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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
4,000 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FUEL LINE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND FROM THE VEHICLE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. GENERAL MOTORS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FUEL LINE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND FROM THE VEHICLE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. GENERAL MOTORS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.

NHTSA ODI #11130696

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2018
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11130414

1,000 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ROADSIDE SERVICE CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (BOB STEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ROADSIDE SERVICE CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (BOB STEELE CHEVROLET, 2800 FLORIDA 520, COCOA, FL 32926, (321) 355-3489) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #11129936

675 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Engine

AT CERTAIN TIMES THERE IS A SLIGHT SURGE. IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A STOPPED MODE. WHEN THE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE, BUT BEFORE THE ACCELATOR PEDAL IS TOUCHED, THERE IS A SLIGHT SURGE WHICH IS NOT NORMAL OR SAFE. OCCASIONALLY, IT ALSO OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE HIGHEST GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11129924

13,500 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Engine

VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND INSTANTLY STARTED AGAIN SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A DRIVE THROUGH AT A RESTAURANT.

NHTSA ODI #11129255

900 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

2018 EQUINOX PREMIER SUNROOF GAVE OUT ON ME 5 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW. GM HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAS NOT FOUND A FIX. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OR MOTION. THE SUNROOF AND THE PRIVACY SCREEN WILL STOP OPENING/CLOSING. THEY HAVE REPLACED ALL THE WIRES AND THE ENTIRE SUNROOF AND NEW MOTORS AND …

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2018 EQUINOX PREMIER SUNROOF GAVE OUT ON ME 5 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW. GM HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAS NOT FOUND A FIX. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OR MOTION. THE SUNROOF AND THE PRIVACY SCREEN WILL STOP OPENING/CLOSING. THEY HAVE REPLACED ALL THE WIRES AND THE ENTIRE SUNROOF AND NEW MOTORS AND IT STILL DOESNT WORK. GM CUSTOMER CARE IS NOT WORKING WITH ME AND SAYS THAT BASICALLY THEY WON'T HAVE A TIME WHEN I WILL GET MY CAR BACK. THEY AREN'T HELPING ME WITH A TRADE IN EITHER. THE DEALERSHIP IS HELPING ME (BRAVO AT LAS CRUCES NM). BUT GM THEMSELVES AREN'T TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT SOLELY IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE HEARD OF ATLEAST 8 OTHER CASES ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SOME WERE FIXED WITH A COMPUTER REBOOT BUT MINE CANNOT GET FIXED WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA ODI #11121035

2,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OPERATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD BE A CHEMICAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVALLARO-NEUBAUER CHEVROLET (3740 NY-104, WILLIAMSON, NY 14589, (315) 791-4206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OPERATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD BE A CHEMICAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVALLARO-NEUBAUER CHEVROLET (3740 NY-104, WILLIAMSON, NY 14589, (315) 791-4206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING ELEMENT WAS BEING BURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE SPOKE WITHA SUPERVISOR AT GM SHELIA AUG 29TH, 2018 1-866-790-5600 EXT 5921743. AFTER SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME THE WEEK BEFORE, SAID SHE HAS SO MANY THINGS TO LOOK AT, THAT'S WHY SHE TOOK SO LONG GETTING BACK TO CONSUMER. ALSO, SAID SHE WOULD TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR SURE AND GET BACK TO CONSUMER ON AUG 31ST,2018, NEVER CALLED. ALSO TALKED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO RIDE IT OUT THROUGH THE WINTER, IT WILL BE DEALT WITH NEXT SUMMER. AT THIS POINT NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. STILL SMELLS BAD UPDATED 10/15/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11118779

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2018
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT A SHORTER PERSON MUST WEAR THE BELT ACROSS THEIR NECK WHEN BUCKLED IN. THE ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE AND LOWER THE SEATBELT FROM THE WALL OF THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE SHORTER DRIVER (INCLUDING STUDENT DRIVERS). IF AN INCID…

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THE SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT A SHORTER PERSON MUST WEAR THE BELT ACROSS THEIR NECK WHEN BUCKLED IN. THE ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE AND LOWER THE SEATBELT FROM THE WALL OF THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE SHORTER DRIVER (INCLUDING STUDENT DRIVERS). IF AN INCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR THAT REQUIRED THE SEATBELT, I BELIEVE ADDITIONAL INJURY COULD RESULT TO THE NECK AND POSSIBLY SEVERE THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T OCCUR WITH PROPERLY FIT SEATBELTS.

NHTSA ODI #11112738

9,663 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Engine

LESS THEN 10,000 MILES IN THE CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. THERE HAD NOT BEEN AN ISSUE WITH IT AT ALL UNTIL TODAY WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AFTER WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11111805

11,000 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE "REDUCE POWER" WARNING MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AS THE SPEED DECREASED TO 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVE HALL INC. CHEVROLET BUICK (2589 S. VAN DYKE RD, MARLETTE, MI) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE "REDUCE POWER" WARNING MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AS THE SPEED DECREASED TO 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVE HALL INC. CHEVROLET BUICK (2589 S. VAN DYKE RD, MARLETTE, MI) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF EITHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #11111529

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