This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 38 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 23,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Equinox | 173 |
| 2015 Equinox | 169 |
| 2016 Equinox | 161 |
| 2017 Equinox | 147 |
| 2018 Equinox (this page) | 38 |
| 2019 Equinox | 51 |
| 2020 Equinox | 38 |
| 2021 Equinox | 9 |
| 2022 Equinox | 11 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 38 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a range of engine failures on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, from turbocharger and fuel system issues to catastrophic mechanical breakdowns. Several owners describe loss of engine power while driving—the vehicle enters limp mode or shuts down entirely, sometimes on highways. The "Engine Power Reduced" message appears frequently, often tied to turbocharger or charge air cooler problems; one owner had the turbo assembly replaced three times without resolution.
A connecting rod separated from the #1 piston, causing sudden engine stoppage mid-traffic with no warning. Another owner's camshaft fractured at 96,000 miles, damaging the vacuum pump and solenoid. A fuel pump failed at 72,000 miles with a P0017 error (camshaft position) and catastrophic vacuum pump failure. Oil leaks from the oil pan—due to poor welds and rust—appear on multiple vehicles. Owners report adding quarts of oil weekly due to turbo oil line leaks that persist even after repair attempts. One vehicle experienced a dipstick heater fragment melting into the oil pan.
The auto stop/start system malfunctions, failing to restart after shutting down at traffic lights or hesitating violently when pulling out. Cold-weather hesitation and failure to accelerate during merging occur repeatedly. Some owners describe white metallic debris from air vents, tested as hazardous. Dealerships often cannot duplicate problems or tell owners the issues are "working as designed," leaving owners frustrated and uncompensated.
Same Chevrolet Equinox engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger assembly failure and boost loss
Turbocharger fails to operate under boost conditions; vehicle enters limp mode and displays 'Engine Power Reduced' message. One owner had the turbo assembly replaced three times without resolving the failure.
When: 54,717 miles and various other mileages; cold weather conditions noted
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced message on display; Vehicle unintentionally enters LIMP mode; Reduced engine power and inability to accelerate; Excessive pressure needed to depress accelerator pedal
Codes mentioned: P0299
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger assembly replaced multiple times; charge air cooler replacement attempted; CAC shutter and temperature control valve installed on some vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB Number N222372590 referenced; Special Coverage Program NHTSA ID 10171426 noted as not including 2018 model year; GM only recalling 2022+ models for similar issues per owner complaint
Connecting rod separation from piston
Engine connecting rod separated from #1 piston, causing immediate engine stoppage while vehicle was in motion. No warning signs preceded failure.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred without prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise (owner initially thought tire had blown); Engine stopped/stalled while driving; Vehicle would not restart; Burnt rubber smell detected
Repairs/costs cited: Camera scope inspection confirmed rod separation. Engine replacement cost estimated at $12,000. Owner traded vehicle in rather than repair.
Camshaft fracture
Camshaft fractured, causing vacuum pump and solenoid sensor to fracture. Engine lost power and failed to restart.
When: 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jolted and stalled while driving uphill at low speed; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle failed to restart after stalling
Codes mentioned: P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replaced; vacuum pump and solenoid sensor repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but refused assistance due to vehicle being out of warranty; TSB reference noted by another owner with same code
Fuel pump and transmission intake failure
Fuel leaking from high-pressure fuel pump; transmission intake failed, causing transmission failure. Vehicle lost all power while driving.
When: 168,053 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected deceleration while driving at 80 MPH; Vehicle would not move forward or reverse after shutdown; Fuel leaking from side of engine near high-pressure fuel pump; Check engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission intake failure identified; transmission was not repaired per narrative
Oil leaks from pan welds and turbo lines
Multiple oil leak sources: oil pan welds improperly sealed, oil pan rust, and turbo oil line failures. Owners report adding oil weekly and oil spots on ground.
When: Various mileages (2,000, 132,000 reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil dripping on ground after driving; Spots gradually worsening over time; Smoke from exhaust noted in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan gasket/weld repair attempted; turbo oil line replaced but leak persisted on at least one vehicle. Parts on back order in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred to NHTSA in one case
Auto stop/start system malfunction
Fuel-saving auto stop/start system shuts down engine but fails to restart when driver releases brake pedal, leaving vehicle stalled in traffic. Hesitation and lurching occur when pulling away after restart.
