2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 408 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 23 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 30 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 29, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Campaign 20V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperAug 30, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Campaign 18V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMay 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Campaign 18V358000 on NHTSA.gov
VisibilityApr 19, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The driver and front passenger door window glass may not be properly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the glass in the front doors, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18136.
Campaign 18V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftAug 22, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
Campaign 17V516000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Forward collision avoidance, May 25, 2025
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Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jan 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in cold weather, the message "Caution. Engine Power Reduced" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the charge air cooler was replaced, and the CAC shutter, the temperature control valve and the winter grill cover were installed. Additionally, the ECM was reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: N222372590. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2023
When washing the vehicle through a standard car wash (Mister) in Minnetonka, MN 55345. The vehicle takes on gallons of water. This seems completely inappropriate. A car built in 2018 should be able to be washed. Taking on gallons of water on all areas of the floor board is unacceptable and ultimately a quality concern for mold and rust longer term.
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2023
The sun roof shade is inoperable. The sunshade retracts, but does not go back into the roof so the whole shade hangs down. This completely blocks the view of the driver out the back window and is a severe safety risk. Even when the sunshade is "closed" the material hangs down, continuing to block the drivers view out of the back window. The shade has come off the tracks and unglued. The issue has been confirmed as inoperable and an internal fault in the roof shade assembly by a Chevrolet dealership and needing to be replaced completely. I have taken it to several other shops around my city, and have been informed that this is a common problem that is being referred back to dealerships for fixing. There was no prior warning sign, and my car has been experiencing this issue since July 2023.
Structure, Sep 9, 2023
Aluminum hood corrosion on front hood lip on many Equinox models. I thought mine was a 1 off but after researching it, a ton of people are having this issue. Even other Chevys like the Colorado and the Traverse.
Air bags, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2023, crash
At 12pm on June 11, 2023 I was parked in a church sparking lot in East Rochester and was facing the church's stone wall. My vehicle was only 2 feet from the was when the car accelerated toward the wall and all of the airbags opened and the hood and side panels were affected causing the vehicle was considered totaled by my insurance. My foot was on the brake and I was preparing to put the car in park when the car lurched forward and hit the wall at a high rate of speed. GM examined the car and gave me a report I could not understand but their report indicated that there was not a vehicle defect. I find this highly improbable. I can send the report and perhaps your organization can read it or do your own inspection of my vehicle. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. This same thing has happened to 2 other people I know who drive Equinoxes. Best Regards, [XXX] [XXX] Cell [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Dec 13, 2022
I purchased my 2018 Chevrolet equinox on July3rd, 2018 with 2 miles on it. Current mileage 67,900 Stop/start system design defect. I have had to have my vehicle battery replaced 4 times in 4 years of ownership. The battery has failed again at 67,900 miles on 12/13/2022 which will be the 5th battery in its lifetime. My dealership said that due to the climate and road conditions where I live my stop/start system has been killing my battery cell every 16,975 miles causing my battery to fail. Chevrolet originally extended my warranty for 6months/ or 60k miles. They said they can no longer extend my warranty and that I’d be responsible for the next battery and future battery’s.
Structure, Dec 1, 2022
The clip at the bottom of the piston for the lift gate broke which caused the lift gate to fall. The strut got wedged between the body of the car and the rear reverse light so the lift gate didn’t end up falling on me but causing damage. Upon further inspection, the other strut’s clip is also cracked.
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 28, 2022
rear liftgate will only open most of the time it will not close when using the buttons on vehicle or on key fob, ongoing issue since
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 6, 2022
The vehicle first started having a cigarette residual smoke smell in it during the summer of 2019. It was right after a good rainfall, but we didn't know what to attribute it to. We called the local Chevrolet dealership and they weren't sure what it might be either. The odor would come and go over the last couple of years, but we couldn't figure out what it was from as none of my family members smoke. Then my husband went to run errands in my vehicle during a heavy downpour and heard water running inside of the car. He found water coming out of the fuse panel on the driver's side in the rear hatch (video available). He started removing the wet stuff in the rear hatch & when he got down to the spare tire compartment, he found it was filled with water. He also smelled the cigarette smoke-like odor like 10 times stronger than before & realized that it was due to the felt-like pad in the spare tire compartment being soaked in water. We again called the local dealership & they weren't sure what the problem might have been. My husband & stepfather did research and found out a lot of Equinox owners were experiencing the same issue & it had been determined that it was due to the sunroof water drainage system being clogged. The provided solution was to run air through the water drainage pipes, which my husband did. However, the vehicle still had some water appearing behind the driver's side seat during the lighter rainfalls afterwards. As well, the odor that smelled like cigarette smoke had now been replaced with a strong mildew/mold smell. This poses two major safety issues - water going into fuse boxes (water & electrical don't mix), as well as the mold/mildew being inhaled - especially of concern since we have two toddlers sitting in the backseat of this family vehicle. One dealership was unable to duplicate water inside the vehicle, but found the water drain pipes partially clogged. Other dealership noted mold/mildew smell and did an ozone detailing.
