2021 Chevrolet Equinox Brakes Problems

Vehicle suffered an intermittent, severe, and dangerous total loss of acceleration while driving in rainy conditions. Upon pressing the accelerator pedal from a stop, the vehicle rolled slowly for 5 to 10 seconds and completely ignored all gas pedal input before finally accelerating. The engine remained at a smooth, dead idle and failed to rev up entirely during the failure, creating an immediate traffic hazard. A scan revealed an active ABS system failure. This dangerous safety hazard occurred less than 4 weeks after a certified GM dealership (Grieco Chevrolet of Fort Lauderdale) performed the official GM Safety Recall N222372310 for Inadequate Fuel Pump Flow on September 4th. The fuel pump recall requires lowering the fuel tank, which sits directly adjacent to the rear ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harnesses. Both GM Corporate and the local dealership have refused to safety-inspect the vehicle's rear wiring harness workmanship for post-recall damage or water intrusion without charging a diagnostic fee, despite the severe driving risk. There were no warning messages or other symptoms prior to this occurring.

NHTSA ID

11767976

Incident

Sep 29, 2026

I was driving in GA and my low engine power light came on and I lost complete ability to brake. The brake pedal was hard and would not go down. I towed my car to Jim Ellis Chevrolet in Atlanta. They called a few days later and told me I needed extensive engine repairs that would cost over $5,000 but GM would take care of some of it. I paid $1980.00. I went to pick up my car and was nervous because I lost brakes on a highway and was afraid. I asked them if they were sure everything was repaired and I would be safe and they told me it was tested extensively and driven and all was good. I drove around 2 hours after leaving and my engine light came on and my brakes failed again going 70 miles an hour surrounded by semis. I called Jim Ellis and they told me to tow it to Walter Jackson who told me it was a vacuum pump that they would have had to remove during the repairs. In addition there is a class action against GM about these pumps for my year and make of car. I have asked for a refund from Jim Ellis contacting ownership, GM, Service Team and no one will respond to my calls or emails. I filed a customer complaint with GM and they are accepting zero responsibility as well. I paid thousands of dollars between both repairs and rental cars and the least I would like for them putting my life and others around me at risk on a freeway is my money back.

NHTSA ID

11742151

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

Vehicle vibrated when applying the brakes. It started being noticeable when braking at high speeds around January of 2023 and progressively became worse over time. Took it to dealership in January of 2024 to get inspected under warranty. Per dealership, the front brake pads looked brand new (only 21,000 miles on car and no excessive braking) but the rotors were warped and had hot spots on them. It was unclear how the rotors became hot when the brake pads looked brand new, to the point the dealership asked if we had replaced the pads recently. The dealership had no answers as to why the rotors became hot. Per dealer, front rotors had vertical wave lines indicative of excessive heating. They turned the rotors but they still showed hot spots. Rotors were replaced.

NHTSA ID

11570615

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the front driver's wheel detached from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The contact was injured; she had a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,680. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11539391

Incident

May 7, 2023

Mileage

21,680 mi

I've had to replace the brake booster sensor & the part by the vacuum to brake booster this is second time I'm have to replace it . So dangerous to be driving a vehicle on highway and you loose your brakes makes pedal hard . I also have to replace exhaust crankshaft position sensor, oil pressure sensor, engine underfoot won't stay running when it's idle oil pressure control silinoid valve , barometric pressure sensor

NHTSA ID

11505300

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

2021 Chevy equinox vacuum pump failed causing the breaking to become impossible to use while operating.

NHTSA ID

11495225

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

Was driving 75mph on interstate and had to brake for car in front of me and had ZERO brake assist. Pedal was extremely hard to push and almost no braking power for vehicle. Vehicle has only 32,450 miles on it. Braking assist never returned and had to get vehicle in for service.

NHTSA ID

11473308

Incident

Jul 11, 2022

WE BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY EQUINOX. ONE DAY LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE ON I-75, MY WIFE ENGAGED THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THINKING IT WAS A CONSOLE LATCH. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND ONLY BECAUSE I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, DID WE AVOID A ROLL OVER. STILL WE ENDED UP PARTLY IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BESIDE US AT THE TIME. ADRENALINE SHOT THROUGH BOTH OF US AS WE REALIZED THAT ANY VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO US COULD HAVE HIT US OR WE HIT THEM AND SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT HAVING THE EMERGENCE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL IN THE CENTER CONSOLE NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS AND IN A SPACE WHERE OTHER THINGS MIGHT BE STORED, IS A HAZARD. ONLINE WE FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR INSTANCES WHERE SOMEONE DID THIS SAME THING EITHER ACCIDENTALLY OR EVEN ON PURPOSE. THIS CONTROL DOES NOT BELONG IN A SPACE WHERE SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE DRIVER COULD ACCIDENTALLY ENABLE IT. CURIOSITY OR SIMPLE IGNORANCE COULD COST A LIFE. CHEVY MADE IT EASY WITH THIS HAZARDOUS DESIGN! RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN NAPLES, FL WOULD NOT LET US CANCEL THE PURCHASE; THEY SAID WE "TOOK DELIVERY EVEN THOUGHT THE SALEMAN CALLED BECAUSE WE HAD NOT SIGNED THE TITLE PAPERWORK IN THE CORRECT PLACE. I SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK SINCE WE NEVER COMPLETED THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF PAPERWORK. ANY CHANCE YOU COULD TELL ME IF WE CAN OR CAN'T MAKE THEM RETURN OUR TRADE-IN AND CANCEL THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR THAT "BUY" ANOTHER OLDER, USED MODEL THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT EQUINOX FEATURE. WE ARE LEARY NOW. HELP!

NHTSA ID

11413352

Incident

Apr 18, 2021

Mileage

315 mi