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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 408 safety complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with the US government. Of those, 23 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 30 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 118 complaints, 29% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 21,500 miles, the median across the 187 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

408 complaints on file

408

Complaints

23

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

30

People injured

1

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
SERVICE BRAKES 118 · 29%
ENGINE 86 · 21%
POWER TRAIN 66 · 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 61 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 55 · 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 33 · 8%
STRUCTURE 17 · 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 16 · 4%
AIR BAGS 15 · 4%
STEERING 15 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14 · 3%
WHEELS 13 · 3%
0 50 100

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 408.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 59.

64 48 32 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Chevrolet EQUINOX, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD Early Release SUV AWD Later Release SUV FWD Early Release SUV FWD Later Release
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.5% 16.4% 18.8% 18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

20V668000 · October 29, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

General Motors LLC · up to 194,105 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

18V576000 · August 30, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

General Motors LLC · up to 210,628 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

18V358000 · May 31, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

General Motors LLC · up to 895 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY

18V252000 · April 19, 2018

The defect
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."
The 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.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the glass in the front doors, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18136.

General Motors LLC · up to 379 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

17V516000 · August 22, 2017

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,905 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 death · 3 injured · crash · towed

I am an investigator w/ the Medical Examiner's office in Dallas, TX. We are investigating the death of an individual who was inside a 2018 Chevy Equinox that was "rebuilt." During the minor accident, the steering wheel airbag deployed, but exploded and shot many large pieces of debris and shrapnel at the decedent's face. Ultimately leading to her passing. After the examination, a large piece of metal w/ a serial number was located. [XXX]. We are working alongside Dallas PD VHU for this crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11760781. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 injured · crash · towed · 400 miles

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON,A TWO LANED HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I JUST HEAR AN EXPLPSION. THE SOUND OF WHAT I FOUND WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION MY CAR WENT INTO OMCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. I BROKE MY PELVIS AMD THE SEAT BELT CUT ME OPEN. I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND HAVE A SLIGHT BRAIN INJURY. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. RIGHT BEFORE THE EXPLPSION SOUND MY CAR VEARED TO THE RIGHT AND I HEARD THE ROAD SAFETY BUMPS. I CORRECTED MYSELF AS I ALWAYS WOULD AND NEXT THING I KNOW IM IN A SEVERE HEAD ON COLLISION LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. TRANSMISSIOMS AND ENGINES DONT JUST FLY OUT DURING AN ACCIDENT EXCEPT AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS... I BELIEVE THE CAR

NHTSA complaint 11163296, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 7,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL, I WAS TURNING INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO STOP. I CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED. WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED. WHEN THE OFFICERS ARRIVED THEY LOOKED AT THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THEY WERE STILL LOCKED IN PLACE.

NHTSA complaint 11078811. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

3 injured · crash · towed · 43,000 miles

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HEARD A LOUD BANG DRIVER FRONT .FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL 6 TIMES UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY POLICE AND MECHANIC FRONT RIM EXPLODED AND DETACHED FROM VEHICLE LUG NUTS ARE THERE AND CENTER OF RIM IS THERE TIRES ARE ALL NEW BUT RIM WAS GONE

NHTSA complaint 11331523. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Complete and sudden failure of Transmission involving the clutches (clutches are burned up inside the transmission). No warning or dash lights. Confirmed by mechanic and the solution is transmission replacement ($10,000). Car would not accelerate and began losing power on highway. After I exited the highway, the car would not engage gears and stopped accelerating resulting in having to push it out of the roadway and get it towed to my mechanic for diagnostic.

NHTSA complaint 11766399. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chevrolet 2018 Equinox with 2.0L has a fail for no OBD communication. The vehicle was take to two separate Smog Local State Inspections; however, the vehicle failed to communicate with the system. I believe from looking at previous complaints on NHTSA that the vehicle has a module with defects and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has 49,000 miles. Previous complaint states that the local dealer was contacted; however, Product Emission Recall: N202298780; repair was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.

NHTSA complaint 11764676. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown 2018 chevy equinox is known that the radio goes out, even after reset or hard reset (disconnect battery) the screen is black no sounds or music plays and the biggest safety related is no reverse camera

NHTSA complaint 11764391. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L developed an active gasoline leak. After the vehicle is cranked/started, gasoline begins leaking from underneath the front/engine area and forms a visible puddle on the ground. Prior to discovering the leak, the vehicle had intermittent hard-starting symptoms where the engine would crank/stutter several times before starting, along with a strong gasoline odor. The exact failed component has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or repair facility. I stopped driving the vehicle because leaking gasoline near the engine/electrical components creates a serious fire and safety risk. The vehicle is available for inspection. Chevrolet advised me that there are currently

NHTSA complaint 11764551, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
On approximately 09/04/2026, while driving my vehicle and slowing to a stop, I applied the brake pedal and it suddenly became extremely hard to depress. At approximately the same time, the steering became very stiff and difficult to turn. I believed I had lost normal braking ability and had difficulty controlling the vehicle while attempting to stop. The engine then shut off on its own. After the vehicle stopped, attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The engine would crank/attempt to start but would not complete the ignition cycle and remain running. A ticking noise was also present. The vehicle remains available for inspection and is being towed to a local GM dealership for diagnosis.

NHTSA complaint 11763908, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Back wiper stopped working while it was on. Wiper arm is stuck straight up on back window. Back wiper motor got extremely hot still trying to work with the car ON or OFF. Would make a clicking sound every 30secounds 24/7 and would drain the battery dead. No power.

NHTSA complaint 11761747. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Equinox

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 71 1 —
2025 228 0 —
2024 79 1 —
2023 95 3 —
2022 177 5 —
2021 96 4 —
2020 309 4 1
2019 302 4 —
2017 273 0 —
2016 396 1 —
2015 680 2 —
2014 548 1 —
2013 751 2 —
2012 685 3 —
2011 782 3 2
2010 784 3 —

Other 2018 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst