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, Engine, Sep 8, 2020
10/2019 - WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, COMING INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PUSHED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THEY WERE VERY HARD AND WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THEM DOWN. ENDED UP HAVING TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. VACCUM PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE IN MY BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM. IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 9/2020 - DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. AGAIN HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. THIS TIME WHEN THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, IT BROKE A GEAR CAUSING METAL PIECES TO BE SUCKED IN THE ENGINE AND NOW MY ENGINE IS NEEDING REPLACED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BASED ON THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR WHILE TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS AND BEING UNABLE TO STOP. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE PUTTING IN THIS VEHICLE
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2020
WHEN IDLING OR AT A STOPPED LIGHT MY CAR JERKS WHEN I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. IT HAS DONE THIS 4 OR 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG. I THINK THEY ARE WAITING UNTIL MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BEFORE THEY ADDRESS IT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 29, 2020
WINDSHIELD BECOMES FOGGY EASILY WHEN TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE CHANGES (TOO COLD) BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT CLEAR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 18, 2020, fire
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AREA AND ALL I COULD SMELL WAS BURNED PLASTIC. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT. NOT EVEN A MINUTE LATER THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2020
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THERE WERE NO CRACKS, OR CHIPS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
THE SUNSHADE IN THE EQUINOX 2018 PREMIER EDITION HAS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. IT HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SENT PLASTIC PIECES FLYING AND I ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR!
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2020
THE SUNROOF OPENED TWICE BY ITSELF , ONE IT SAT FOR AWHILE I GOT IT CLOSED AND IT HAS NEVER OPENED AGAIN. NO POWER AS IF THE FUSE IS BLOWN NOW.
Service brakes, Jul 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS FIRM CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. RADLEY CHEVROLET (3670 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, (540)898-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Service brakes, Jul 23, 2020
9 MONTHS AGA, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. DASH SAID SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST. TURNER CHEVROLET IN CROSBY, TX REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP MAKING THE BRAKES WORK. NOW WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN BOTH CASES, WE INSTANTLY LOST ALL BRAKING, BUT WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BY LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN.
Wheels, Jun 29, 2020, crash
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HEARD A LOUD BANG DRIVER FRONT .FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL 6 TIMES UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY POLICE AND MECHANIC FRONT RIM EXPLODED AND DETACHED FROM VEHICLE LUG NUTS ARE THERE AND CENTER OF RIM IS THERE TIRES ARE ALL NEW BUT RIM WAS GONE
Tires, Jun 22, 2020
2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED 3 OF THE 4 HANKOOK TIRES WEAR BADLY WORN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. *JS
Power train, Engine, May 27, 2020
WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE OR SPEED UP FROM A OFF OR ON RAMP, ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK ESC LIGHT, ALL COME ON AND CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ABLE TO BE USED. ENGINE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AS WELL. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, May 15, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING. WHEN I GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT AND HIT A CAR ALMOST HEAD ON. AS MY TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED RED I STARTED TO BREAK BUT MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME. WHICH FELT LIKE A BRICK. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES BUT IT WOULD NOT PUMP IT JUST STAYED VERY HARD LIKE A BRICK. I START TO SLIDE WHILE NOT REALLY REDUCING SPEED I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE BIT TRYING TO AVOID THE ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS WELL CAUSING ME SLIDE RIGHT INTO A CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakes, May 2, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I JUNE 28TH OF 2018. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITH COMPLAINTS OF SQUEAKING FROM BRAKES MIRROR ALERT PROBLEMS TRUNK STICKING AND THE SUSPENSION HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE I FIRST STARTED DRIVING IT I'M NOTICING IT. EVERY TIME I COMPLAIN THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG EXCEPT FOR AT THE BEGINNING OF MY LEASE IT HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES SQUEAKING IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WAS RECOMMEND TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS AND IN THE SAME CONVERSATION WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AT BALISE CHEVY BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THIS VEICHELE WAS A LEMON. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO KEEP TAKING THIS BRAND NEW VEICHELE BECAUSE IT WAS A LEASE SO THEY DID NOTHING. BALISE CHEVY IN WARWICK SHOULD HAVE NOTES OF COMPLAINTS. I ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HURD AUTO MALL IN JOHNSTON. THERE WAS A SLOW LEAK IN ONE OF MY TIRES AND BALISE COULD NOT FIND THE LEAK SO I WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEY WOULD SUBMERGE THE TIRE AND CHECK THAT WAY. THEY SENT ME HOME THE TIRE CONTINUED TO LEAK AIR MY LAST OIL CHANGE WAS DONE AT HURD AUTOMALL IN JOHNSTON WHERE THEY DID AN OIL CHANGE FOUND THE TIRE LEAK NO PROBLEM AND FIXED IT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2020
VEHICLE DEALERSHIP DID GENERAL SERVICE ON 04/08/2020 AND REPORTED THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE NEAR 2/32" WITH ONLY 12,580 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A MICHELIN RECALL FOR THESE TIRES. I COULD NOT FIND ONE LISTED, THE TIRES INVOLVED ARE MICHELIN LTX 225/60R 18 100H DOT B5 14 016X 2317.
Tires, Mar 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EQUIPPED WITH MICHELINE TIRES, TIRE LINE: PREMIERE LTX TIRES, TIRE SIZE: 225/65/R17 N/A, DOT NUMBER UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MORAN CHEVROLET CLINTON TWP LOCATED AT (35500 GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TWP, MI 48035, (866) 774-3206) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE ON BOTH THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRES WERE 15,800.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 22, 2020
MY CAR LITERALLY DIED OUT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS WENT UP HIGH AND IT STARTED TO SPUTTER. AT ONE POINT HAD TO PUSH FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON GAS PEDDLE
Power train, Engine, Mar 13, 2020
TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE, I REPORTED TO THEM A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH CAR HESITATING TO ACCELERATE ANDJERKS AT SPEED BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH ALSO PASSSENGER CAN FEEL THIS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID NOTHING SHOWED ON COMPUTER BUT GM HAS SOFTWARE ISSUE. FOR THE PRICE OF CARS FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE TO HAVE TO DRIVE AN OTHERWISE NICE CAR I NOTICES SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE
Wheels, Mar 12, 2020
EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, 17,700 MILES, TREAD DEPTH ACCORDING TO LEASE INSPECTION REPORT DEPTH 2.5/32. TIRES WERE ROTATED 2X. BRAND OF TIRE IS MICHELIN 225//65/17 PREMIER LTX. WAS TOLD BY LEASE COMPANY INSPECTOR TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. DOT M3 3T 02VX 4817
Power train, Mar 10, 2020
I HAD STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR. THE CAR MOVED FORWARD BUT DID NOT PROCESS THROUGH THE GEARS STAYING IN FIRST GEAR ONLY. PULLED OVER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN IT WORKED FINE. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY. WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. IT WAS AS IF INSTEAD OF SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR IT SOMEHOW SHIFTED INTO 3RD WHICH LEFT ME WITH NO ACCELERATION AS I PULLED OUT TO MAKE A LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 2/4/2020 BUT DEALER SERVICE GARAGE DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. FILED A CLAIM #9-5847192733 WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY SAID THAT IF THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THEN THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I REVIEWED WITH THEM THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY PERFORM THE WORK THE MANUFACTURED ALLOWED THEM TO WHICH WAS TO CHECK THE BATTERY CABLES TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE TIGHT.
Engine, Mar 8, 2020
THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND AT TIMES DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, PRIMARILY NOTED IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. HESITATIONS HAVE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OCCASIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR INPUT, ONCE OCCURRING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION AND ONE TIME OCCURRING WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRING ON CITY STREETS WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEFECT APPARENTLY IS WITH THE CHARGE AIR COOLER.
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S PARENTS OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JEFF GORDON CHEVROLET (228 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO WESTGATE CHEVROLET OF BURGAW (1320 US-117, ST HELENA, NC 28425) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Feb 23, 2020
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE SPARE TIRE WELL.
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I CAME TO A STOP AND THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. THIS IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR DID NOT RESTART. WHEN THAT HAPPENED THE ENTIRE CAR WENT DEAD. I COULD NOT TURN ON THE HAZZARD SIGNAL, I COULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS, ONSTAR WOULD NOT WORK. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. NOTHING AT ALL HAPPENED. I THEN TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. I THEN TRIED ONSTAR AGAIN, BUT EVEN THOUGH THE GREEN LIGHT WAS ON, NOTHING HAPPENED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR SO THAT IF IT GOT HIT, I WOULD NOT BE HURT. THE CAR WAS IN THE RIGHT DRIVING LANE OF AN EXTREMELY BUSY HIGHWAY AND I COULD NOT GET IT OFF THE ROAD.
Engine, Feb 7, 2020
WHEN COMING TO A STOP ENGINE CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF