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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

What owners actually said

407 reports
90,000 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Visibility/wiper

THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11386353

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

20,200 miles · Dec 5, 2020
Visibility/wiper

SAT 12/05/2020, 0745 HRS. WEATHER: SNOW/SLUSH LOCATION ROUTE1 S/B NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA PROBLEM: WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING : WHILE DRIVING TO MERGE ONTO I-295 S, WIPER STOPPED WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, I QUICKLY MADE EMERGENCY STOP RESULTED IN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE GOT BLOWN DUE TO HITTING THE CURB SIDEWAY, TH…

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SAT 12/05/2020, 0745 HRS. WEATHER: SNOW/SLUSH LOCATION ROUTE1 S/B NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA PROBLEM: WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING : WHILE DRIVING TO MERGE ONTO I-295 S, WIPER STOPPED WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, I QUICKLY MADE EMERGENCY STOP RESULTED IN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE GOT BLOWN DUE TO HITTING THE CURB SIDEWAY, THANK GOD I WAS GOING BELOW SPEED LIMIT OR OTHERWISE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED TILL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS GOT THERE AND TOWED MY VEHICLE, I CONSIDER THAT SAFETY ISSUE AND I THANK GOD AND RESPONDERS FOR THEIR HELP I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND I FOUND RECALL FOR OLDER MODELS BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR OR VIN!

NHTSA ODI #11378038

28,000 miles · Nov 30, 2020
Parking Brake

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKE SEIZED IN THE ACTIVATED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BERGER CHEVROLET (2525 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 4951…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKE SEIZED IN THE ACTIVATED POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BERGER CHEVROLET (2525 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512; (616) 949-5200), WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE HOLLAND CHEVROLET (210 MACCORKLE AVE SW, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25303; (304) 744-1561) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #11377191

70,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical System

THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS RANDOMLY GIVE OFF SERVICE SIGNAL FOR THE STABILITRAK, HILL START ASSIST, AND BRAKE ASSIST. THIS CAUSES MY DOORS TO UNLOCK AND LOCK WHILE HE CAR IS IN MOTION AND GIVES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED VIA REMOTE OR C…

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THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS RANDOMLY GIVE OFF SERVICE SIGNAL FOR THE STABILITRAK, HILL START ASSIST, AND BRAKE ASSIST. THIS CAUSES MY DOORS TO UNLOCK AND LOCK WHILE HE CAR IS IN MOTION AND GIVES SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED VIA REMOTE OR CHEVROLET APP BUT RECENTLY, IT IS HAPPENING DAILY WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES TO AUTO STOP AND CONTINUES AS THE VEHICLE RESTARTS FOR DRIVING ON CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ODI #11372960

41,000 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Electrical System

DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/17/2020. CHECK BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S ALERT MESSAGE INDICATED THE CAR WAS IN 'BATTERY SAVING MODE'. NO PREVIOUS INDICATORS HAD APPEARED TO INFORM THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY ISSUE. A SHORT WHILE LATER, ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE DRIVER WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THE ALTERNATOR IN THE VEHICLE…

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DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/17/2020. CHECK BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S ALERT MESSAGE INDICATED THE CAR WAS IN 'BATTERY SAVING MODE'. NO PREVIOUS INDICATORS HAD APPEARED TO INFORM THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY ISSUE. A SHORT WHILE LATER, ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE DRIVER WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THE ALTERNATOR IN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ENOUGH VEHICLES WITH THIS ALTERNATOR MODEL THAT ALL PARTS STORES IN DULUTH, MN AND SUPERIOR, WI WERE OUT OF PARTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS ALSO BEEN OUT OF STOCK WITH THIS ALTERNATOR, INDICATING THAT THERE IS A FLAW WITH THIS PART. WITH SUCH LITTLE (AND INACCURATE) WARNING, THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN.

NHTSA ODI #11365854

21,500 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Electrical System

BACKUP CAMERA FREEZES INTERMITTENTLY ON START UP

NHTSA ODI #11363326

65,000 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Air BagsCrashFire

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NO OTHER PASSENGERS BESIDES DRIVER OF VEHICLE WAS IN CAR. THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #11363156

75,000 miles · Oct 3, 2020
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT, I ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN AND COULD NOT WITHOUT UTILIZING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I ENDED UP TAKING MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO GET A NEW VACUUM PUMP AND PRESSURE SENSOR. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED UP THE ISSUE AND SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS I…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT, I ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN AND COULD NOT WITHOUT UTILIZING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I ENDED UP TAKING MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO GET A NEW VACUUM PUMP AND PRESSURE SENSOR. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED UP THE ISSUE AND SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE MY VEHICLE BACK, BUT THIS TYPE OF ISSUE SHOULD NOT RELY ON A CONSUMER. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENT, AS I ALSO HAD MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11362523

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