2020-2023 GMC Terrain & Chevy Equinox Fuel Pump Problems Explained

Are you driving a 2020-2023 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain and noticing some odd behavior from your ride? Maybe it’s struggling to start, hesitating when you hit the gas, or stalling out at stoplights.

These could be signs that there’s trouble with your fuel pump, an essential part of keeping your engine happily humming along. Dealing with car problems is never fun, especially when they leave you stranded or worried about safety.

Here’s something you should know: General Motors has flagged this issue in certain models of these popular vehicles. They’ve even put out a recall to fix the defective pumps.

In this article, we’re going to dive into what fuel pump issues look like, why they’re more than just a nuisance and how they might even lead to legal action against GM.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what steps to take if your SUV is acting up. Ready for some answers? Keep reading!

GM Recall and Fuel Pump Problems

In March of 2023, General Motors issued a recall affecting certain Equinox and Terrain models due to malfunctioning fuel pumps. The recalled fuel pumps are responsible for causing symptoms like reduced engine power or even stalling.

General Motors warned vehicle owners that the parts to fix it wouldn’t be ready for some time. This was unfortunate for affected vehicle owners, as the fuel pump issue was serious. Fact is, this put drivers at risk on the road.

To GM’s credit, they wanted to stop any danger by fixing these SUVs as quickly as possible. However, some owners claim that even after receiving the recall fix, they began to have similar issues once again.

What are the Symptoms of a Fuel Pump Problem in Equinox and Terrain Vehicles?

If you own a 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain, it’s important to know the signs of a defective fuel pump. Here are key symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored:

• The check engine light turns on unexpectedly. This can be a sign that the fuel pump is having issues.
• Your engine hesitates during acceleration. The car might feel like it’s struggling to pick up speed.
• You might notice the engine stalling. This can happen while driving or when starting the car.
• Sometimes, the engine won’t start at all. Even if you turn the key, nothing happens.
• There could be a loss of power when driving uphill or carrying heavy loads.
• Drivers have reported a stuttering noise from the engine just before it stalls.

Customer Complaints and NHTSA Reports

Equinox and Terrain owners faced long waits for fuel pump replacements. Months and months went by without the necessary parts. Unfortunately, some owners who had their vehicles fixed saw their fuel pumps problems return once again.

This happened not just once, but several times for a few unlucky drivers. They felt frustrated as they counted on reliable transportation to get around.

As one can imagine, Equinox and Terrain owners have taken their grievances to the NHTSA, flooding the agency with tales of fuel pump woes.

Complaints detail owners vehicles stopping when not expected, and stalling or acceleration problems. However, despite a wave of complaints, many drivers feel that GM’s recall response hasn’t been up to par.

Here are just a few owners voices

When We Bought The 2020 Equinox On January 20, 2020 The Check Engine Light Came On And They Kept It 2 Days Diagnosing It And It Said A Fuel System Problem And They Told Us That They Contacted Gm Engineers Who Were Looking Into It And To Go Ahead And Drive It With The Light On Till They Got Back With Us. It Has Continued To Stay On I Had The Code Read Again And It Is A P2365 Fuel Pump A Low Flow/performance Code. I Do Not Like Driving It With The Light On, The Dealership Telling Me To, Not Hearing Anything Back From Them, The Remote Start Will Not Work With The Light On Which Is A Main Reason We Bought It.

NHTSA Complaint Number: 11385241

The engine cutoff while driving through a major intersection in 3/2022 with no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Subsequently, the engine cutoff while driving in 5/2023. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Each of these occurrences placed my life, my passengers life and the lives of others on the road in danger as an accident could have resulted if I was not able to coast out of harms way. GMC has an existing recall on the fuel pump module for 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. Why did this happen a second time after replacing the fuel pump module? Are they using a module included in the recall? I was charged $ 591 dollars for the repair in 3/2022 and no charge in 5/2023 as they stated it must have been a faulty module. I have no confidence in my safety and the module they used in 5/2023 is not faulty.

