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2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

187 reports with mileage · 220 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports

Power Train complaints

65 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2021
Power TrainSeat BeltsService Brakes

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 sinc…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11437266

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteering

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11426448

80,000 miles · Jul 19, 2021
Power Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11425526

92,000 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11403578

1,000 miles · Mar 6, 2021
Power Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11399453

49,500 miles · Dec 31, 2020
Power Train

THE CAR STARTED GOING INTO AUTO STOP AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ONE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT STOP SIGNS. THIS CAUSED US TO ALMOST HAVE A WRECK BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T GO WHEN IT NEEDED TO WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD WHEN IT WAS CLEAR TO GO. IT CREATED A TIME LAG THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.WE ALSO ALMOST ROLL…

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THE CAR STARTED GOING INTO AUTO STOP AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ONE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT STOP SIGNS. THIS CAUSED US TO ALMOST HAVE A WRECK BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T GO WHEN IT NEEDED TO WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD WHEN IT WAS CLEAR TO GO. IT CREATED A TIME LAG THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.WE ALSO ALMOST ROLLED INTO THE CAR BEHIND US WHILE STOPED AT AN INTERSECTION ON A HILL THAT ENTERED A HIGHWAY. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME THEY CHARGED US FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND ONLY CLEARED THE CODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE PICKED IT UP. THEN THEY CHANGED A SENSOR, AND WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK. THEN THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE TO BRING IT BACK THE SAME DAY. THEN THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WE JUST PICKED IT UP TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11385951

51,000 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Power Train

MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THIS PAST WEEK THAT OUR 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX WILL ACCELERATE ALL ON ITS OWN WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. WE FEEL THIS INCREASE IN SPEED WITHOUT INPUT IS DANGEROUS. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA THAT SOLD US THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11383853

16,000 miles · May 27, 2020
EnginePower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11326163

1,800 miles · Mar 13, 2020
EnginePower Train

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11317938

20,074 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Power Train

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. WEN…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11317240

Official recalls

5

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

18V252000 · Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit; Visibility

Apr 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

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."

Consequence: If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Visibility

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."

Consequence: If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

17V516000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems