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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

Service Brakes complaints

118 reports
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64,000 miles · Sep 8, 2020
EngineService Brakes

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 FI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11353812

54,000 miles · Jul 27, 2020
Service Brakes

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)8…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11341616

105,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Service Brakes

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 SLO…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11341147

4,000 miles · May 15, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringCrash

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 REDUCI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11324727

800 miles · May 2, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11323025

77,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
EngineService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT AN ERROR SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND MY ENGINE CUT OUT, AND THEN RIGHT AFTER, I GOT AN ERROR SAYING BRAKE ASSIST ON, AND MY BRAKES FELT LIKE A BRICK WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THEM. I MADE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE HWY, AND PUSHED MY BRAKES REALLY HARD AND THEN PUT THE PARKING BRAKE …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT AN ERROR SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND MY ENGINE CUT OUT, AND THEN RIGHT AFTER, I GOT AN ERROR SAYING BRAKE ASSIST ON, AND MY BRAKES FELT LIKE A BRICK WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THEM. I MADE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE HWY, AND PUSHED MY BRAKES REALLY HARD AND THEN PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH EQUINOXS WITH MY ENGINE TYPE, WHERE THE VACUUM PUMP GOES OUT, AND THEN THE GEAR RUNNING IT BRAKES, AND THEN THE METAL FROM THAT GEAR GOT SUCKED UP INTO MY ENGINE. THAT VACUUM PUMP CONNECTS TO BOTH MY BRAKES AND MY ENGINE, WHICH IS WHY I LOST BOTH AT THE SAME TIME WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR ANY INDICATION ANYTHING COULD BE WRONG BEFORE IT HAPPENED. MY ENGINE IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOWN WITH NO WARNING. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY PART, AND THEY ASSURED ME IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING, SOME OF THE VACUUM PUMPS THEY USED ARE JUST BAD. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. I LOST MY BRAKES AND MY ENGINE GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A BRIDGE. I WAS JUST LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND STOP WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #11302206

32,000 miles · Dec 31, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

JUST FINSHED MY SECOND YEAR INTO MY 3 YEAR 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX LEASE AND FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST HAS APPEARED AND DISSAPEARED DOZENS OF TIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS. ORGINALLY MAD AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE DEA…

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JUST FINSHED MY SECOND YEAR INTO MY 3 YEAR 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX LEASE AND FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST HAS APPEARED AND DISSAPEARED DOZENS OF TIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS. ORGINALLY MAD AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE DEALER SHIP CANCLLED IT AND THEN MY CAR SUDDENLY HAD REDUCED POWER THE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. NOT A HIGHWAY. GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE SAY A VACUM PUMP SEIZED? NOW ARE SAYING THERE IS METAL IN THE ENGINE AMD THEY DONT KNOW WHY. TRYING TO GET ME TO PAY FOR COST. HAVE TAKEN CAR OF VEHCHILE AND DONE THE REQUIRED MATINENCE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ON 32000 MILES. VERY CONCERNED THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTED WITH THE CAR. AS NUMEROUS VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES TO MINE BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #11292216

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2019
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE ARMS AND HANDS, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE ARMS AND HANDS, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THIRTY DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MATTHEWS-HARGREAVES CHEVROLET (2000 TWELVE MILE RD, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067, (866) 275-2746), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *LN ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB*JB

NHTSA ODI #11276931

38,500 miles · Oct 22, 2019
Service Brakes

ROUGHLY 38K MILES ON VEHICLE, WENT ON A ROAD TRIP AND ABOUT 80 MILES INTO THE TRIP, WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND BREAKS WENT OUT, THE MASTER CYLINDER. IT WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BREAKS TAKING ALL MY EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11270329

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2019
Power TrainService Brakes

BRAKES GRABS,MAKES LOUD SCRUBBING NOISE WHEN APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN,STOP,OR TURN.SOUND LIKE RIGHT FRONT END RODS GOING TO BREAK, AND FEELS LIKE BRAKES SLIPPING, AND NOT WANTING TO STOP AT TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11259023

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