2018 Chevrolet Equinox recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and 410 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are service brakes (132), engine (86), power train (66). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2018 ranks #10 of 14 Equinox model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (362). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 2.5 per model year.
Recalls 5
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Power train · automatic transmission
Problem: 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. 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · caliper
Problem: 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. 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.
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Problem: 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. 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.
Visibility
Problem: 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. 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.
Power train · driveline · driveshaft
Problem: 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. 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH with the contact seated in the front passenger seat, the contact attempted to open the retractable sunroof shade cover, which retracted only 6 inches. After several attempts, an abnormal loud sound was heard, and the shade cover detached, hanging down and obstructing rear…
start-stop accumulator is leaking fluid on transmission. Fluid coming from bolts and gasket area.
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 h…
Safety ratings
2018 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD Later Release
2018 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD Later Release
2018 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD Early Release
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Equinox AWD
Auto 6-spd · 4 cyl · 1.6 L · Diesel · Turbo
Diesel
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Equinox FWD
Auto 6-spd · 4 cyl · 1.6 L · Diesel · Turbo
Diesel
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, most recently for power train · automatic transmission (10/29/2020). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
Based on 410 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are service brakes (132), engine (86), power train (66).
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox safe?
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2018 a good year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2018 ranks #10 of 14 Equinox model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (362). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 2.5 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox get?
EPA ratings for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox range from 26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: EQUINOX, Equinox.