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KLUNK
KLUNK

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

The Verdict

35 Check Engine

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (120 complaints) and brakes (89 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 35/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Equinox, consider the 2024 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 83% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox dashboard →

35

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

17V516000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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 w...

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, w...

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 1-8...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

18V252000 VISIBILITY

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...

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.

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20051267714219696
20063337412114224
20071392520529124
200810971598113
200916341286
201022913101325116
2011164208143974
201221484637834
201320795943331
201423194524117
2015337126324223
20161463232109
20173182419213
201885894912045
201948573312923
202046672613022
2021255192711
2022264131064
2023131410462
202417128244
20257717583222

By Category

Engine
120
Brakes
89
Body
85
Electrical
49
Transmission
45

By Severity

1
195
2
164
3
4
4
25

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 1

My 2018 Equinox is failing California Smog due to an incorrect CVN error code, which is covered under Emissions Recall N212345540 or N202298780 and the dealership is refusing to reflash it and asking me to pay for a full diagnostics when there is no check engine light on. I also had a full diagnostic run on June 2nd $289.99 which confirmed this code and referred me to the BAR Referee who also confirmed this is causing the issue.

26d ago
Brakes 2

I was driving and the brake vacuum pump failed and the metal shards went up into the engine. The service light went on as they failed and I lost the ability to brake. Yes, we still have the part and the shards that came out of the engine, but there are still pieces in the engine. my safety was at risk and everyone else's on the road because I had no brakes and was driving 45 mph. The vehicle has not been looked at yet by any professional because so far no mechanic will touch it.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The car cut off on the street with no warning. Once I crank the car back up and pulled over, it was leaking fuel and coolant with no warning lights on the dash boatd

1mo ago
Engine 2

Early this year I traveled to Mobile AL. While I was driving my car made this sound and it lost acceleration but no warning light appeared on my dashboard. My car eventually lost power and I had to get a tow. I went to a repair shop and they explained to me that it was the turbo that’s why I lost acceleration they said a lot of equinox with turbos are having this problem but it only goes out around 100000 mile but I only had 67000+ miles on my car at the time. The mechanic explain it shouldn’t have gone out so soon as it did. Also the vehicle makes a sudden jerk or jolt while driving this maybe an engine or transmission problem without any warning sign signaling there’s a problem with the vehicle. I’ve researched this and learned that this model vehicle has transmission problem while driving

1mo ago
Engine 1

The fuel management system leaked from car causing fuel to pour out of 2018 chevy equinox d2

1mo ago
Brakes 2

We purchased our car new. Around 70,000 miles or so the brakes went out and were barely usable. We had it towed to Moses in Charleston and it was apparently an issue with brake booster or vacuum pump. I don’t have the specifics at the moment but they fixed it and we drove it home and it did the same thing again with the brakes going out. Had it towed again back to them and they did something else and it was fixed. Fast forward to today and there are 155000 miles in it and it did the same thing. Clearly this is extremely dangerous! Every time it occurred my husband was driving and was able to handle it. If I was driving, it could be a totally different story. Upon a google search it appears there is a lawsuit in Michigan over this because it is clearly a problem and a dangerous one at that. I will also note that my sister in law also has about the same model equinox and hers did it as well.

1mo ago
Engine 1

While driving over the expressway, the engine light came on the vehicle started revving extremely hard but was decreasing speed to less than 20 miles per hour I had to cut on the hazards and coast into s safety lane where I could get off the expressway. I then shifted the car into park cut off the vehicle and cut it back on, the car started up but make loud noises from the engine I was able to coast my way home and park the vehicle. When I checked the app for issues it started engine and transmission service immediately. I looked up the issues on website and was given link to power train recall but it says my Vin is not added in recall....I have to look into getting my transmission serviced

1mo ago
Engine 1

Loss of breaks lead to calling mechanic. After diagnosis, vacuum pump had broken teeth. Metal discovered in engine oil.

1mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle for a SMOG emissions inspection, the vehicle failed the inspection due to an engine-related failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Engine Control Module (ECM) required recalibration. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

2mo ago
Engine 2

Travelling on a highway with 70 MPH posted speed limit, the vehicle dashboard signaled the check engine light and a variety of warnings that "power reduction measure" was enabled and to "service brake assist." At the next available exit, I was able to exit from the highway and go to a gas station, where upon pulling next to a pump the brake pedal became extremely hard and nonresponsive, resulting in poor braking, nearly striking the car in front of me, even at a very low speed. Upon a quick internet search, it appeared that other vehicles were having the same issue, and it was recommended not to drive, as well as information referring to an ongoing class action lawsuit. A tow was called and brought to the nearest Chevrolet service center (Nels Gunderson Chevrolet), where they confirmed the brake booster vacuum pump failed (exploded) and sent shrapnel into the camshaft, noting that both would need to be replaced, which is the exact same repair that other vehicles similar to this one are having or have had.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while his wife was driving 10 MPH, while depress the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact mention she put the vehicle gear shift in park and two mins later the vehicle began to work as intended. The contact mention once his wife returned to the residence depressing the accelerator pedal attempting to reverse the vehicle and the vehicle failed to respond again causing the contact to push the vehicle into their driveway. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to dealer where they informed him, they will need to breakdown the transmission in order to diagnoses the vehicle The vehicle was not repaired. The contact search on the internet found two recalls relating to the failure NHTSA Campaign Numbers 20V668000 & 17V516000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 117,000.

2mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as needing transmission fluid. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign:20V668000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

2mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. The contact pulled over to the closest exit and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off and then restarted; however, while attempting to drive forward or reverse, the vehicle failed to move. The contact inspected the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fuel leaking from the side of the engine near the high-pressure fuel pump underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission intake failed, causing the transmission to fail. The transmission was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,053.

2mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine Auto START/STOP system intermittently failed to restart the vehicle while at a complete stop, requiring the driver to shift to park(P) to manually restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor entering the vehicle from the A/C vents. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 10-15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with GM Customer Satisfaction Program: N242489010 (Possible Leak at Fuel Injector Rail Assembly). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the program. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 75,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 252,000.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer mileage was 60,248. The contact stated that upon applying for extended warranty services, the contact was informed that the odometer was last reported at 155,000. In addition, the contact purchased a Carfax Report, which indicated that in September 2024, the odometer mileage was 144,738. The dealer was made aware of the discrepancy.

3mo ago
Body 1

The TCM went out with zero warning and I know that this is a huge problem known with many of the Chevy equinox and traverse. Recalls on my equinox have not been updated since August of 2021....that's a very long time with no updates

3mo ago
Engine 1

While driving the brake pedal suddenly became hard to push making the car unable to slow down. Put car in neutral and managed to get off street into parking lot and coast to a stop. Car would no longer start. Towed to dealership for assessment. Reports of broken vacuum pump pieces and related metal debris found in engine. Dealership recommended engine replacement. Notified GM, they provided a case number and helped discount the full cost of engine replacement down to $6,225.00 which we paid out of pocket (or risk losing the full value of our equity in the vehicle against a replacement).

3mo ago
Brakes 2

Losing all power to the brakes.

4mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the vehicle stalled, shut off, and failed to restart. The vehicle was later towed back to the residence. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the fuel pump had failed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer had not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,900.

4mo ago

388 total

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