2018 Chevrolet Equinox: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 375 complaints, with Brake System as the top reported area.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2018 Chevrolet Equinox trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program4 variants tested — showing 2018 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD Later ReleaseOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 375 owner complaints, 22 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Equinox
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 375
- Crash-related complaints
- 22
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 28
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 26 / 32
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Inspection Focus
- Inspect brake system for signs of premature wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake, engine, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on powertrain components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect brake system for signs of premature wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake, engine, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on powertrain components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox are concentrated in the brake system, with 122 reports, followed by engine problems (82) and transmission/drivetrain issues (59). The data suggests potential concerns with braking performance and powertrain reliability, though the confidence level is low due to the limited sample of one model year.
- Brake system complaints account for the largest share of reports at 122 out of 375 total complaints.
- Engine problems are the second most reported component with 82 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues total 59 complaints, indicating a recurring theme in powertrain reliability.
- Brake system issues, including potential loss of braking power or premature wear.
- Engine problems, such as stalling or reduced power.
- Transmission/drivetrain faults, including hesitation or failure to shift.
All 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| 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.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 375 owner complaints, 22 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
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?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, NHTSA complaints include 22 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 375 total complaints. 27 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. A major recall area is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?▾
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.