32 of the
381 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Equinox EV
are about the braking system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2025.
On numerous occasions, while driving either on highways or streets, vehicle would brake on its own or aggressive braking when this type of braking was unnecessary. I was hospitalized for whiplash in one incident. After braking for NO REASON!!! GM sent a tow truck to pick up my vehicle, and I have not heard back for more than 100 days. If GM cannot fix this issue as stated in [XXX] then I should be compensated for the lack of use and my medical bills as well as loss of use. Not having a recall does not mean DEFECTS are not occurring!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11751192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On February 23, 2026, while driving my 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV home from Folsom Chevrolet following a prior repair visit, the “Service Park Assist System” warning illuminated, first intermittently, then after a few miles, continuously for the remainder of the 11-mile drive home. During the same drive, while reversing with no objects present behind or around the vehicle, the automatic emergency braking system activated and applied the brakes with significant force without cause. The vehicle was returned to Folsom Chevrolet (Repair Order #559378, opened February 23, 2026). Diagnostic code U1126 was found — indicating the left rear short range radar sensor had lost communication on CAN Bus 8. The sensor module was on national backorder, keeping the vehicle out of service for approximately two weeks. The module was replaced and programmed on March 7, 2026. Safety concern: Unexpected activation of automatic emergency braking with no objects present creates a serious collision risk from following traffic. This failure occurred on public roads during normal driving. Additionally, the U1126 CAN bus communication fault is the same vehicle communication architecture implicated in the battery/electrical failure documented in Repair Orders #558923 and #559167, suggesting these failures share a common root cause in the vehicle’s electrical communication network rather than representing isolated component failures.
NHTSA complaint #11727678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We have occasional issues with the car coming to a very abrupt stop for no apparent reason. Typically this will happen when going through an intersection or pulling into our garage. Auto braking has been disabled in the system settings for quite some time, and in fact, each time we get in the car we see a warning that forward anti-collision braking is off. This has happened twice withing the past 4 days and we have concerns that if it continues to be a more frequent issue it will cause an accident. I recently spoke with another GM owner who told me they are experiencing the same issue so I thought I should log a complaint to hopefully help instigate a recall/fix.
NHTSA complaint #11727089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front automatic emergency braking has activated abruptly three times in routine following traffic while I was already braking behind a slowing vehicle. It caused a very hard stop and nearly led to a rear-end collision from the vehicle behind me. Please inspect the forward camera/sensors, calibration, AEB settings, and check for any related fault codes or software issues.” This happened on 3/18 while I was getting ready to go onto the freeway and the cars in front of me slowed down I applied the brakes to slow down and the ABS brakes abruptly and strongly I was almost rear ended. There was another passenger that felt the same thing and commented on what happened.
NHTSA complaint #11725729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Automatic emergency breaking engaged while driving through an intersection when there was no danger or incoming car or need for it. If the car behind us was not paying attention they could have rear ended us.
NHTSA complaint #11722528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was waiting behind 2 cars at a red light to turn left. Once the light turned green, I slowly started to accelerate and turn, the car then came to an immediate stop in the middle of the intersection. The HUD indicated the front automatic braking was enabled. Luckily there was no one behind me so I wasn’t rear ended. This was at night time. This was a completely empty intersection besides the 2 in front of me.
NHTSA complaint #11710823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving South on interstate 55 near Arnold Missouri in adaptive cruise control mode at approximately 65 mph when the car braked suddenly and came to a complete stop on the interstate. Car would not go forward after stopping. Turned the car off and restarted and the car now would drive normally. Have not used ACC since and car has behaved normally. Took the car to dealership in Farmington, MO and they reported no error codes and no recalls. I had driven over 13,000 miles in the car without any incidents previously.
NHTSA complaint #11706698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to reverse, the brakes unexpectedly engaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V639000 (Forward Collision Avoidance). The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11701736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 10/26/25 at approximately 3:40pm while on a freeway (traveling approximately 65mph) with no traffic or cars in close proximity for the automatic brakes to be engaged, the 2025 ev equinox slammed its brakes on its own without driver braking. This caused whiplash to be experienced by two of the three passengers and it felt like we were rear ended but no cars were around. This is very dangerous. Had there been car behind me this would have caused serious accident.
NHTSA complaint #11695881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have driven the vehicle 13,000 miles without incident. However, twice this week, once moving forward and once backward, the emergency parking brake engaged without warning, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop. In both cases it was daylight, clear weather, with no visual indication of an obstacle in the vehicle's path. In response I have turned off its automatic braking/collision avoidance features and will see if that solves the problem. What is concerning, however, is that this did not occur for 13,000 miles, and then abruptly started.
NHTSA complaint #11693082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traveling down a gravel road, down hill with security gate at bottom of hill. Traveled 100's of times. starting going down hill and used brakes to slow, no slowing. Pushed harder and still no slowing. As hard as possible and hit the gate lots of damage to car. It was as if there were no brakes. In fact I think the car speeded up and the brakes released all the way.
NHTSA complaint #11691541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle will randomly brake on its own. I can be doing 70 on the interstate with no one around and it will disengage cruise and brake hard. It has nearly caused one accident when i had someone following me too closely.
NHTSA complaint #11687745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling into the parking lot of my job. The one pedal driving mode was on, and my vehicle was not slowing down like it generally does. So, I immediately stepped on the brake, and it still didn't slow down, it felt like a brick, I stepped on it harder. It still did not stop! I ran into the barn/building I work in. I was terrified!! What if there was a person there, or another car, or kids playing, etc. I immediately called the Chevy Dealership in Woodland at 8am, they had me tow the 2025 Equinox to them. I just talked to them at 4:30pm. They said there were no messages with regard to the braking system. They said they would install the update, and would continue to diagnose the problem. I do not feel safe in this vehicle, it poses a significant risk as a driver!
NHTSA complaint #11687451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11684322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When you hit the brakes on hurry car don’t stop it rolls and take longer to engage. Was involved on a rear end accident because of saw the car in front stop press the brake and suv just slow down but keep rolling forward.
NHTSA complaint #11684340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
(1) On Saturday 8/23/25, the braking system failed while driving on gravel roads going downhill. (2) I could not stop the vehicle going downhill. I thought I was going to crash. As I started to go downhill @ ~5 mph, I put my foot on the brake pedal, the car would not brake. Pressing hard or lightly didn’t make a difference. It felt like an anti-lock brake (ALB) pulse 1X and then gave up releasing all braking even though the foot is on the brake. The 2-way road is heavily used, smooth, wide, and maintained. Other vehicles were going down the gravel fine. The grade is ~10%. (3) The problem was reproduced numerous times on 8/24/25, while my husband drove on gravel going downhill and attempting to slow down or stop the car. This gravel is with potholes and some rocks starting w/ grades 5-6%. I was a passenger in the car. At one point I thought we were going to hit the on-coming car, because the brakes were not working properly. (4) An appointment is being made w/ the dealer to inspect the car. (5) (On 8/23) I am not aware of warnings or messages. (On 8/24) A “ABS” alert appeared on the display sometimes. Additional Info: (6) On 6/15/25, I drove on gravel with 5-10% grades w/o issues for ~6 miles. When I pressed on the brake pedal, the car slowed down without issues. ALB did not engage. (7) I have recently read break failure stories that are similar from other Equinox EV owners. "... my car has had two separate brake failures..." "… now going down a fairly steep gravel hill daily, i experience very little braking..." "… I pressed the brakes and there was no perceived braking for at least 20 feet... " ... brake failure this past weekend while descending a dirt/stone road… The ABS, would not shut off for our entire descent, which lasted for about 2 full minutes. During this time, we could not stop the car and were accelerating out of control…."
NHTSA complaint #11683458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I experienced a brake failure this past weekend in my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT while descending a dirt/stone road. The moment we started descending, the ABS system engaged and did not brake the car adequately. In my opinion, the ABS system should not have engaged in this terrain. The ABS, would not shut off for our entire descent, which lasted for about two full minutes. During this time, we could not stop the car and were accelerating out of control. We got going far faster than I was comfortable with, and my passenger & I thought we were going to end up crashing. After about a minute of inability to brake properly or stop, we ended up getting a flat tire. The flat tire, combined with the terrain flattening, eventually helped us come to a complete stop. After stopping, the car was also having software issues (infotainment system resetting), and the infotainment system was very hot to the touch, suggesting an electrical or software malfunction tied to the braking system. It was a very scary situation, but my passenger and I were not injured. This failure left me and my passenger completely out of control of the vehicle, with a high risk of collision, rollover, or serious injury. In my opinion, a braking system that does not stop the vehicle when the pedal is fully applied constitutes a critical safety defect. Chevrolet has been contacted, but the dealer refused to treat this as a warranty safety issue so far. The vehicle remains available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11683225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This has happened about 4 times in 4 months. In each scenario I am driving very slowly (3 times forwards, one time in reverse) with no obvious obstacle or crash potential. The brakes will slam suddenly very aggressively, I assume it is the e-brakes as it feels like I hit a wall. It is a safety issue as if someone was behind me it could cause an accident. This is discussed on multiple message boards(e.g. Hard braking without warning! | Chevy Equinox EV Forum https://share.google/EUGSD4XpQzOpnlUwy) but the manufacturer is not acknowledging any issue when contacted. I called the dealer as well and they were not aware of any issues. I have not had the vehicle inspected
NHTSA complaint #11682286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.