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
408 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Dec 31, 2021
While attempting to apply the brakes to slow down a message appeared on the instrument panel that said Service Brake Assist.. My safety was put at risk by not having proper breaking. The problen was addressed at a gm dealer and I was told there are no recalls for this type of problem for my vehicle.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 25, 2021
engine problems
Engine, Dec 8, 2021
On approximately 11/18/21 3:30 pm I drove my car and the engine just died. Busy street. It took me 30 minutes to restart and pull safely into the first parking lot I could get to. every time I went to start vehicle it would take 3-4 minutes each time, I had to turn car completely to stop the car from trying to start. When it finally started it would only go 10 feet before the engine stopped running. I had to have my car towed to the dealership. On 12/8/21 the dealership called me and said the the pump which is inside the engine failed and that the engine would have to be replaced for $8,500.00 HELP!
Service brakes, Dec 8, 2021
The power booster brake assist vacuum pump, without any warning, failed while exiting the freeway. My wife couldn't stop the vehicle. Replaced unit for $750.00. Now Fine SCARED the crap out of her. Approximately 84,000 miles. This is a sealed unit. I am a highly skilled machinist and I have made braking components for auto and aircraft and disassembled and reassembled for evaluation to determine cause and to remedy problem. What happened? DEFECTIVE PARTS OR POOR DESIGN. I request all replaced damaged parts so I have the part here. I did my research and have seen this is an ongoing problem with GMC and yet NO recall. HELP!
Service brakes, Nov 28, 2021
1. The brake component that failed was the vacuum pump. It has been repaired and is not available for inspection. 2. I lost braking ability(the ability to brake normally) on a major interstate in Georgia while driving 74 mph. By stomping on the brakes with full body weight, I was able to drop back in traffic, eventually find an exit to pull off the road. 3. The service report from the dealership that fixed it stated, "Customer states the vehicle has very limited brakes. You have to apply brake pedal extremely hard to stop.....Customer concern verified. No brake vacuum present." 4. Do not know. 5. Right before the incident occurred a light signaling something about the brakes came on. That was wile the car was moving at 74 mph.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2021
For about a month the Traction Control Light comes on, the Service Brakes Assist Light comes on, the Alternator Symbol comes on. Yesterday, Monday, November 22, 2021, the vehicle stopped while driving on the street and it required a jump to get it started again. It has been very slow when starting back when at the red/green light. Very sluggish to slow motion to get speed. The system was showing low oil percentage at 53% but oil was changed three months ago and is not due for change until January, 2022 at 47281 miles. Current mileage is 45740/50. Took car back to Art Moran last Friday to have system reset since it had not been done at the time of oil change. Please respond ASAP. My father is 80+ and he was very frightened when the car stopped on him.
Service brakes, Nov 1, 2021
While driving on an interstate I had to brake suddenly and the brakes were extremely difficult to engage. I was able to get to the shoulder and down shift the transmission in order to stop. The vehilces brake booster had failed. There were no warning lights to inform me. Fortunately, I had a repair warranty to fix the brake booster. However, I feel this may be a problem that GM should be made aware of.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 29, 2021
While driving the traction and stability lights came on along with the ESC service light. Also my Lane assist stopped working. It stayed on for at Least 30 mins until I turned off the car and restarted. Stopped at the closest garage and they checked the battery and used a scan tool to identify that it had a fault code U0121 Lost Communication with Anti-lock Brake System Module.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle began to sputter with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 41,400.
Power train, Seat belts, Service brakes, Oct 18, 2021
Was heading to run some errands and when I parked my car I try to release my seat belt buckle and it was not releasing. So I had a knife and I tried wiggling it so the buckle would release and it did not so I was frustrated and broke the seatbelt for driver as well as my rear seat belt. My transmission has been acting weird since 2019 and it happen every morning when it starts running my car shakes for a little then it would run fine. And for brakes my brakes would hesitate and shake as is braking.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2021
The ac went out on the 2018 equinox and the dealership replaced and ac line citing it was the wrong line and a bolt from the fan shroud rubbed a hole in the line. I have the pictures the dealership took prior to repairs. the hose and we line it up with the bolt on the fan shroud and we do not see how the bolt would rub the hose. It has to be a factory defect.
Service brakes, Oct 2, 2021
The electronic parking brake unexpectedly and automatically engaged while I was driving. The car would jerk and instantly slow down. It didn't matter if I was on a freeway going 55 mph or on a side street going 20 mph. In the course of 24 hours, it got worse and worse. It was extremely dangerous, because I would slow and / or stop unexpectedly in front of cars behind me. I could disengage it with the button, but in just a matter of minutes it would engage again. Finally, I could not disengage it anymore, and I had to park it on the side of the road and get it towed. This was a car rented from Hertz in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2021
After being in a severe accident w/ another 2018 equinox I purchased a used 2018 equinox w/ 10k miles on it . saved my life 1x - i was happy with the car. In Dec 2019 my front passenger headlight went out. Still under warranty I had the dealer replace the bulb. In late December 2020 my front passenger headlight went out again. I was told it was over $400 to fix. This was "replacing the lightbulb". I decided to purchase my own lightbulb from a reputable source. The problem is not the lightbulb but instead the ballast or the wiring. I have NEVER had to replace a lightbulb in any of my cars before let alone 2 in two years. Chevy told me that I was out of luck because I was 2 weeks after the bulb under warranty was replaced... REALLY? So now I am without a front headlight and not willing to pay to have this repaired since it is obviously a manufacturers defect. Chevy has NOT been helpful and neither has my local dealership. My safety is being put at risk because I can not see 1/2 of the road with 1 headlight. Cars can only see 1/2 of my car oncoming. There have been no warning lights etc.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2021
I was driving 55 mph heading to a friends for the weekend with another one of my friends and my dog. It started raining and it was scaring my dog to see the rain drops on the sunroof so I closed the shade. About 15 minutes later there was a loud constant sound almost like a warning so I looked at my dash, radio ect to see what was going on and about 3-5 minutes after the loud constant whining sound started there was a loud boom!! sounded like a bomb or gunshot. I pulled over and got out to look and found a hole in my sunroof. By looking at it you can totally see that the pressure or blast was from the inside as the glass on the sunroof was pushed outward. I took this to a GM dealer and the service manager was rude and kept saying it was from something in the roadway which it was NOT!! The road was clear and it was still light out. Besides what was that sound from then??? This is unsafe and the outcome could have turned out way worse.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jul 26, 2021
62 k Miles car completely shut down and power steering became useless making it extremely hard to even move out of traffic. There were no warning lights Car has always been fully serviced at dealership. Vac pump failed causing camshaft to break , bending pistons New engine required. Car at dealership going into 3 weeks now
Power train, Jul 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The emission testing message was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was leaking fuel into the oil causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2021
Panoramic Sunroof buckled and shattered. (thank goodness we weren't driving it at the time). Police were notified as we weren't sure if it was vandalism but seeing the way the frame buckled and the glass concave it's a defect
Visibility, Seats, Jul 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side front seats were designed to be too low which caused a blind spot on the front passenger’s side when the contact was in the front driver’s seat. The contact drove over a flower bed at the park due to the front passenger’s side blind spot visibility issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Service brakes, May 26, 2021
Dealership stated that it is an internal failure of the vacuum pump. Have had the Vacuum pump fail 2 times since I got it and now it just occurred for the 3rd time. Had it replaced by a dealership both times before and will be bringing it back there this afternoon. No warning light. Brakes just stop working while driving. They feel very hard and barely stop the car. Have to use the emergency brake to stop the car. First and second time it happened I was going about 45-50 mph, coming up to the red light and had no brakes. No previous issue or warning. This time I was in a parking lot so not that fast but had no brakes all of a sudden again.
Service brakes, May 24, 2021
I waa getting off the highway on an exit ramp and my brake pedal started vibrating. Then I could not depress the brake pedal, it wouldn't budge. It was as hard as a rock. I then lost my breaks and almost had a major accident. I swerved and ended up on the grass shoulder near the woods. Then the “Service Brake Assist” message came on the dashboard, and the engine light came on. It was the most scariest experience I have encountered and now I no longer want to own this car. I had it towed to Apple Cheverolet in York Pa.
Electrical system, Seats, Apr 3, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SLIDE SUDDENLY FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO DO SO EVEN AFTER THE POWER SEAT WAS REVERSED. IN SOME INSTANCES THE SEAT WASHED PUSHED SO FAR FORWARD I COULD NOT CONTINUE SAFELY AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. USUALLY AFTER A SHORT WAIT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DRIVING SITUATIONS, HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. I FOUND AT LEAST 5 BULLETINS ISSUED BY GM REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM DESCRIBED THE BULLETIN NUMBER IS PIT5608D. THE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED BETWEEN 2018 AND 2021.
Power train, Mar 17, 2021
WHEN ACCELERATING IT WILL CREATE A HARD SHIFT OR NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO 2ND OR 3RD GEAR. ALSO, WHEN AUTO STOP/START ENGAGES IT JOLTS THE CAR WHEN STOPPED.
Visibility, Mar 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS EMITTING AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SHE WAS HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO MOLD WHICH CAUSED HER CONGESTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CONTACT NHTSA SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFROSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Mar 6, 2021
TWICE IN TWO YEARS MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. THIS TIME IT HAS ABOUT 5300 MILES ON IT. IT MAKES A NOISE WHILE DRIVING IT. IT SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE A SMALL PLANE IS FLYING BEHINDS YOU. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE DRIVING, HIGHWAY, SMALL TOWN DRIVING, ETC. AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE IN ALL WHEEL DRIVE OR NOT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2021
WHEN USING THE BLUETOOTH/HANDSFREE WITH MY PHONE WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, THE RADIO UNIT WITH DIAL OUT A CALL, BUT WHEN THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END PICKS UP THAT PERSON CAN NOT HEAR ME. THE PERSON WILL SAY HELLO SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HANGING UP. THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND COULDN'T GET AHOLD OF SOMEONE TO TALK TO IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY 3 YEARS/36000 MILES.