13 complaints reported

2018 Chevrolet Equinox SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
13
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2025

My 2018 equinox was running perfectly. Then several warning lights popped up on the dash. I pulled into my daughter's school and didn't have power breaks. Even though brake fluid was full. It wouldn't start back up. A mechanic shop looked at the car and said they thought the timing was off. But couldn't guarantee it. Another mechanic looked at it a few days later and said I needed a new power break pump that the had broken at the camshaft connect. He said the car would need to rebuild the motor or buy a used motor because of the damage. I have heard of several people who have had the same exact issue with the chevy 1.5 turbo motor in many chevy vehicles. There should be a recall as there is never a warning that the vacuum break pump is getting ready to go bad and cause severe engine damage.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2024
Mar 2025

Vehicle displayed reduced engine power, check engine light, and service brake assist all at the same time. Brake pedal wouldn't move leaving me without brakes. Coasted to stop and shut off car. Brake did not release and now engine won't start. Informed brake vacuum booster pump is problem and ruined motor now.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2025
Dec 2024

Vacuum pump failed and broke with no warning signs at all. After replacement now it will not start well and when it does I have lose off power. Lost brakes while driving on a country road and had to have it towed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2024
Sep 2024

Due to mechanical error with the vacuum brake pump that has had millions of vehicles listed in the recall except for the Equinox, it caused $4,000 worth of damage to my vehicle and almost caused a crash on a highway in close proximity to an ambulance that was actively on an emergency run. I was on a major highway traveling at about 60 MPH. I was able to coast enough to wear I could safely get to the shoulder of the highway, take an exit ramp, and coast up the hill out of the way of the ambulance. I contacted GM and have yet to hear anything further back. This incident could have cause a catastrophic crash and further delayed medical treatment for whomever was needing the ambulance. After some research on the matter, I found that 3.4 million vehicles of GM were recalled after this exact issue had resulted in 113 accidents and 13 injuries. 2014-2018 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra and GMC Yukon were all listed under the recall, but not the Equinox. After being forced to have the vehicle towed to a dealership, they confirmed that the vacuum brake pump seizing up is what caused the pedal to lock up and send metal into my engine, which has now cost me upwards of $4,000. General Motors failed to include the Equinox in this recalls and still refuses to do so. I fear this will happen, in time, to other owners of a Chevrolet Equinox. I am reaching out to all possible avenues for what my next options are and attempting to prevent this from happening to someone else. GM needs to be held responsible for this matter and issue a recall for the Equinox as well before something catastrophic happens if it hasn't all ready.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2024
Jul 2024

Brake assist light went on, had the brake pads and rotors replaced, light went off. 6 months later the light came back on but this time the brake pedal was hard. I did not drive it after that. After looking online and seeing dozens of people with the same issue, I took a chance and bought the brake booster and had my friend, who is a certified mechanic, replace the part. The old vacuum pump had frozen up and broken along with the gears, which had fallen into the engine, just like what I was seeing all over the Internet. People are getting hurt and lives are at risk, this should have been recalled!!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2024
May 2024

The brakes in our 2018 chevy equinox have went out three times in the past month. First time the car was parked fully functioning the night before, woke up the next morning for work and there was no brakes. Replaced the vacuum pump and they worked good as new. Second time we are driving down a busy highway and had been for half an hour. 2 minutes from our destination at the ONLY turn we had to make the whole trip, the brakes all of a sudden went out. This could have easily resulted in a fatal crash. Again, the vacuum pump. Now were to today, the third time our brakes have failed and this time it came with the check engine light and “engine power reduced”. GM NEEDS TO RECALL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2024
Jan 2024

Vacuum pump coming apart internally making it virtually impossible to stop the car using the brakes. This was a known issue on other GM Models the vacuum pump failing caused damage to my camshaft and possibly to my engine.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2024
Dec 2023

Vacuum pump for brake booster failed. Lost braking power. Caused debris to be injected in to engine. Caused camshaft failure. Dealership confirmed, and inspected. Check Engine light and Reduced Engine Power message at time of failure. Slight rear brake pulsation 1/2 hour before. I thought it was just moisture/rust on the rotor as the car had been in the body shop for 2 months following a deer collision.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2023
Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to remain running after being started. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that his brother used an ODB scanner and retrieved DTC codes: P0017 (Crank shaft Phaser, Exhaust Camshaft, Valve Cover Gasket), P1556 (Variable-Solenoid), P0011 (Camshaft), PO0014 (Engine), and P2227 (Turbo Charger). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the timing chain, cam shaft, brake booster, and vacuum pump. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that there was no coverage for the repair under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2023
Apr 2022

The vacuum pump in my 2018 Chevrolet Equinox no longer works. I have a “hard brake” and when I attempt to stop At low speeds there is a grinding sound with my vehicle.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Nov 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY, THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST LIGHT APPEARED. UPON BRAKING, BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HARD (LIKE PUSHING ON A BRICK) TO STOP. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GETTING STOPPED, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, CAR FAILED TO START. TOWED FROM HOLSTEIN IOWA TO MILFORD, IOWA LATE ON A FRIDAY. NEXT MORNING, DEALER IN SPIRIT LAKE IOWA WAS CONTACTED. A 2ND TOW TO THE DEALER HAPPENED ON SATURDAY. DEALER BRIEFLY LOOKED AT IT AND STATED IT WAS A CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR OR SENSOR AND THEY WOULD GET TO IT AFTER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE GAVE ME A RENTAL TO GET HOME (5 HRS SOUTH) HOWEVER, I AM STILL PAYING ON A UHAUL TRAILER RENTAL AS THE RENTAL VAN DID NOT HAVE TOWING CAPABILITIES. TOW 1 WAS $250 AND TOW 2 WAS $125. RENTAL IS $50 PER DAY. PARTS/LABOR IS EXPECTED TO BE A LITTLE OVER $2200 PLUS THE VAN RENTAL, PLUS THE UHAUL TRAILER EXTRA DAYS RENTAL, PLUS THE GAS TO GO BACK AND GET THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT HOME WITH THE UHAUL TRAILER. DEALER WAS ADVISED BY ME TO LOOK AT THE VACUUM PUMP ON TUE A.M. TUE P.M. DEALER CALLED BACK. VERIFIED VACUUM PUMP ISSUE AND STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IT DISINTEGRATED. IT WAS ALSO SITTING ON THE FRONT DUAL OVERHEAD EXHAUST AND THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE CAMSHAFT EXHAUST. BOTH OF THOSE BROKE AWAY AS WELL. NEED TO REPLACE THOSE AND THE TIMING CHAIN WITH AN OIL CHANGE TO ENSURE NO METAL REMAINS IN THE ENGINE. GM/CHEVY SHOULD BE FIXING THIS AT NO COST PLUS PAYING FOR THE TOWING CHARGES, EXTRA RENTALS, AND GAS. NOT HAVING BRAKES IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND PUTTING MY LIFE, MY FAMILY'S LIFE AND THE LIFE OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AROUND US IS NOT WHAT I CONSIDER A GOOD PRODUCT. PHOTOS FROM THE DEALER WILL BE ASKED FOR, ESPECIALLY THE VACUUM PUMP. I WILL PROMPTLY FORWARD BILLS AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2020
Aug 2020

10/2019 - WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, COMING INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PUSHED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THEY WERE VERY HARD AND WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THEM DOWN. ENDED UP HAVING TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. VACCUM PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE IN MY BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM. IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 9/2020 - DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. AGAIN HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. THIS TIME WHEN THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, IT BROKE A GEAR CAUSING METAL PIECES TO BE SUCKED IN THE ENGINE AND NOW MY ENGINE IS NEEDING REPLACED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BASED ON THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR WHILE TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS AND BEING UNABLE TO STOP. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE PUTTING IN THIS VEHICLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2020
Jan 2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I GOT AN ERROR SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND MY ENGINE CUT OUT, AND THEN RIGHT AFTER, I GOT AN ERROR SAYING BRAKE ASSIST ON, AND MY BRAKES FELT LIKE A BRICK WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THEM. I MADE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE HWY, AND PUSHED MY BRAKES REALLY HARD AND THEN PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH EQUINOXS WITH MY ENGINE TYPE, WHERE THE VACUUM PUMP GOES OUT, AND THEN THE GEAR RUNNING IT BRAKES, AND THEN THE METAL FROM THAT GEAR GOT SUCKED UP INTO MY ENGINE. THAT VACUUM PUMP CONNECTS TO BOTH MY BRAKES AND MY ENGINE, WHICH IS WHY I LOST BOTH AT THE SAME TIME WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR ANY INDICATION ANYTHING COULD BE WRONG BEFORE IT HAPPENED. MY ENGINE IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOWN WITH NO WARNING. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY PART, AND THEY ASSURED ME IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING, SOME OF THE VACUUM PUMPS THEY USED ARE JUST BAD. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VIN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. I LOST MY BRAKES AND MY ENGINE GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A BRIDGE. I WAS JUST LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND STOP WITHOUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING ANYONE ELSE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 13 SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.