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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2018 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2018 Ford Expedition

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2018 Chevrolet Equinox versus 2018 Ford Expedition — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.4 versus 3.0) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

3.4/5
Reliability score
376 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$13,650 repair exposure
vs

2018 Ford Expedition

3.0/5
Reliability score
346 complaints
6 recalls (0 critical)
$13,200 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox scores 3.4; the 2018 Ford Expedition scores 3.0. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, know what you're getting into on brakes and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2018 Ford Expedition sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2018 Ford Expedition? Watch the powertrain and engine. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2018 Chevrolet Equinox
2018 Ford Expedition
powertrain
57 reports
severe · ~$2,500
128 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
engine
34 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
82 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
brakes
90 reports
severe · ~$450
No reports
electrical
46 reports
moderate · ~$850
19 reports
severe · ~$850
suspension
No reports
24 reports
moderate · ~$900
lighting
No reports
22 reports
moderate · ~$250
visibility
13 reports
severe · ~$350
8 reports
moderate · ~$350
wheels
11 reports
severe · ~$400
8 reports
moderate · ~$400
steering
15 reports
severe · ~$700
No reports
airbags
13 reports
severe · ~$1,100
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox or the 2018 Ford Expedition?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.4 versus 3.0. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?

Compared to the 2018 Ford Expedition, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox sees more reported issues in brakes and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Ford Expedition?

Compared to the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2018 Ford Expedition has more complaints in powertrain and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2018 Ford Expedition has more active recalls (6 vs 2). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,650 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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