2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. This model year has 375 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Brake System
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Considering a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 122 | 10 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 82 | — | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 59 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 57 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 50 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 30 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 13 | 8 | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 375 most recent complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine Auto START/STOP system intermittently failed to restart the vehicle while at a complete stop, requiring the driver to shift to park(P) to manually restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while driv…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 75,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 252,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer mileage was 60,248. The contact stated that upon applying for extended warranty services, the contact was informed t…
The TCM went out with zero warning and I know that this is a huge problem known with many of the Chevy equinox and traverse. Recalls on my equinox have not been updated since August of 2021....that's a very long time with no updates
While driving the brake pedal suddenly became hard to push making the car unable to slow down. Put car in neutral and managed to get off street into parking lot and coast to a stop. Car would no longer start. Towed to dealership for assessment. Reports of broken vacuum pump piece…
Losing all power to the brakes.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the vehicle stalled, shut off, and failed to restart. The vehicle was later towed back to the residence. While inspecting under t…
Vehicle does NOT come to a complete stop. It moves forward about an inch after I stop and park. It's being going on since I got the car. I assumed it was normal until I drove another car and it didn't happen.
Brake system has failed. “Brake Assist Service” has popped up on screen. Taken to two separate facilities who said this is a KNOWN problem with this vehicle make and model.
The contact's mother owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel…
Automatic transmission slips and shutters/shakes when accelerating and going from a complete stop. Vehicle is not drivable long distances as the issue gets worse as the car heats up. No codes or sensors are indicating a problem. This is an ongoing problem despite having the trans…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to three separate Smog Local State Inspections; however, the vehicle failed to communicate with the system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was…
My wife was leaving work. She pulled out onto the highway and while accelerating she heard a loud thumping noise under the car. When she stopped and looked under the car, the driveshaft was broke in half. The repair shop we took it to said that they couldn't find anything that wo…
Got word from the mechanic at the dealership that the cam shaft is leaking oil as well as the fuel injectors retainers are out and need to be sealed as they are also leaking. the engine went into safe mode to prevent any engine fires.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle sputtered, and there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The co…
Vehicle is leaking coolant excessively. Faulty 55513550 water pump (ACDelco/GM OE) commonly causes engine overheating, coolant leaks (often from the weep hole), and unusual noise (squeaking/rumbling) in 1.6L diesel engines for Chevrolet Cruze, Equinox, and GMC Terrain. It may cau…
For the 4th time since November 2025, my vehicle has shut off while driving and there was a severe gas smell. Check engine and traction control lights on dash. So far the turbo booster and fuel injector have been replaced but the issue keeps happening. This vehicle is not on reca…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after having a software update to the ECM following the notice of an unknown recall, on several occasions while in reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed lik…
My car has a slow crank and when I am driving down the road it cuts off completely and does not want to crank. I have a signal on my car that says reduced speed and the speed is cut down and drags . My car also smells like gas and there is a leak coming from the vehicle it drains…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor of fuel coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pads were wearing abnormally quickly. The message speed reduced was displayed. The engine warning light was illuminated…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
Recalls for 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 375 NHTSA owner complaints, 22 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Brake System (122 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
#1: Brake System (122 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (82 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (59 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 22 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 375 total NHTSA complaints. 27 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?▾
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The largest issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Brake System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Equinox reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.