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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

Steering complaints

15 reports
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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

10,000 miles · Jan 26, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS ALMOST IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON OCT 7, 2019. I WAS TRAVELLING ON STATE HIGHWAYS FROM AUBURN, PA TO HERSHEY, PA AT APPRX 930AM. ROADS WERE DAMP/WET BUT RAIN HAD STOPPED. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I HAD ALWAYS ENGAGED ALL SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDING LANE KEEP ASSIST (LKA), COLLISION ALERTS, ETC. THIS WAS MAIN REASON I UPG…

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I WAS ALMOST IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON OCT 7, 2019. I WAS TRAVELLING ON STATE HIGHWAYS FROM AUBURN, PA TO HERSHEY, PA AT APPRX 930AM. ROADS WERE DAMP/WET BUT RAIN HAD STOPPED. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I HAD ALWAYS ENGAGED ALL SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDING LANE KEEP ASSIST (LKA), COLLISION ALERTS, ETC. THIS WAS MAIN REASON I UPGRADED FROM MY 2014 EQUINOX. ON RT 183, HEADING UP A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES, DESPITE DRIVING WELL UNDER SPEED LIMIT. **NOTE: MY BF AND I HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED TO DEALER, AND EVEN HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE, BC WE BOTH FELT CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN. WE ARE BOTH EXTREMELY SAFE, EXPERIENCED, NON-DISTRACTED DRIVERS AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS QUITE ODD/OFF. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. CLOSER TO HERSHEY, I WAS COMING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD ON I BELIEVE RT 743 WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR PULLED ME SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST OVER AN EMBANKMENT, WHICH WOULD HAVE LED TO A ROLLOVER CRASH AND POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, AND GREAT DRIVING, I JUST MISSED A STONE WALL, AND MY ?1/4 MILE SWERVING SKID BACK AND FORTH PING-PONGED ME ALL OVER THE ROADWAY, BARELY AVOIDING MAILBOXES, FENCES, AND A HOUSE. LUCKILY ONCOMING TRAFFIC DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL I STRAIGHTENED OUT OF MY SKID. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SAID "MY CAR JUST TRIED TO KILL ME." AFTER RESEARCH, THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID TO TURN OFF THE LKA. I HAVE, AND CAR NO LONGER PULLS TO THE RIGHT, EVER. I READ THE MANUAL, AND BURIED AROUND PAGE 254 IS A SMALL BLACK BOX WARNING THAT SAYS TO DISENGAGE LKA ON WET, CURVING ROADS OR COLLISIONS MAY OCCUR. REALLY???? PEOPLE CAN DIE, AND THE WARNING IS BURIED ON PAGE 254??? I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER NEWER CAR OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES IN OTHER CARS/BRANDS. I THINK THESE "SAFETY FEATURES" ARE A DOUBLE EDGE SWORD AND NEED FURTHER RESEARCH. I ALMOST DIED.

NHTSA ODI #11302110

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2019
Steering

KINHOOK TIRES. THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH THESE TIRES, EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE THE CAR AFTER IT HAS SAT OVERNIGHT IT BUMPS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER MILE. THS IS A PREMIERE VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM BUT WAS TOLD THEY MET GM MOTRS SPECS.

NHTSA ODI #11171975

12,899 miles · Jan 4, 2019
Lane DepartureSteering

WHILE DRIVING, WHEN TRYING TO CENTER THE CAR IN THE LANE I AM DRIVING IN, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS. IT IS FOR JUST A SPILT SECOND BUT NONETHELESS, IT IS STICKING. ALSO, THE CAR DETECTION LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR (CAR IN YOUR BLIND SPOT) STAYS ON. ALSO GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM" DEALER…

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WHILE DRIVING, WHEN TRYING TO CENTER THE CAR IN THE LANE I AM DRIVING IN, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS. IT IS FOR JUST A SPILT SECOND BUT NONETHELESS, IT IS STICKING. ALSO, THE CAR DETECTION LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR (CAR IN YOUR BLIND SPOT) STAYS ON. ALSO GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM" DEALER SAYS NO ERROR SHOWS UP FOR THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11165295

750 miles · Jun 29, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUES AND PUT 20…

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WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUES AND PUT 200+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE THE WARNINGS DID NOT COME BACK ON SO A FEW DAYS LATER THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND TO BE PICKED UP. WHILE DRIVING A WEEK LATER WITH THE KIDS IN THE VEHICLE THE CAR STARTED PULLING AND THE WARNINGS LIGHTS AND SCREEN WARNINGS SHOWED UP AGAIN AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN BACK IN AND THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE. THEY ESCALATED THE ISSUES TO GM, THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE IS WHAT WAS TOLD AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE A ETA ON HOW SOON THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO GET THE PARTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ASSEMBLE LINE AND IT WAS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL. THE TECH FOUND THAT THE "ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR AND ELECTRICAL MODULE" PRONGS WERE BENT AND BEING A BRAND NEW OF THE LINE VEHICLE THEY FOUND THE PRONGS WERE BENT AND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING GEAR AND ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. GM WANTED THE PART BACK AND SINCE HAVE BEEN IN A RENTAL. WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND IT WAS A HAZARD THE SERVICE DEPT. REPRESENTATIVE WAS DEFENSIVE AND UNPROFESSIONAL AS WELL AS DEFENSIVE WHEN STATED THIS IS AN ISSUE OF SAFETY AND HAZARDOUS. ONCE THE CONCERN WAS BROUGHT UP THAT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE AND WE WANTED ANSWERS OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE KIDS WHILE DRIVING BEING UNCOMFORTABLE EVEN IF FIXED, HE HUNG UP. MY SPOUSE WENT IN TO TALK WITH THE MANGER AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE ANY INFO BUT TO CALL GM AND TAKE IT UP WITH THEM AND THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT ESCALATE THE ISSUE TO GM MANUFACTURER AND GAVE THE NUMBER TO MY SPOUSE AND CLOSED THE DOOR ON HIM.

NHTSA ODI #11002082

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