2023 Chevrolet Equinox Brakes Problems
9 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (9)
Entering a freeway off-ramp at about 65 mph, I depressed the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor with little resistance. Two error messages were displayed on the dashboard: "Brake System Failure - 62 MPH Top Speed" and "Service ESC". The following dashboard lights came on: Check Engine, Brake, ESC, ABS. I held the brake pedal to the floor and coasted to a complete stop at the intersection, then proceeded slowly into a nearby parking lot and stopped. Braking effort did not become difficult, rather it was reduced to a small fraction of normal braking power. An online search indicated that disconnecting/reconnecting the negative battery terminal might resolve the problem, and it did, allowing me to carefully drive home with full braking. The local Chevrolet dealer replaced the brake system control module based on GM document 5081450.
TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ON DOWN HILL GRADE. GOT VEHICLE STOPPED. 8600 MILES ON VEHICLE. WE ARE WAITING FOR BACK ORDERED PART. A MONTH WAIT TILL AVAILABLE.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The check engine, ABS, and traction control warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact managed to coast the vehicle home and used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed from the residence to the dealer. The contact was informed that the ABS valve kit was defective and needed to be replaced; however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 10,002.
I intended to pull the vehicle behind my RV using a tow dolly. I loaded the vehicle on the tow dolly per the owner’s manual and left the key fob in my RV. After about 15 mins, we began our trip and the vehicle pulled behind without issue. About 10 miles down the road, I stopped to check the securement straps to make sure they were still tight and I also needed to check the steering strap to make sure it was still tight as well. After doing so, we proceeded down the road for a very short distance (approx 100 feet or so) when we noticed smoke behind us. We immediately pulled over and observed that the rear tires were locked up by the emergency brake setting on the vehicle. We tried several times to get the vehicle to release the emergency brakes, only to have the emergency brake reset on its own after pulling the vehicle forward only a couple of feet. We ended up taking the vehicle off the dolly only to discover that the two rear tires had already been ruined by flat spots on them. Come to find later, by reading on the vehicle forums of our particular year and model, that others were experiencing the same issue. It was discovered through reading the forums the vehicles electronics need to go to sleep (approx 10-15 minutes) before you can safely tow the vehicle. This makes sense to me now, because we had no issue when we first started on our trip. The issue didn’t occur until we had to get into the vehicle using the key fob. My main concern here is that this should be included in the owner’s manual as part of the steps or at least a cautionary to tow on a dolly. This is definitely a safety issue, as the tires could have blown or started a fire if I continued down the road without notice.As it stands, I will be required to purchase two new tires to replace the rear tires that only had 2,000 miles on them. I made contact with Chevrolet customer service on 11/13/2023 to advise them of the issue and they should consider including more detail in the owner’s manual.
MY 2023 Equinox owner's manual states that the Equinox can be safely flat towed behind a motorhome with all four wheels on the ground. I bought the vehicle based on this statement in the owners manual. However, when flat towing the Equinox behind a motorhome through turns such as cloverleaf offramp of freeways that have a banked side to the turn the brakes on the car lock and the car loses traction and slides. The Equinox tires make a loud screeching noise and the smell of burning rubber is noticed. This condition begins shortly after the Equinox enters the turn and ends once the Equinox completes the turn. This happens at or below the posted speed limit on these off-ramps. The loss of controlled traction of the Equinox in a freeway offramp presents a safety hazard because I can no longer ensure that the Equinox is moving in a controlled path. I am also concerned that the stresses being applied to the hitch of the motorhome and the structure of the Equinox from being dragged around a freeway curve may result in damage to structural elements of both vehicles that are designed to prevent disconnection of the car from the motorhome. This might result in a failure of the hitch connection resulting in a runaway vehicle. I brought this issue to GM's attention and there has been no fix to date.
On Aug 6, I started my car and tried to apply the brakes. My foot went all the way to the floorboards. The Brake warning lamp and stability warning lamps came on and would not go away. I tried restarting the car and the problem remained. The brakes were not properly functioning. On August 7, I took my car to the dealership. They saw the warning lamps, but the brakes were working. GM told them to just clear the codes and let me drive it. The service manager would not and is waiting for a part (5 weeks later). I will also include the information from OnStar with the codes.
Vehicle was set up per manual to be flat towed behind our motorhome. We followed the set-up steps according to the manual exactly. When driving and applying the brakes for more than a few seconds the front tires would lock up and squeal. This same situation happened when making a hard curve like a cloverleaf exit ramp.
was traveling about 45mph when warning lights come on engine light, brake light, abs light and "P" light and traction light. When brake petal was applied the petal went to the floor. Emergency brake would not work.
I went to the gas station to fill the car with gas. I pulled along the pumps and put on the brakes but they failed and I applied again failed again so I put into netural and ran into a pole. I called GM and they checked the brakes could not find any problem. I ask if they checked the computer but they didn't know. the Equinox only had 170 miles on it. That is my problem.