist" message was displayed. Additionally, the engine made a clicking sound, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vacuum pump was replaced, but the mechanic discovered metal shavings from the vacuum pump in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Service brake assist.

Our car has just around 77,000 miles and the brakes stopped working while driving. To our luck my husband quickly thought to use the e brake to prevent a car crash. We took it into our mechanic who diagnosed a brake pump failure. It looks as though the 2020 Equinox has recalls for brake issues but our VIN number was not listed. This is very dangerous and could have caused a deadly or serious injury crash. We had no prior warning to this happening. The shop owner is fixing the issue and we are holding onto receipts if this becomes a recall available on our vehicle. Very unsafe and according to my research has happened to alot of gm owners.

Poor quality vacuum pump failed, resulting in debris in crack shaft assembly and preventing brake functionality. Check engine displays and error message stated "service brake assist" which does not indicate a vacuum pump failure, which is misleading in troubleshooting issue. Hard brake pedal is a symptom, which would lead a repair facility or consumer to replace brake power booster, which does not resolve issue, but will temporarily resolve brake pedal symptom, leading to further damage to crank shaft.

Equinox ev multiple charging errors replaced 3x’s phantom automatic braking transmission error. Getting stuck in reverse while trying to move forward.

Abs and breaks exploded at 67k miles and at 78k miles car shut off in middle of the street with no warning. Electric issues confirmed by mechanic.

Unknown, my wife was driving my 2020 chevy Equinox on the freeway when suddenly the vehicle shut down with no warning signs . . She tried to turn on the emergency lights and did not function slowly she yield to other lanes and cars honking she safely made it to the side of the freeway. . She tried to turn the car and did not wanted to restart everything shutdown . She call roadside assistance. . They came and try to give her a jumpstart and it fail. They tried to tow it and they couldn't cause the brakes were also locked. . This. Was a scary situation that would had cause major accident.

I was driving down the road and my engine stopped. It stopped so suddenly that I did not have time to get out of the road and my safety was put at risk. When I took it to a certified Chevrolet dealership, they told me that the vacuum pump failure caused extensive damage to the motor and I needed to have my entire motor replaced. When I asked them what I could have done to prevent such catastrophic failure, they stated that there was nothing to prevent it. I did not have any warning on my dash at the time of the incident. This was at least the 2nd vacuum pump failure on this vehicle since I've owned it. I got it replaced at a certified Chevrolet dealership in 05/2022 when my brakes went out. In 05/22, the brakes went out but I was in a driveway and I did not feel my safety was a concern at that time. Now it's not even been 3 years and the vacuum pump failure risked my safety and caused catastrophic damage to engine to be replaced.

Loss of brakes needing a "factory reset" that I would know nothing about it being needed until happens. Happened second time!! same thing loss brakes on highway. Lucky both times waiting for tow truck.

On or about 2/8-2/13/2025, I was on my way home when suddenly, without warning, I applied my brakes to slow down and the brake pedal was so hard, so stiff that even while I was literally standing on the pedal, I was unable to stop. I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. I was honking , and honking to get the car to move and thank god without another second to waste, he moved over. I could not stop the car, I had to let off the gas and let it coast to a stop. I called a mechanic friend and he towed my car in. My car is not under warranty any more therefore alan, my mechanic friend went over my car and determined my vacuum brake booster failed. I did do some research along with the mechanic and found that the chevy Equinox (several yrs, including mine) had a recall for this same exact problem. I ran my VIN and my car is not included in the recall. The mechanic believes my car should be recalled for the brake system being faulty and he installed the new vac brake booster. Now on 4/12/2025, only 2 months later, the same thing happened, my pedal is hard and I can't stop. The first time I felt like I was going to crash, kill myself or somebody else. The 2nd time I had to exit the roadway where there was only dirt, I ended up nearly flipping my car because the dirt caused me to nearly lose control. Again, I escaped causing a crash but at the risk of my own life by not being able to stop and having to leave the roadway to avoid a collision. I had the same mechanic, along with a family member who is experienced enough to understand what the mechanic showed him. It is the vac brake booster, the same part I just replaced, it failed. Without warnings, without any other factors that can explain what is causing this system to fail. I have not replaced this part again because I believe it is faulty by the gm factory and it will keep happening. I am scared it will continue to cause brake failure and I could potentially cause an accident that could be fatal.

Vacuum brake pump broke while driving leaving me unable to stop, luckily I was not in a horrible accident. No indicator lights came on. The part that broke went into my engine and was inspected by a mechanic.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the "brake system failure" message was displayed while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact parked the vehicle, and inspected the calipers but found no cause for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the abs warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the abs module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

See all problems of the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

I was driving on the freeway way and during rush hour at 65 miles per hour the brakes completely stoppped working the peddle wouldn’t press I had to swerve to avoid an accident and slowly exited the freeway when it was safe to coast over from the number one lane to the exit. The vacuum pump failed which exploded inside my engine which in turn makes the engine stop functioning and destroys the whole engine with out warning.

Unknown.

I was driving at a speed of 15/20mph on the snowy road with the awd activated, suddenly the car lost control and started going from one side to the other, crashing several times against the sidewalk, covered in ice. The fear that caused me was horrible, to take it back was very difficult, the car had no control even at 10 mph. The application diagnostic indicated antilock braking system and stabilitrak® stability control system. I do not feel safe in this 2024 Equinox rs.

The vaccum pump seized which is connected to the camshaft which broke causing the timing chain to break. This caused the vehicle to lose breaking g power and almost wreck.