2018 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 570 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: this vehicle was sold as having a tow pkg with the capability of pulling a 3500 lb trailer. there is no brake harness available on this car (a separate cab brake control is a legal requirement in every state based on tow loads, michigan is 3000 lbs.) dealership acknowledges they can't locate it, w. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 22 crash reports 20 injuries

570

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

125 complaints

22%

• THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS HAVING A TOW PKG WITH THE CAPABILITY OF PULLING A 3500 LB TRAILER. THERE IS NO BRAKE HARNESS AVAILABLE ON THIS CAR (A SEPARATE CAB BRAKE CONTROL IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN EVERY STATE BASED ON TOW LOADS, MICHIGAN IS 3000 LBS.) DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THEY CAN'T LOCATE IT, W
• I HAVE MY 2018 AWD EQUINOX 3 WEEKS AND 800 MILES. SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST DISPLAYS ON THE INFO-CENTER. BRAKES ARE CONSTANTLY GRINDING AND INCONSISTENT. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ENGAGE HARD WITH NORMAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR TO COME TO A SERIOUS AND UNEXPECTED ABRUPT STOP. THIS CAN CAUS
• I BOUGHT MY CAR TO BE DINGHY TOWED. THAT MEANS THE CAR IS PULLED BEHIND A MOTORHOME WITH ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE GROUND.MY FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY WAS DYING WHEN IT WAS BEING TOWED. MY NEXT PROBLEM WAS THAT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN IT WAS BEING TOWED CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO BE GROUND DOWN PAST

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 10 crashes

“THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS HAVING A TOW PKG WITH THE CAPABILITY OF PULLING A 3500 LB TRAILER. THERE IS NO BRAKE HARNESS AVAILABLE ON THIS CAR (A SEPARATE CAB BRAKE CONTROL IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN EVERY STATE BASED ON TOW LOADS, MICHIGAN IS 3000 LBS.) DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THEY CAN'T LOCATE IT, W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

91 complaints

16%

• MY 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE 1.5L TURBO ENGINE FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 14 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST RESPONSE I GOT WAS "THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE, JUST DRIVE IT AS NORMAL"
• I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE AT FELDMAN CHEVROLET IN NEW HUDSON MI ( LOCATED AT 30400 LYON CENTER DRIVE E, NEW HUDSON< MI 48165 : 248-573-0321 ) I PURCHASED A 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX ( VIN [XXX] ) THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING 2017 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THURSDAY 2/15/2018 WHEN MY SOLID STATE CHE
• I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE OCT 31,2017 AND WITH IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 1,400 MILES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS MECHANICALLY WRONG AND IT WAS OKAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHT ON. IT EVENTUALLY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“MY 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE 1.5L TURBO ENGINE FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 14 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST RESPONSE I GOT WAS "THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE, JUST DRIVE IT AS NORMAL"”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

63 complaints

11%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. C&O MOTORS (516 MACCORKLE AVE, ST ALBANS, WV) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V516000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED T
• MY 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR (6TH) FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW. I BROUGHT IT INTO A CHEVY DEALER NEAR ME, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THIS VEHICLE, WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 14 DEGREES.. THE SERVICE MANAGER CITED A GM TSB #18-NA-03

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. C&O MOTORS (516 MACCORKLE AVE, ST ALBANS, WV) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

58 complaints

10%

• WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO
• I WAS ABLE TO WALK IN FRONT OF MY EQUINOX, IN DRIVE, (UNKOWN TO ME) THINKING THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK.. START BUTTON IS INVISIBLE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS ALIGNED PROPERLY AND TO SMALL TO SEE, AND THE LIGHTS ON IT ARE TOO SMAIL. EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT. NO SUNSCREEN BANNER ACRO
• 1) FCA - FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWED OUR VEHICLE TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. IT INTERMITTENTLY WILL GIVE WARNING OF BEING CLOSE TO CARS IN FRONT OF IT. IN THE ACCIDENT THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE FCA 2) FAB - FORWARD AUTOMATIC BRAKING FAILED T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

57 complaints

10%

• THE POWER LOCKS IN MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THEY NO LONGER RESPONDED TO THE KEY FOB, INTERIOR LOCK BUTTONS, OR EXTERIOR HANDLE BUTTONS AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WAS FROM THE INTERIOR USING THE DOOR HANDLES OR MANUALL
• I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE AT FELDMAN CHEVROLET IN NEW HUDSON MI ( LOCATED AT 30400 LYON CENTER DRIVE E, NEW HUDSON< MI 48165 : 248-573-0321 ) I PURCHASED A 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX ( VIN [XXX] ) THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING 2017 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THURSDAY 2/15/2018 WHEN MY SOLID STATE CHE
• I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE OCT 31,2017 AND WITH IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 1,400 MILES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS MECHANICALLY WRONG AND IT WAS OKAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHT ON. IT EVENTUALLY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“THE POWER LOCKS IN MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THEY NO LONGER RESPONDED TO THE KEY FOB, INTERIOR LOCK BUTTONS, OR EXTERIOR HANDLE BUTTONS AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WAS FROM THE INTERIOR USING THE DOOR HANDLES OR MANUALL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 570 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS HAVING A TOW PKG WITH THE CAPABILITY OF PULLING A 3500 LB TRAILER. THERE IS NO BRAKE HARNESS AVAILABLE ON THIS CAR (A SEPARATE CAB BRAKE CONTROL IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN EVERY STATE BASED ON TOW LOADS, MICHIGAN IS 3000 LBS.) DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THEY CAN'T LOCATE IT, W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY 2018 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE 1.5L TURBO ENGINE FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 14 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST RESPONSE I GOT WAS "THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE, JUST DRIVE IT AS NORMAL"
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. C&O MOTORS (516 MACCORKLE AVE, ST ALBANS, WV) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHILE DRIVING WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR PLUS MYSELF THE DRIVER ON THE FREEWAY STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THEN THE WARNING SCREEN STARTED BRINGING UP WARNINGS OF MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY AND SO THEY TRIED TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)