2018 Chevrolet Equinox UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
My wife was leaving work. She pulled out onto the highway and while accelerating she heard a loud thumping noise under the car. When she stopped and looked under the car, the driveshaft was broke in half. The repair shop we took it to said that they couldn't find anything that would have caused that to happen except that the driveshaft was rusted about halfway through and probably got week and broke under the stress while accelerating. They also said that the metal used to make the driveshaft was almost very thin. He has seen muffler pipes that were thicker than the driveshaft.
My Code for the transmission is showing up for inspection the engine light on but no noted transmisson prolems noted 2017 is showing up.
When I gets an oil change days later my car start running slow saying decrease in power I was told air is getting in the filter and causes a freeze to decrease the power which is dangerous in traffic. This has been going on for the last two years. I’m told thousands of equinoxes has been brought in for service with the same scenario. It started in January of 2023
Code P0299 Dash says engine power reduced, speed has been reduced, a long with power and gas consumption not good, smelling gas in oil, not sure if connected. Dealer says no recall but it is a design flaw from supercharger freezing up due to no protection from elements, out of pocket to fix design flaw $1100 not covered under warranty or recall
The sunroof has a major leak, flowing through the fuze box and filling up the spare tire well and soaking all the carpets. This could potentially create a very bad mold issue, which I am trying to avoid. I’ve seen many others with this car have the same issue and nothing is being done to solve this. I am paying all this money for a car that is just going to rot from all this water, and possibly cause sickness with the mold. How is this not a recall?
The first half of the panoramic moon roof exploded as I was driving down the road. There are several article about this same issue happening to other GM vehicles however, it was never determined to be a recall. The vehicle has not been inspected. It is sitting in my garage waiting for a part to come in so a glass company can install a new one. There was no warning, the roof was not hit by anything, it just exploded as I was driving down a major highway.
Transmission is leaking fluid, I saw a recall for loose screws causing the leak of fluid
2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER "A" ARM FAILED ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES.
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD that has trouble shifting gears when going uphill and the car sounds like it's struggling. Lately I've had a similar issue going downhill where the RPM meter shoots up and (I'm guessing) won't shift gear. Makes a horrible sound and feels like I'm breaking the car!! Any advice? Could it be a transmission fluid issue? Also, my driver's seat moves about, side to side, over bumps, etc. Any input on how to proceed to get this fixed? I have also had the following service lights pop up on my center display screen from time to time recently: service side detection system and service park assist system.
Panoramic Sunroof buckled and shattered. (thank goodness we weren't driving it at the time). Police were notified as we weren't sure if it was vandalism but seeing the way the frame buckled and the glass concave it's a defect
For about a month the Traction Control Light comes on, the Service Brakes Assist Light comes on, the Alternator Symbol comes on. Yesterday, Monday, November 22, 2021, the vehicle stopped while driving on the street and it required a jump to get it started again. It has been very slow when starting back when at the red/green light. Very sluggish to slow motion to get speed. The system was showing low oil percentage at 53% but oil was changed three months ago and is not due for change until January, 2022 at 47281 miles. Current mileage is 45740/50. Took car back to Art Moran last Friday to have system reset since it had not been done at the time of oil change. Please respond ASAP. My father is 80+ and he was very frightened when the car stopped on him.
The ac went out on the 2018 equinox and the dealership replaced and ac line citing it was the wrong line and a bolt from the fan shroud rubbed a hole in the line. I have the pictures the dealership took prior to repairs. the hose and we line it up with the bolt on the fan shroud and we do not see how the bolt would rub the hose. It has to be a factory defect.
VEHICLE DEALERSHIP DID GENERAL SERVICE ON 04/08/2020 AND REPORTED THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE NEAR 2/32" WITH ONLY 12,580 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A MICHELIN RECALL FOR THESE TIRES. I COULD NOT FIND ONE LISTED, THE TIRES INVOLVED ARE MICHELIN LTX 225/60R 18 100H DOT B5 14 016X 2317.
