Owners have reported 22 crashes, 5 fires and 29 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints88
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent issues with the brake vacuum pump in the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, often resulting in a hard brake pedal and a loss of braking capability. Complaints frequently mention that these failures occur without warning, sometimes accompanied by dashboard alerts such as "Service Brake Assist" or "Reduced Engine Power." Several reports indicate that the vacuum pump failure can lead to significant engine damage, with some noting occurrences around 50,000 to 120,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with seven incidents involving crashes and two injuries reported, highlighting the potential for loss of vehicle control. Buyers considering this vehicle should be aware of these recurring brake system issues and the associated risks.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints56
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several recurring powertrain issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, with common complaints involving transmission problems and drive shaft failures. Symptoms frequently described include rough shifting, inability to shift gears, and complete loss of propulsion, often occurring around 70,000 to 107,000 miles. Some reports indicate the vehicle gets stuck in reverse or fails to move when in drive, while others mention the drive shaft fracturing during operation. Safety implications include two crashes and one injury, with incidents of sudden loss of power and brake assist failures potentially leading to dangerous situations. These patterns provide useful context for prospective buyers considering the reliability and safety of this model year.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints42
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the accelerator pedal sensor, which causes the vehicle to enter limp mode at highway speeds. Complaints often describe dashboard warning lights, such as traction control and reduced engine power, and mention that these issues occur at high mileage, around 99,400 to 159,000 miles. Additional electrical problems include non-functional speedometers, odometers, and gas gauges, with some reports of the vehicle failing to shut off or restart without disconnecting the battery. Safety implications are significant, with one crash reported and issues such as unintended vehicle shutdowns, loss of braking power, and malfunctioning driver assistance features like side detection and parking brakes. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues related to the Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Frequency, Brake Vacuum Pump failures, and transmission problems. Symptoms include repeated check engine lights, vehicle power down, erratic braking behavior, and transmission fluid leaks. Complaints often mention mileage as low as 12,580 miles for tire wear issues, while brake and transmission issues are noted around 64,271 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes, loss of braking control, and engine shutdowns while driving. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially the potential for brake failure and transmission problems, which have led to injuries in some cases.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints27
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues related to engine power reduction and stalling. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power, often accompanied by an "Engine Power Reduced" message, and stalling while driving, which can occur without prior warning. These issues typically arise at various mileages, with some reports at approximately 54,000 miles and others at higher mileages like 130,000. There are also multiple complaints about turbocharger failures and camshaft problems. Safety implications are noted, including one report of a fire linked to a turbocharge issue and instances where power loss or stalling occurred in traffic, posing potential risks. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring engine issues when considering a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with the fuel system, notably fuel leaks and inaccurate fuel gauge readings. Common symptoms include the smell of gasoline, visible leaks underneath the vehicle, and fuel gauges that inaccurately display fuel levels, often failing to register full or empty properly. Several complaints involve fuel-related stalling, with one severe incident involving a fire that resulted in injuries. These issues often occur at various mileage points, with some reports as early as 4,000 miles. Buyers should be aware of potential safety risks associated with fuel leaks and gauge inaccuracies, especially when driving long distances or in remote areas.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints14
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with the steering system, including steering wheel sticking and electronic steering failures. Complaints describe symptoms such as the steering wheel sticking momentarily, a delay in steering response, and the vehicle pulling to one side, often at highway speeds. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 16,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with one reported crash involving steering lock-up, and other owners mention near-miss incidents due to loss of control. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential steering issues and their associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with airbag deployment, particularly during collisions, with multiple complaints indicating airbags did not deploy despite significant impacts. Typical symptoms include airbag warning lights activating without clear cause and instances where airbags failed to deploy during crashes, leading to injuries. Some complaints also describe airbag-related fires and smoke without deployment. These issues are reported at various mileage ranges, with some as low as 3,050 miles. Safety implications are significant, as reports include crashes with injuries and one involving a fire, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 1 fire, 11 injury reports
Owner complaints11
WHEELS
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox frequently report issues with wheel components, particularly involving rim failures and rapid tire wear. Several complaints describe rims disintegrating or exploding during driving, leading to crashes and injuries, with one report noting the vehicle rolled multiple times. Tire wear is another common issue, with multiple owners indicating excessive wear at low mileages, often below 20,000 miles, despite regular maintenance such as rotations and alignments. Some owners also report persistent tire pressure loss and related TPMS alerts, raising concerns about potential sensor or valve stem issues. These symptoms suggest potential safety risks, including loss of vehicle control, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox report several issues related to engine and engine cooling, with oil leaks being a recurring problem. Complaints frequently mention oil leaks due to rusted oil pans and issues with the turbocharger, with some owners needing to add oil weekly. Additional symptoms include the "Engine Power Reduced" message, smoke from the exhaust, and illuminated check engine lights. One owner describes a significant mechanical failure involving a fractured camshaft and related components, leading to vehicle stalling, with failure mileage around 96,000. Safety concerns are noted with stalling incidents, though no crashes or fires are reported. These issues are often observed at mileages ranging from 2,000 to over 130,000, suggesting potential long-term reliability concerns for used car buyers.
