2020 Equinox Vacuum Pump Failure / Hard Brake Pedal

[Krissy]

2020 Chevy Equinox owner here. At approximately 75,000 miles, my vehicle suddenly displayed “Engine Power Reduced” while driving and the brake pedal became extremely hard due to a vacuum pump failure. I was able to stop safely, but it was a frightening experience, especially with my children in the vehicle.

The vehicle required teardown involving the vacuum pump, timing chain, camshaft, and VVT-related components. I preserved the original parts, documented the repair, and filed an NHTSA safety complaint.

Posting in case other Equinox/Terrain owners have experienced similar brake assist or vacuum pump failures.

 

[PoManNox]

Sorry this happened to you. This is a fairly common occurrence unfortunately. Some theories are GM suggested oil change intervals are too long, meaning if you change your oil more often, you're less likely to have the vac pump fail. The problem with these pumps are, any failure with them is going to be catastrophic. GM did wise up some starting in 2023 with the LSD version of the 1.5L engine that no longer has a cam driven vac pump.

 

[Lee]

I had the dealer replace mine at 49,000 miles and plan to have it replaced again at 90,000 miles.

 

[Krissy]

Smart move. It’s too bad that this has to become apart of maintaining the vehicle. I’ll consider doing the same.

 

[Krissy]

I had the dealer replace mine at 49,000 miles and plan to have it replaced again at 90,000 miles.

Smart move. It’s too bad that this has to become apart of maintaining the vehicle. I’ll consider doing the same.

 

[Krissy]

Sorry this happened to you. This is a fairly common occurrence unfortunately. Some theories are GM suggested oil change intervals are too long, meaning if you change your oil more often, you're less likely to have the vac pump fail. The problem with these pumps are, any failure with them is going to be catastrophic. GM did wise up some starting in 2023 with the LSD version of the 1.5L engine that no longer has a cam driven vac pump.

It seems to be common. My car was well maintained. No sludge and it was well lubricated.

 

[PoManNox]

It seems to be common. My car was well maintained. No sludge and it was well lubricated.

That's a great thing. Have you owned it since brand new? You really cannot go beyond 5K miles between oil changes on the LYX 1.5 engine, or any of these GDI turbo GM engines for that matter if you want them to last. With my usage of my 2021 Equinox 1.5, the oil life monitor would reach ~10% oil life remaining at about 7K miles. I do my own oil changes every ~4500 miles (OLM will usually be at ~40% at that point) and I use either Valvoline Restore and Protect, Mobil 1 Advanced clean, etc.

I'm currently at ~76K miles on my 2021 and may be swapping out the vac pump myself and new vac pump shaft seal soon.

Edit: In fact I just ordered a Genuine GM vac pump and seal kit off Rock Auto. $86.58 all in. Now I gotta swap it. LOL

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Such a stupid design. Let's run a vacuum pump off the cam, because when it seizes, and eventually it will, may as well take out other engine components in the process. SMH

I get to pick on GM because that's all I buy. I really hate this design. For the higher horsepower Ecotecs, we use block off plates and wire in an electric vacuum pump.

The 2010 Equinox came with an electric VP that can be used on most engines. I still need to do this to my LHU Equinox before I turn it up.

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