2018 Chevrolet Equinox problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 408 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, filed between 2017-06-29 and 2026-09-23. The most common problem areas are the service brakes (118, 29%), engine (86, 21%) and power train (66, 16%). Owners reported 23 crashes, 4 fires, 30 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2018 Chevrolet Equinox complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 118 | 29% | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine | 86 | 21% | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 66 | 16% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 61 | 15% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 55 | 13% | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 33 | 8% | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Structure | 17 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 16 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 15 | 4% | 9 | 1 | 14 |
| Steering | 15 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 14 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 13 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Service brakes: 118 complaints
- 118 complaints of 408 (29%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 26 of them also name the engine; owners reported 9 crashes and 7 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox; the recall, campaign 18V576000, says: “The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.”
Engine: 86 complaints
- 86 complaints of 408 (21%) name the engine.
- 26 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 2 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Power train: 66 complaints
- 66 complaints of 408 (16%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 16 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox; the latest, campaign 20V668000, says: “The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.”
Electrical system: 61 complaints
- 61 complaints of 408 (15%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 10 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 33 complaints
- 33 complaints of 408 (8%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 9 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Structure: 17 complaints
- 17 complaints of 408 (4%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 6 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 48 |
| 2019 | 44 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 59 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names EQUINOX, model year 2018. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox's most common problem areas are the service brakes (118 of 408 complaints), engine (86 of 408 complaints) and power train (66 of 408 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA has 408 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, including 23 reported crashes and 4 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox's problems?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.