NHTSA Complaint Number: 11523286

My car has stalled and left me stranded twice now. In June a new Fuel pump control module was put in around 6/3/23 at 6152 miles and Feb 5 at 9064 miles, new FPCM was installed. GM insists there is no recall on my 2022 Equinox, yet this car has had the exact same issue as Recall: 23V013000, twice now. I am very concerned for the Safety of a car that will stop running while you are driving. When this part stops working the car stops running and will not start and leaves you stranded wherever you are. No lights/no warnings it just stops running. I was stranded in the middle of an eight lane busy road in Daytona, FL when my car stopped running. I had just come off the interstate, as I exited to the off ramp and came to a slower speed 30-40 MPH the car started sputtering and shaking before I made the right turn off the ramp. It sputtered about 2/3 blocks and it stalled. Once it started sputtering and shaking I had no power, giving it gas did nothing to increase the engine speed or speed up the car. I was left stranded until 3 guys pushed my car about 2 blocks to safety. My car also stalled in Orlando in June, at a stop sign, it would not start. We had to be out in the road flagging people to go around my car. These are the codes and fix each time. ECM – Engine System P129F The Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption. Work report from February 5, 2023 from Jon Hall Chevrolet, INC States: 9064 Verified P129F disconnected K111 FPCM 8 to 1.2 OHMS 9 to 2.4 OHMS 24 to 3.2 OHMS. Found 0.L between terminal 8 and 9 at K111 FPCM per document 5575881. Replaced Fuel Pump Control Module. Cleared Codes Test Drove Vehicle Operated as designed.

NHTSA ID Number: 11570393

While driving on a four lane highway during rush hour my gas peddle stopped working. I drifted to the side of the road, with cars blowing their horns at me. My car was like frozen! AAA came after 45 mins to tow me to the dealership. We were told, Yup its the fuel pump, we currently have 3 other vehicles with the same problem. It’s probably going to take at least a week to fix. No, they do not provide loaner car. Update: Dealership informed us that there’s no time limit insight to fix our vehicle. The fuel pump is on back order and there are thousands of cars countrywide awaiting for the part.

NHTSA ID Number: 11553933

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH and exiting a ramp to merge onto the highway in oncoming traffic, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed high-pressure fuel pump module. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts to complete the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

NHTSA Complaint Number: 11559559

We Did The Recall For The Fuel Module. Now The Fuel Guage Goes To Empty When Tank Is Full. Took It In For Repair They Said Couldnt Find Anything Wrong. A Few Days Later It Did Read Incorrectly Said Quarter Tank My Wife Ran Out Of Gas In A Bad Area. Called Preston The Dealer We Bought It From They Wanted Me To Bring It In Again I Told Them To Order The Part They Replaced Because We Never Had An Issue Till They Did The Recall. Was Told It Would Be 6 To 8 Months To Get Part. I Feel This Is A Bad Problem We Have To Watch Our Mileage To Make Sure We Dont Run Out Of Gas. Brand New Car And They Cant Get Parts Thats Ridiculous. And Now Engine Light Is On

NHTSA Complaint Number: 11556912

How to Address Fuel Pump Issues in Your Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain

If you own a Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain manufactured between 2020 and 2023, watch for early warning signs of fuel pump problems.

Key indicators of potential fuel pump issues include: difficulty starting the engine, unusual engine sputtering at high speeds, a noticeable loss in power when the vehicle is under stress (such as climbing hills or carrying heavy loads), and unexpected stalling.

These symptoms can signify a failing fuel pump, which is vital for delivering fuel to the engine.

If you encounter any of these problems, schedule an appointment with your local Chevrolet or GMC dealership service center.

Taking action at the first sign of trouble can save you time and money in the long run, ensuring your Equinox or Terrain remains reliable and roadworthy.

If you’re facing troubles with your Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain made between 2020 and 2023, don’t stay silent. Send us your car complaint today, or share your story in the comments section below.

And if you’re in the market for a Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain, ensure a smooth ride by running a vehicle reliability report to find the most dependable years. Your peace of mind starts here.