Structure, Feb 23, 2020
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE SPARE TIRE WELL.
Electrical system, Structure, Seats, Sep 11, 2019
WINDSHIELD WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED FROM THE MANUFACTURE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SEATS AND MIRRORS RANDOMLY MOVED. AT ONE POINT THE SEAT WAS SO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING HUSBAND'S STOMACH TO TOUCH THE WHEEL. THUS CAUSING THE INABILITY TO TURN AND CONTROL THE STEERING OF VEHICLE. MIRRORS MOVED RANDOMLY OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING INABILITY TO SEE BLIND SPOTS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 5-15. THIS FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 5-24. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED 6-10 AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE RAIN INSIDE THE UNSEALED WINDSHIELD CAUSED CORROSION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING AND CONNECTIONS. THERE IS CORROSION ALSO INSIDE THE BODY. THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR EITHER ELECTRICAL OR BODY.
Structure, Jan 21, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY SUNROOF OF PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED AND GLASS FELL INTO CAR. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT WITH ANY VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER HIT BY ANY OBJECT TO CAUSE SUNROOF TO SHATTER. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY, COOL, AND CLOUDY.
Structure, Jan 3, 2019
WE WERE DRIVING ON I-75 AT 70MPH. WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PANEL ABOVE THE BUMPER ON THE DRIVER SAD HAD TORN OFF. WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND WE BELIEVE IT JUST BLEW OFF THE CAR. WE FILED AN ALLEGATION WITH GM AND WERE DENIED. ON THE PHONE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT WE WERE DENIED DUE TO PRIOR BUMPER DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE AND GM WILL NOT PUT IT IN WRITING WHY THEY DENIED OUR CLAIM. ALSO THEY WILL NOT GIVE US A COPY OF THEIR REPORT OR THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT SAYING THAT IT IS PRIVATE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE PART DID NOT HIT ANYBODY BEHIND US AS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. NOBODY ELSE PULLED OVER BEHIND US, SO WE HAVE NO WITNESS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2018
2018 EQUINOX PREMIER SUNROOF GAVE OUT ON ME 5 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW. GM HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAS NOT FOUND A FIX. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OR MOTION. THE SUNROOF AND THE PRIVACY SCREEN WILL STOP OPENING/CLOSING. THEY HAVE REPLACED ALL THE WIRES AND THE ENTIRE SUNROOF AND NEW MOTORS AND IT STILL DOESNT WORK. GM CUSTOMER CARE IS NOT WORKING WITH ME AND SAYS THAT BASICALLY THEY WON'T HAVE A TIME WHEN I WILL GET MY CAR BACK. THEY AREN'T HELPING ME WITH A TRADE IN EITHER. THE DEALERSHIP IS HELPING ME (BRAVO AT LAS CRUCES NM). BUT GM THEMSELVES AREN'T TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT SOLELY IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE HEARD OF ATLEAST 8 OTHER CASES ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SOME WERE FIXED WITH A COMPUTER REBOOT BUT MINE CANNOT GET FIXED WHATSOEVER.
Structure, Jul 13, 2018
RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DUE TO DEFECTIVE LATCH. THE ORIGINAL LATCH, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT LATCH AND THE SECOND REPLACEMENT LATCH DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AS THE DOOR IS STUCK SHUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS IS SOMEONE NEEDS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE SECOND LATCH THIS MONTH (JULY 2018). THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.
Structure, Jan 6, 2018
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT IT, NO ONE IN FRONT ON ME, NO ONE PASSED. ME AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THEN THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE CAR DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM DID TAKE CARE OF ALL THE EXPENSES! BUT AFTER ALL, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND THANKFULLY I DID NOT GET CUT. I HAVE A NEW SUNROOF BUT I AM VERY AFRAID THAT IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN