This bulletin offers Information on Possible Crank No Start or Extended Crank with DTC P12A6 or Service Safety Restraints message on DIC, with B0073.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Chevrolet Equinox airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 19,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Equinox | 27 |
| 2015 Equinox | 35 |
| 2016 Equinox | 12 |
| 2017 Equinox | 18 |
| 2018 Equinox (this page) | 13 |
| 2019 Equinox | 9 |
| 2020 Equinox | 6 |
| 2021 Equinox | 3 |
8crashes
1fire
11injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin offers Information on Possible Crank No Start or Extended Crank with DTC P12A6 or Service Safety Restraints message on DIC, with B0073.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communicates to the technician that some customers may comment on the operation of their haptic seat during a Lane Keep Assist event. Lane Keep Assist works differently than Lane Departure Warning. The Lane Keep Assist icon is solid amber, Forward Camera Module is actively commanding a torque to Electronic Power Steering. This means that the driver should also feel some feedback from the steering wheel. No Chimes or haptic in the seat. Lane Keep Assist icon is flashing amber; Forward Camera Module is actively commanding torque to Electronic Power Steering. This will also be accompanied with Lane Departure Warning chimes and haptic in the seat feedback based on th
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Equinox airbag complaints break into three distinct patterns. First, owners repeatedly see the SRS warning light come on with no fault code—dealerships run diagnostics and find nothing, yet the light returns. One owner mentioned seatbelt-triggered warnings; another cited airbag sensor replacement estimates around $1,000 with no actual repair performed. Chevrolet issued case numbers but did not recall or offer fixes.
Second, multiple owners were in collisions where airbags should have deployed but didn't. A side-impact at 50 mph, a 35 mph side-impact, and rear-end collisions all produced nothing from the airbag system despite occupants suffering neck pain, concussions, broken bones, and chest contusions. Independent mechanics found "no system malfunction," leaving owners and dealers stuck.
Third, a few owners reported the opposite: all airbags deploying during a low-speed parking-lot fender-bender, smoke pouring from side airbags during a real collision without full deployment, and one case where a passenger-side airbag caught fire. One owner tied his complaint to a Takata recall but also reported brake-system issues.
No repairs were completed in any of these narratives.
Same Chevrolet Equinox airbags reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illuminated (intermittent)
SRS light comes on intermittently with no crash or fault code retrievable during diagnosis. Light sometimes disappears after a few hours or when sitting overnight, then reappears. May be triggered by passenger seatbelt activity.
When: As early as 3,050 miles; also reported at 10,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light remains illuminated while driving; Light disappears and reappears without pattern; Light triggers when front passenger buckles seatbelt and clears when unbuckled; SRS light with body-holding-ball symbol on digital cluster
Codes mentioned: R/FRT & L/RT AIRBAG SENSOR
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic testing ranges $180–$1,000; no repairs completed in narratives despite multiple dealership visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet provided case numbers but no recall issued; manufacturer stated vehicle was safe to drive despite warning light
Airbags fail to deploy in collision
During side-impact and rear-end collisions, airbags did not deploy when expected. Independent mechanic diagnostics showed 'no system malfunction' despite impact severity.
When: At 9,500 miles (side impact); 19,000 miles (side impact); later mileages (rear-end collisions)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy in side-impact crash at 35 mph; Airbags fail to deploy in side-impact crash at 50 mph; Airbags fail to deploy in multiple rear-end collisions; Occupants sustained injuries (neck pain, concussion, broken elbow, chest contusions) that would typically trigger airbag protection
Codes mentioned: No system malfunction detected
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to independent mechanics; no repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases and scheduled appointments with independent mechanics; no TSB or recall noted
Airbags deploy without collision or deploy partially
Airbags deploy during normal driving conditions with no collision, or deploy in unusual patterns (smoking but not fully deploying, or only partial deployment in collision). One vehicle experienced all airbags deploying during low-speed impact with minimal structural damage.
When: June 2023 (parked, low-speed impact); during normal operation; during collisions
Symptoms owners cite: All airbags deployed when vehicle lurched forward at low speed in parking lot (2 feet from wall impact); Airbags smoke but do not fully deploy during rear-end collision; Passenger seat airbag caught fire due to malfunction; Smoke emanated from side airbags during impact without full deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled by insurance (hood and side panels damaged); passenger seat caught fire requiring fire department response (assumed)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM examined vehicle and reported no defect found; contact claimed report was unintelligible
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 9,500 and 21,500 miles, with the median around 19,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,500; a quarter make it past 21,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.