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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
4,500 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

ON TWO OCCASIONS MY TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T ENGAGE WHEN I SHIFTED IT FROM "PARK" TO "DRIVE." MY CAR STARTED ROLLING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND AFTER ABOUT 3 - 5 SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11232777

6,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

USING NAVIGATION WITH PHONE THROUGH INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY CAN SWITCH TO BLINDING BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. USING PHONE NAVIGATION (BOTH GOOGLE MAPS AND WAZE) AT NIGHT WILL START WITH NORMAL BRIGHTNESS WHICH CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE DIMMING KNOB. IF A PHONE CALL OR TEXT IS RECEIVED THE DISPLAY GOES TO FULL BRIGHTNESS AND CANNOT BE …

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USING NAVIGATION WITH PHONE THROUGH INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY CAN SWITCH TO BLINDING BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. USING PHONE NAVIGATION (BOTH GOOGLE MAPS AND WAZE) AT NIGHT WILL START WITH NORMAL BRIGHTNESS WHICH CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE DIMMING KNOB. IF A PHONE CALL OR TEXT IS RECEIVED THE DISPLAY GOES TO FULL BRIGHTNESS AND CANNOT BE DIMMED THIS CAUSED ME TO SWERVE OFF OF THE ROAD IT WAS SO BLINDING THE CONDITION CAN ALSO BE SIMULATED BY ENGAGING THE BACKUP CAMERA AT NIGHT THIS WAS REPORTED TO MY DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO IN THE CASE OF THE PHONE CALL THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON MULTIPLE FORUMS SO I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE SOFTWARE AND NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11230836

21,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #11210622

9,500 miles · May 24, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THERE ARE 2 PROBLEMS WHICH ARE INTERRELATED 1) WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REPOND WHEN THE GAS IS APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN. THEN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHES INTO GEAR. 2) THE "D" FOR DRIVE ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHES INDICATING AN ERROR CODE HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO THE TRANSMISSION…

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THERE ARE 2 PROBLEMS WHICH ARE INTERRELATED 1) WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REPOND WHEN THE GAS IS APPLIED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN. THEN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHES INTO GEAR. 2) THE "D" FOR DRIVE ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHES INDICATING AN ERROR CODE HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THIS WAS HAPPENING THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE ON THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SO THEY DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO DIAGNOIS WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WERE ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THAT MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE MANUFACTURER FELT THIS MAY BE DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND MAY NEED TO COMPLETE A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT SOME FUTURE POINT IN TIME. HOWEVER, I'VE SEEN POSTS FROM OTHER CHEVY EQUINOX OWNERS WITH MODELS DATING BACK TO 2014 WITH THIS SAME HESITANCY AND JERKING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11209682

62,000 miles · May 6, 2019
Service Brakes

I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I GET A WARNING SAYING SERVICE BRAKES. I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND I HAD NONE AT ALL! I ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING OFF THE RAMP AND HIT ITS BRAKES. I HAD TO GO OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING IT. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WENT OUT. I KNOW THAT GM …

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I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I GET A WARNING SAYING SERVICE BRAKES. I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND I HAD NONE AT ALL! I ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING OFF THE RAMP AND HIT ITS BRAKES. I HAD TO GO OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING IT. I FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WENT OUT. I KNOW THAT GM IS DOING A INVESTIGATION ON THIS. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP GETTING REPAIRED. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. I HAD NO WARNING AT ALL THAT MY BRAKES WAS NOT GOING TO WORK. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED WITHOUT BEING IN A ACCIDENT. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11205740

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2019
Wheels

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRES , AT FIRST I HAD A SCREW IN THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE . THE DEALERSHIP DID FIX THAT, THEN I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE SAME TIRE KEPT LOOSING AIR THEN IT WAS THE VALVE STEM, NOW THE TIRE ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE IS SHOWING THAT IT IS LOW AND I HAVE HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHI…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRES , AT FIRST I HAD A SCREW IN THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE . THE DEALERSHIP DID FIX THAT, THEN I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE SAME TIRE KEPT LOOSING AIR THEN IT WAS THE VALVE STEM, NOW THE TIRE ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE IS SHOWING THAT IT IS LOW AND I HAVE HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE GIVING ME GRIEF ABOUT THESE [XXX] TIRES ! I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE SENSORS OR IF THEY JUST NEED TO GO ON AND REPLACE THESE TIRES SINCE I AM ON THE NEW TIRES FOR LIFE PROGRAM BUT EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP I END UP WITH ATTITUDE FROM THEM AND A MIGRAINE FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH SOME SMART [XXX] THAT IS TELLING ME THAT I CAN'T GET A NEW TIRE UNTIL THEY DETERMINE THAT I CAN OR IF IT IS A SENSOR ISSUE I'M GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR IT! NO SIR !!! THIS VEHICLE IS BRAND [XXX] NEW !!! I WILL GET A LAWYER AND I WILL SEE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WHOMEVER IN COURT AND Y'ALL CAN BUY THIS CRAP CAR BACK! EITHER FIX THIS ISSUE OR WE CAN DO THIS ANOTHER WAY 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).

NHTSA ODI #11204033

17,500 miles · Apr 22, 2019
VisibilityInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHADE CLIP FRACTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RANDY MARION CHEVROLET BUICK CADILLAC (220 W PLAZA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHADE CLIP FRACTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RANDY MARION CHEVROLET BUICK CADILLAC (220 W PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC, (866) 906-8109) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHADE CLIPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,500.

NHTSA ODI #11202901

15,400 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESTART AND THE AUTO STOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOCOUREK CHEVROLET (1500 MORNING GLORY LN, WAUSAU,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESTART AND THE AUTO STOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOCOUREK CHEVROLET (1500 MORNING GLORY LN, WAUSAU, WI 54401, (715) 359-7200) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,400.

NHTSA ODI #11202820

16,482 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Wheels

2018 EQUINOX ALL WHEEL DRIVE TIRES, MICHELIN PREMIER LTX M&S, SIZE, 225/60R18 100H TPC BSW. ALL 4 TIRES ARE DOWN TO 1/32" TREAD DEPTH AT 16482 MILES. VEHICLE SERVICED 3 TIMES BY CHEVROLET DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRES ROTATED TWICE. TIRES KEPT AT RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE OF 35 PSI. TIRE RATED BY MANUFACTURER FOR 60,000 MILES.…

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2018 EQUINOX ALL WHEEL DRIVE TIRES, MICHELIN PREMIER LTX M&S, SIZE, 225/60R18 100H TPC BSW. ALL 4 TIRES ARE DOWN TO 1/32" TREAD DEPTH AT 16482 MILES. VEHICLE SERVICED 3 TIMES BY CHEVROLET DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRES ROTATED TWICE. TIRES KEPT AT RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE OF 35 PSI. TIRE RATED BY MANUFACTURER FOR 60,000 MILES. TIRES EVENLY WORN ACROSS TREAD SURFACES. CHEVROLET DECLINED WARRANTY CLAIM STATING TIRE WEAR IS A TIRE MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE. DEALER CONTACTED MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE WHO STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SAME TIRE WITH EITHER A 16" OR 17" RIM SIZE BUT NOT 18". DEALER RELAYED THAT MICHELIN WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES WITH SAME IDENTICAL MODEL HOWEVER I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF TIRE RETAIL COST AS WELL AS ALL TAXES, MOUNTING AND BALANCING TOTALING OVER $300.00. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT AS I AM SURE THAT THE 18" TIRES WILL ALSO EVENTUALLY BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11202816

39,910 miles · Apr 12, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON TOOK IT TO THE DEAL THEY POKED THE GAS TANK FLAP AND RESET THE LIGHT SENSOR AND FOR NOW IT'S OFF. THE RADIO MEDIA SCREEN KEEP FREEZING ON BACK UP CAMERA.

NHTSA ODI #11195880

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