2018 Chevrolet Equinox

I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with a 1.5L engine. While driving with my children in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden and frightening failure. The engine began malfunctioning, and after inspection, my mechanic and the repair shop confirmed damage to the vacuum pump, broken engine pieces, and issues with the timing chain and camshaft. These issues are identical to those described in an existing recall for this vehicle, but my VIN is not included. The shop even questioned why my mechanic had to replace the vacuum pump, which shows this failure is directly related to the known recall problem. This situation created a very unsafe condition while my kids were in the car. It is unfair and dangerous that my VIN is excluded when the exact same recall defects are present. I am requesting that my vehicle be included in the recall and that NHTSA investigate this defect further, as it poses a serious safety risk for me, my family, and potentially other drivers.

1st Incident: Code P2138 - Accelerator Pedal Sensor In March of 2024 - driving on highway dashboard warning lights illuminated(traction control & reduced engine power) vehicle went into limp mode putting my family & I in danger due to traffic volume and speed on highway. Had to drive on berm at speeds below 25mph to exit freeway safely. Removed battery cable to reset computer. Taken to Serra Bartlett Chevrolet in Memphis- couldn't get vehicle to repeat error. 2nd Incident: Code - P2138 June 2024 - while traveling on highway same dashboard warning signals & car went into limp mode. Had to maneuver to the berm to exit the highway safely once again putting my family in danger at speeds below 25 mph exit. Vehicle was towed to Serpentini Chevrolet the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor was replaced under the extended warranty. 3rd Incident - Code P2138 June 2025- while traveling on highway, same dashboard warning signals & car went into limp mode again. Had to maneuver to the berm to exit the highway putting my family in danger again at speeds below 25mph. Removed the battery cable to reset computer - was unsuccessful. Contacted Jeff Schmitt Chevrolet - had to drive the vehicle over 35 miles on the berm of the highway at speeds lower than 25 mph to get to dealership. Upon arriving they ran the codes and annotated the P2138 code. The next morning when the Technician checked the vehicle the computer had reset itself and everything was checking out fine, the code was still in the vehicle history . The sensor was under warranty and we inquired about replacement because the code showed failure, the dealership stated GM would not replace the part because it tested good. But I could pay to have it replaced if I paid for it. GM Service Bulletin No:074-06-04-019F clearly states they are aware of issues with this vehicle, yet I cannot get it repaired to my satisfaction It puts myself and my family under extreme danger while driving this vehicle on the freeway.

The speedometer does not operate. The gas gauge does not operate. The odometer does not operate and is not tracking miles driven. The blinkers work but no blinker sound occurs. Head lights must be turned on and off manually. The radio must be turned off manually. I ran out of gas on the freeway and Highway Patrol had to close the freeway to remove me safely under quite dangerous conditions. There is no way to monitor my speed. The milage is not being reported to reflect the miles put on the engine.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER (JOE FIRMENT CHEVROLET INC.,37995 CHESTER RD, AVON, OH 44011) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE STATE HIGHWAY, THE CARE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN IN SPEED CLOSE TO 30 MPH WHICH WAS A HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT TIME OF DAY. I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO INCREASE SPEED, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I FEARED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND SO I SAFELY COASTED TO THE OFF RAMP, THEN IT JERKED, AS IF RE-STARTING THE ENGINE. I FEARED FOR MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY CHILD.

I HAVE KEYLESS START ON MY 2018 EQUINOX. PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AT 5PM ONTO MAJOR ATLANTA STREET AND CAR SHUT OFF. RESTARTED IT AND IT SHUT OFF AS SOON AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. REPEATED THIS FOUR TIMES UNTIL I REALIZED THAT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WAS CAUSING IT TO POWER DOWN. RESTARTED IT AGAIN, LEFT IT IN DRIVE, AND COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED IT. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE'S BEEN TOWING A LOT OF NEWER EQUINOXES BECAUSE THEY LOSE POWER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. THERE'S NO RECALL, BUT ANOTHER WEBSITE SAID THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED JEFF PERRY BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 1421 37TH ST, PERU, IL 61354, (815) 410-4168) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. GOES UP TO 5000+RPMS AND WILL ONLY GO ABOUT 25 MPH. THEN IT WILL RANDOMLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT YOU HAVING ANY CONTROL OF THE SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GEAR INDICATOR D FLASHED. DEALERSHIP CLEARED THE CODE AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ACTIONS. WE DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 30 MILES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WE VIDEOED WHAT HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE AGAIN BUT STILL ARE WORKING ON IT. THEY HAVE CALLED CHEVY IN TEXAS AND THERE MAY BE AN ONGOING TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. GM TECH ASSIST SITED SIMILAR ISSUES HAVING DEBRIS IN TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. DEBRIS WILL CLEAR AND GET TRAPPED IN FILTER AS DESIGNED. THIS OCCURRED DRIVING ON A COMBINATION OF HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS,AND COUNTRY ROADS. VEHICLE HAS 5100 MILES TO DATE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONSTANTLY APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOSELTON CHEVROLET (909 FAIRPORT RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 14445, 585-662-2800) MORE THAN TWICE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT A TECHNICIAN WOULD BE SENT FOR FURTHER TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW- UP RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 11/28/18*JB