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ProblemsByVin Index / 2018-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2018 Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints

386 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

powertrain 6 complaints shown

60 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/31/2020 49,500 mi ODI #11385951.0

The car started going into auto stop and would not go forward one the brake was released on the highway or at stop signs. This caused us to almost have a wreck because the car wouldn't go when it needed to when pulling out onto a road when it was clear to go. It created a time lag that could cause an accident.we also almost rolled into the car behind us while stoped at an intersection on a hill that entered a highway. We took the car to the dealership. The first time they charged us for diagnostic and only cleared the code. The check engine light came on immediately when we picked it up. Then they changed a sensor, and we had to bring it back. Then they rebuilt the transmission. We have to bring it back the same day. Then they replaced the torque converter. We just picked it up today.

12/31/2019 32,000 mi ODI #11292216.0

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

12/16/2020 51,000 mi ODI #11383853.0

My wife and I noticed this past week that our 2018 Chevy equinox will accelerate all on its own without driver input. We feel this increase in speed without input is dangerous. We have an appointment at the dealer in anchorage, alaska that sold us the vehicle.

12/15/2017 ODI #11054895.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet equinox. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v516000 (power train). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact received the recall notice over four months ago. The dealer (rex Chevrolet GMC, 805 s des moines st, odebolt, ia 51458 (712) 668-2296) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

12/13/2022 ODI #11497355.0

I purchased my 2018 Chevrolet equinox on July3rd, 2018 with 2 miles on it. Current mileage 67,900 Stop/start system design defect. I have had to have my vehicle battery replaced 4 times in 4 years of ownership. The battery has failed again at 67,900 miles on 12/13/2022 which will be the 5th battery in its lifetime. My dealership said that due to the climate and road conditions where I live my stop/start system has been killing my battery cell every 16,975 miles causing my battery to fail. Chevrolet originally extended my warranty for 6months/ or 60k miles. They said they can no longer extend my warranty and that I’d be responsible for the next battery and future battery’s.

12/11/2019 43,000 mi ODI #11288441.0

Vehicle suddenly powered down while on the expressway in morning traffic, causing the vehicle to shake and slow to an unsafe speed. I eased off the expressway to get out of the way of big trucks, etc., and was scared to turn off the exit for fear that it would stall again and I would be hit by oncoming traffic. This is the 3rd time this has happened, each time they replace something else. You need to force Chevrolet to make a recall on these unsafe vehicles!

other 5 complaints shown

12/31/2022 ODI #11499645.0

I constantly get error messages When the ambient (outside) temperature exceeds 100 degrees. The lane keeping assist, the forward collision sensors, etc. When it gets below freezing, the forward collision sensors, the brake assist and the service indicators go bonkers.

12/30/2017 4,800 mi ODI #11057692.0

I have a 2018 equinox with 4800 miles on it and the transmission went out on the vehicle. I was driving the vehicle the engine service light came on the engine s RPM excelerated and then the vehicle stopped excelerating and started coasting. I coasted into a business and tried to go forward and backward and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the nearby chev dealer who conducted some tests and it was determined the transmission was out and I would take about 10 days tp get another one. We were driving from illinois to florida and the vehicle broke down in tennessee.

12/24/2018 Crash ODI #11163296.0

I was driving to work on,a two laned highway and suddenly I just hear an explpsion. The sound of what I found was a head on collision my car went into omcoming traffic. The engine and transmission were not in the vehicle at the scene of the accident. I broke my pelvis amd the seat belt cut me open. I lost consciousness and have a slight brain injury. I was traveling at 55 MPH. Right before the explpsion sound my car veared to the right and I heard the road safety bumps. I corrected myself as I always would and next thing I know im in a severe head on collision lucky to be alive. Transmissioms and engines dont just fly out during an accident except at very high speeds... I believe the car was defective as I did not drive in front of another vehicle head on.

12/23/2017 ODI #11056171.0

After filling fuel gauge reads 3/4 full. Can never be sure how much gas is in the car. The dealer says this problem affects all 2018 Chevrolet equinox's and gm terrains and there is no fix.

12/11/2022 ODI #11496976.0

Transmission is leaking fluid, I saw a recall for loose screws causing the leak of fluid

brakes 3 complaints shown

91 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/31/2021 ODI #11445748.0

While attempting to apply the brakes to slow down a message appeared on the instrument panel that said Service Brake Assist.. My safety was put at risk by not having proper breaking. The problen was addressed at a gm dealer and I was told there are no recalls for this type of problem for my vehicle.

12/29/2023 ODI #11562567.0

The vacuum pump that provides brake assist failed without any prior warning. This resulted in an inability to properly stop the vehicle. This could have resulted in serious injury or death, but we were fortunate that the failure occurred at night in an area where there was no traffic or pedestrians. This failure appears to be similar to a previous recall that affected slightly earlier model years of GM cars and trucks. The vacuum pump was replaced and corrected the problem.

12/28/2023 ODI #11562304.0

Vacuum pump for brake booster failed. Lost braking power. Caused debris to be injected in to engine. Caused camshaft failure. Dealership confirmed, and inspected. Check Engine light and Reduced Engine Power message at time of failure. Slight rear brake pulsation 1/2 hour before. I thought it was just moisture/rust on the rotor as the car had been in the body shop for 2 months following a deer collision.

engine 2 complaints shown

37 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/20/2024 ODI #11631797.0

Good afternoon I hope everyone is well. This complaint I'm filing for Turbocharger/Supercharger A under boost condition (P0299) with my daughters 2018 Chevy Equinox. When you research this error with Chevy/GM vehicles you'll see this impacts all vehicles, but Chevy/GM is only recalling their vehicles from 2022+. I've spoken with numerous auto mechanics throughout the United States, and every auto mechanic has stated this is an issue that impacts all Chevy and GM vehicles. Both Chevy and GM are deceiving everyone and there's a significant issue that requires Chevy and GM should address.

12/11/2024 54,717 mi ODI #11630084.0

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the "Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle unintentionally went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo charger assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo charger boost assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the last time where it was diagnosed that once again the turbo charger boost assembly needed to be replaced. The

steering 1 complaint shown

15 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/30/2023 ODI #11562784.0

the vacumm pump grenaded and sent metal chunks into the camshaft knocking the reluctant wheel out of position causing the car to shut down and lose brakes and power steering. There were no prior engine codes or warning. multiple mechanics verified this and it is a known issue. Gm needs to deal with this and should put out a recall. such a new vehicle should not need motor work at 70k miles!!

fuel system 1 complaint shown

8 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system cluster analysis →
12/29/2025 ODI #11707454.0

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vents while driving 45 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Advance Auto, where the contact was informed that there was a fuel leak, which could cause fire. The contact was advised to park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that all four fuel injectors were leaking and required immediate attention. The contact was advised that the parts needed to be ordered to do the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000(Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure a

wheels 1 complaint shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $400 · see wheels cluster analysis →
12/17/2018 13,000 mi 1 injury ODI #11162131.0

Our 37 yr old son who was visiting from out of town for the holidays was driving on our local interstate when he heard a loud noise in the front end and what he thought was the drivers side. He knew he did not hit anything in the road or pothole. The next thing he knew he was quickly sliding to a stop. He did not know what happened. He pulled onto the shoulder of the road and saw the left front tire was missing, but observed that the five lug nuts and the center part of the aluminum alloy cast rim were still tight and intact on the hub. Two new york state police responded and retrieved the tire, rubber still fully in tact, no blow out, no damage, but the entire inner rim had disintegrated was missing. The only part of the rim left was the circle area that the tire hugs, basically the lip

Showing 300 of 386 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Equinox#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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