UsedScore

2018 Chevrolet Equinox: Solid

Owners filed 214 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 66 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the brakes (26% of complaints, median 38,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.0×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Equinox year
Rank
9th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
214
first five years; 66 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
5
campaigns
3rd generation, 2018–2024 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD

Photo: 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD · Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Brakes26% · 55 complaints · median 38,000 miles
  2. Engine17% · 37 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  3. Powertrain15% · 32 complaints · median 12,000 miles
  4. Air bags4% · 8 complaints · median 12,000 miles
  5. Electrical16% · 34 complaints · median 18,000 miles
  6. Fuel and propulsion7% · 16 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  7. Wheels and tires7% · 15 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  8. Seats and belts6% · 13 complaints · median 21,000 miles
  9. Steering5% · 10 complaints · median 10,000 miles
  10. Visibility6% · 13 complaints · median 20,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners describe losing normal braking power, often with the pedal suddenly turning hard as a brick, frequently tied to a failed vacuum pump. Many say this happened without warning at highway speed, sometimes leading to near misses or crashes, and repairs often involved replacing the pump or engine.

Warning signs:
Many mention a "Service Brake Assist" or "Brake System Fault" dash warning, sometimes with reduced engine power, before the pedal turned hard or unresponsive.
What shops did:
Dealers or mechanics most often replaced the vacuum pump or brake booster, and in several cases also had to repair or replace the engine after metal fragments were found inside it; a few owners say the problem was not found or recurred after repair.
Mileage:
most between 20,000 and 105,000 miles, among 49 complaints that give it

“Went to hit the brakes and the brake pad wouldn't move. I pumped and nothing happened.”

“By stomping on the brakes with full body weight, I was able to drop back in traffic, eventually find an exit to pull off the road.”

Engine

Owners describe a range of engine failures in this model, from turbocharger and charge-air-cooler problems that cut power to vacuum pump failures that damage the camshaft and, in some cases, affect braking. Many say dealers replaced major parts like the turbo or engine, while others report the issue recurring or going undiagnosed.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning messages like "Engine Power Reduced," check-engine lights, rough idle, hesitation, jerking, stalling, and in some cases a hard, unresponsive brake pedal before or during the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the charge air cooler, turbocharger, vacuum pump, camshaft, or entire engine, though some owners say the problem returned or dealers could not duplicate or fix it.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 105,000 miles, among 42 complaints that give it

“Vacuum pump for brake booster failed. Lost braking power. Caused debris to be injected in to engine. Caused camshaft failure.”

“I got an error saying engine power reduced, and my engine cut out, and then right after, I got an error saying brake assist on”

Powertrain

Owners of this model year commonly describe transmission hesitation, jerking, or failure to shift properly, sometimes accompanied by warning lights or stalling. Repairs varied widely, from sensor or fluid changes to full transmission replacement, with some owners saying dealers couldn't reproduce or fix the issue.

Warning signs:
Many mention the check engine or gear-indicator light flashing, hard shifting, hesitation before sudden acceleration, unusual noises, or the vehicle temporarily failing to respond to the gas pedal.
What shops did:
Dealers often cleared codes, replaced sensors, torque converters, charged air coolers, or rebuilt or replaced transmissions, though several owners say the problem could not be duplicated or fully resolved.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 75,000 miles, among 27 complaints that give it

“At highways speeds the engine RPM is running high and noisier than normal.”

“Pulled over and put the vehicle in park and then it worked fine.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (5)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 20V668000October 2020194,105 vehicles

    Power train: automatic transmission

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V576000August 2018210,628 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V358000May 2018895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V252000April 2018379 vehicles

    Structure: emergency: escape/egress/exit · Visibility

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles. The driver and front passenger door window glass may not be properly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."

    Risk: If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the glass in the front doors, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V516000August 20172,905 vehicles

    Power train: driveline: driveshaft

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.

    Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 1,336 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2018 Equinox. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 22-NA-244 · May 2024 · Warranty extensionThis service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The 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…
  • 15-NA-010 · May 2025This 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.
  • 25-NA-100 · April 2025This 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…
  • PI0281L · April 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
  • 25-NA-052 · March 2025This 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.
  • 25-NA-065 · March 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.

All 2018 Equinox bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners filed 214 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 66 for every 100,000 sold: 1.0× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Equinox years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2018 Equinox problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the brakes (26%), the engine (17%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (15%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent in October 2020 (power train). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox on NHTSA.gov · How we rate