When: Around 15,400–20,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off at stop lights despite brake pedal pressure; Vehicle hesitates or lurches when pulling away after stop/start cycle; Auto stop warning indicator illuminates; Failure to restart when brake pedal released
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report vehicle operating as designed; one owner found no way to disable the feature
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim feature is working as intended; no recall action identified
Cold weather hesitation and acceleration failure
Vehicle hesitates or fails to accelerate when accelerator is depressed, especially in cold weather. Charge air cooler identified as root cause in multiple cases.
When: Cold weather conditions; 130,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation on accelerator input; Complete failure to accelerate during merging attempts; Engine Power Reduced message in cold weather; Vehicle limited to 30 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Charge air cooler replaced; CAC shutter, temperature control valve, and winter grill cover installed; ECM reprogrammed in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VIN not included in recall despite TSB reference; owner referred to TSB N222372590
Engine surge and hesitation from auto stop/start
Vehicle surges unexpectedly when releasing brake pedal without touching accelerator, particularly after auto stop/start activation. Unsafe behavior during traffic merging.
When: Various; noted in cold weather and stop-and-go traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Slight surge when foot removed from brake; Hesitation during acceleration from stop; Lurching when starting from stopped position
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Vacuum pump catastrophic failure
Vacuum pump failed with pieces and metal debris found inside the engine, requiring engine replacement.
When: 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down and will not restart; Broken vacuum pump pieces found in engine during inspection
Codes mentioned: P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement recommended and performed; cost $6,225 after GM discount
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM provided case number and helped discount engine replacement cost
Brake system failure during engine power loss
When 'Engine Power Reduced' message appeared, brakes did not work, leaving driver unable to stop vehicle.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced message appeared while driving; Brake pedal did not function; Vehicle could not be stopped safely
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; repair status unknown
Oil pan rust and weld failure
Oil pan rusts or welds fail, causing oil leaks. One case documented poor weld sealing around oil pan.
When: 132,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from oil pan; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Repair parts on back order; dealership unable to complete repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline
Fuel injector codes and misfire
Multiple fuel injector error codes appearing before 50,000 miles. Vehicles running rough despite dealer inability to recreate issues.
When: Under 10,000 miles and under 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated early in ownership; Rough idle or misfire conditions; Multiple fuel injector codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to recreate or fix issues
Abnormal cooling system odor
Chemical or burning odor from air conditioning system; cooling element burning off. One owner reported white shiny metallic debris from air vents, later tested as hazardous.
When: Around 1,500–2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Chemical or burning smell from AC vents; White shiny or metallic debris from air vents; Intermittent failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; dealership claimed vehicle operating as intended and advised riding it out through winter. White debris tested by Analytics Corporation and found to contain hazardous metals.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer told to wait until summer to address; GM supervisor promised callback but never called; no action taken
Oil pressure gauge fluctuation
Oil pressure fluctuates abnormally from 30 PSI to 70 PSI at constant speed and RPM. Dealer technician unable to reproduce or confirm whether behavior is normal.
When: Ongoing since at least October 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure gauge reads 30 PSI, then spikes to 70 PSI
Repairs/costs cited: Technician could not reproduce issue; no diagnosis provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service manager promised follow-up in October 2018; no response received by January 2019. GM customer care provided no technical explanation and referred owner back to dealer.
Dipstick heater melting into oil pan
Aftermarket dipstick heater (Nickson Industries CAT Engine Heater product) melted and fragment fell into oil pan. Manufacturer confirmed as manufacturing failure.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Fragment of dipstick heater found in oil pan
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan dropped and fragment removed; new battery installed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Aftermarket manufacturer (Nickson Industries) confirmed manufacturing failure when fragments sent to them
Transmission slipping with persistent limp mode
Vehicle displays 'Engine Power Reduced' and reduces speed despite transmission repair. Chevrolet dealership misdiagnosed as transmission slipping; independent shop spent $6,000 on repairs without resolution.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced message appears on highway; Vehicle speed drops to under 40 MPH; Check engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: AAMCO transmission shop performed $6,000 in repairs; issue persists. Dealership refused to help due to vehicle not serviced by Chevy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet refused to accept owner's account of events because vehicle not serviced at dealership
Engine shut down and restart during operation
Vehicle engine shut off and instantly restarted while vehicle was stationary, creating safety hazard.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shut off and restarted simultaneously while stopped at drive-through
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
engine problems
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…
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…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 9,663 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 23,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,663; a quarter make it past 96,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.