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: other or unspecified
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE APPROX 25 MPH WITH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN, THERE STARTS A VERY LOUD CONSTANT NOISE ALONG WITH THE ROOF PANEL VIBRATION THAT CAUSES A DISTRATING NAUSEA AND HEADACHE, AND VOICE MODULATION WHEN CONVERSING WITH PASSENGERS. YOU ARE FORCED TO RAISE THE WINDOWS TO PREVENT HEADACHE. IF ONLY ONE WINDOW IS OPEN THE NOISE IS STILL PRESENT BUT TO A LESSER AMOUNT. DEALER SERVICE ACKNOWLEGES BUT CLAIMS NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 7, 2018
TAKATA RECALL -CAR ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON NOW ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS ONCE ON HIGHWAY ONCE IN. SIDE STREET AND THEN IN AFTER JUST STARTING CAR . HAS BEEN SERVICE NOW ALL 3 TIMES AND EMU SYSTEM WAS FULLY REPLACED . IT WILL GO INTO SAFETY MODE AND THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THE ENGINE THEN RUNS HIGH AND CAR LOCKS UP. THE CAR IS FEELS LIKE IT IS STRESSING AT EVEN 35 MILES BEFORE THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. I HAVE SERVICE PAPERWORK FROM THE FIRST TWO SERVICES AND PICTURES OF THE CAR IN SAFETY MODE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME NOW. PURCHASE THE CAR ONLY 5 MONTHS AGO . ONSTAR PICKED UP ON HIGHWAY 5.30.18 , PICKED UP FROM SERVICE THEN ON 6.2.2018, HAD CAR FOR 2 HOURS CAR WENT BACK INTO SERVICE SAME DAY 6.2.2018 BACK TO DEALERSHIP, PICKED BACKUP 6.5.2018 AND THEN BACK IN DEALERSHIP 6.6.2018 FOR ON GOING ISSUES AND STILL THERE WITH NO RESOLUTION AT THIS POINT
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2018, crash
1) FCA - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWED OUR VEHICLE TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. IT INTERMITTENTLY WILL GIVE WARNING OF BEING CLOSE TO CARS IN FRONT OF IT. IN THE ACCIDENT THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE FCA 2) FAB - FORWARD AUTOMATIC BRAKING FAILED TO WORK - IT DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN OUR VEHICLE STRUCK A CAR IN FRONT OF IT. OUR VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 7MPH WHICH IS IN THE SPECIFIED RANGE PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. 3) LDW - LANE DEPARTURE WARNING DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WARN WHEN OUR VEHICLE CROSSES OVER A LANE MARKER LINE NOR DOES IT GIVE A GENTLE ASSIST TO THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND TOOK FOR A TEST DRIVE. THEY CLAIM THAT IT IS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATION, BUT AGREED THE SYSTEMS DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR AS ADVERTISED. WE TOOK A NEW 2018 EQUINOX FOR A TEST DRIVE, ANF FOUND THE FCA AND THE LDW FAILED TO PERFORM PROPERLY THE SAME AS IN OUR VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC FAILURE IN 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX VEHICLES
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2017
I WAS ABLE TO WALK IN FRONT OF MY EQUINOX, IN DRIVE, (UNKOWN TO ME) THINKING THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK.. START BUTTON IS INVISIBLE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS ALIGNED PROPERLY AND TO SMALL TO SEE, AND THE LIGHTS ON IT ARE TOO SMAIL. EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT. NO SUNSCREEN BANNER ACROSS FRONT WINDSHIELD
Steering, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 29, 2017
WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUES AND PUT 200+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE THE WARNINGS DID NOT COME BACK ON SO A FEW DAYS LATER THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND TO BE PICKED UP. WHILE DRIVING A WEEK LATER WITH THE KIDS IN THE VEHICLE THE CAR STARTED PULLING AND THE WARNINGS LIGHTS AND SCREEN WARNINGS SHOWED UP AGAIN AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN BACK IN AND THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE. THEY ESCALATED THE ISSUES TO GM, THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE IS WHAT WAS TOLD AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE A ETA ON HOW SOON THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO GET THE PARTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ASSEMBLE LINE AND IT WAS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL. THE TECH FOUND THAT THE "ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR AND ELECTRICAL MODULE" PRONGS WERE BENT AND BEING A BRAND NEW OF THE LINE VEHICLE THEY FOUND THE PRONGS WERE BENT AND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR AND ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. GM WANTED THE PART BACK AND SINCE HAVE BEEN IN A RENTAL. WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND IT WAS A HAZARD THE SERVICE DEPT. REPRESENTATIVE WAS DEFENSIVE AND UNPROFESSIONAL AS WELL AS DEFENSIVE WHEN STATED THIS IS AN ISSUE OF SAFETY AND HAZARDOUS. ONCE THE CONCERN WAS BROUGHT UP THAT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE AND WE WANTED ANSWERS OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE KIDS WHILE DRIVING BEING UNCOMFORTABLE EVEN IF FIXED, HE HUNG UP. MY SPOUSE WENT IN TO TALK WITH THE MANGER AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE ANY INFO BUT TO CALL GM AND TAKE IT UP WITH THEM AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT ESCALATE THE ISSUE TO GM MANUFACTURER AND GAVE THE NUMBER TO MY SPOUSE AND CLOSED THE DOOR ON HIM.