1. ON 31JAN2018, I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVROLET EQUINOX PREMIER FROM SCENIC CHEVROLET IN WEST UNION, SOUTH CAROLINA. 2. IN MID-FEBRUARY 2018 ON A 5-6 HOUR TRIP, TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95. MY WIFE AND I COULD NOT HEAR OURSELVES AND COULD NOT CONVERSE AS THE NOISE WAS OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD, A CONSTANT GROWL. WE BOTH DEVELOPED HEADACHES ABOUT 4 HOURS INTO THE TRIP. 3. THE EQUINOX WAS TAKEN TO VADEN CHEVROLET IN SAVANNAH, GA WITH THE COMPLAINT AND INFORMATION ABOVE. VADEN SERVICE PERSONNEL EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND 'FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY'. 4. IN MARCH, 2018, I OBTAINED A DECIBEL(DB) METER, FOR SOUND MEASUREMENT. WITH THIS METER, I WAS ABLE TO MEASURE SOUND EXPOSURE LEVEL(SEL) . 5. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WHILE ON ANOTHER ROAD TRIP, AGAIN ON INTERSTATE 95, I WAS ABLE TO MEASURE THE NOISE LEVEL. IT FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 81 AND 85 DECIBELS, 'A' SCALE (DBA). NIOSH & OSHA WOULD RECOMMEND LIMITING THE 8 HOUR EXPOSURE TO LESS THAN 85 DBA. AND REQUIRE 6. WITH ANOTHER TRIP TO VADEN, THEY EXAMINED THE EQUINOX AGAIN USING A FREQUENCY METER. MY EQUINOX WAS DRIVEN IN COMPARISON TO ANOTHER ANALOGOUS EQUINOX. VADEN INFORME THEM D ME THEY BOTH SOUNDED THE SAME AND THE FREQUENCY WAS QUITE SIMILAR. I WAS UNABLE TO CONVINCE THAT FREQUENCY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH AMPLITUDE. I WAS TOLD THAT IS THE WAY GENERAL MOTORS ENGINEERS DESIGNED THE VEHICLE. 7. LATER IN MARCH 2018, I INSULATED THE VEHICLE DOORS, FRONT AND REAR FENDERS, AND BACK HATCH WITH SOUND PROOFING MATERIAL AT MY EXPENSE. THE DECIBEL RATING DECREASED TO 78-82 DECIBELS AT 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE 95. MY WIFE AND I HAD TO SHOUT AT EACH OTHER TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION. 8. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF HEARING CONVERSATION, THIS VEHICLE IS QUITE DISMAL. VADEN CHEVROLET IN CONJUNCTION WITH GMC HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY, W.L.BOHACH LT.COLONEL USMC(RET)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THERE WERE NO CRACKS, OR CHIPS.
THE SUNSHADE IN THE EQUINOX 2018 PREMIER EDITION HAS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. IT HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SENT PLASTIC PIECES FLYING AND I ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR!
THE SUNROOF OPENED TWICE BY ITSELF , ONE IT SAT FOR AWHILE I GOT IT CLOSED AND IT HAS NEVER OPENED AGAIN. NO POWER AS IF THE FUSE IS BLOWN NOW.
SINCE PICKING UP THIS VEHICLE ON 5/29/18 I HAVE NOTICED (OCCASIONALLY) THAT THERE IS A "GRAB OR PULL" ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ALIGNMENT APPEARS TO BE OKAY, AND WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED I WAS TOLD I HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS CHECKED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT I NEEDED A NEW SET OF TIRES! THIS WAS CONCERNING TO ME AS I HAD JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. WHEN THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OKAY. I AGAIN MENTIONED THE "GRAB/PULL" SITUATION AND WAS TOLD IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE TIRES. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVING TWO OTHER PEOPLE DRIVE THE SAME, THE SITUATION STILL EXISTS. WE HAVE ALL DRIVEN OTHER CARS OVER THE SAME ROADS AND HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME RESULTS. I AM WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE A FAULTY SENSOR? I HAVE NOTICED THIS GOING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY.
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED. I HAD JUST ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED. I DIDN'T FIND AN OBJECT IN THE CAR THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT.
VIBRATION IN DASH THE MORE YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE LOUDER THE VIBRATION GETS WHILE DRIVING OR MOVING
WHEN I AM IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC I GET A STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL IN MY AIR CONDITIONER. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY "COULD NOT SMELL IT" . MY EYES WATER,AND I GET A HEADACHE IF I DRIVE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME I HAVE TO PUT MY WINDOWS DOWN. TWO TECH DID SAY THEY SMELLED IT FAINTLY. I GAVE UP TAKING IT IN BUT I DO STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 18000 MILES ON IT AND DRIVE MOSTLY SHORT TRIPS.
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 WAS DEFECTIVE AS I DID NOT DRIVE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON.
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE APPROX 25 MPH WITH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN, THERE STARTS A VERY LOUD CONSTANT NOISE ALONG WITH THE ROOF PANEL VIBRATION THAT CAUSES A DISTRATING NAUSEA AND HEADACHE, AND VOICE MODULATION WHEN CONVERSING WITH PASSENGERS. YOU ARE FORCED TO RAISE THE WINDOWS TO PREVENT HEADACHE. IF ONLY ONE WINDOW IS OPEN THE NOISE IS STILL PRESENT BUT TO A LESSER AMOUNT. DEALER SERVICE ACKNOWLEGES BUT CLAIMS NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.
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 TO WORK - IT DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN OUR VEHICLE STRUCK A CAR IN FRONT OF IT. OUR VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 7MPH WHICH IS IN THE SPECIFIED RANGE PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. 3) LDW - LANE DEPARTURE WARNING DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WARN WHEN OUR VEHICLE CROSSES OVER A LANE MARKER LINE NOR DOES IT GIVE A GENTLE ASSIST TO THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND TOOK FOR A TEST DRIVE. THEY CLAIM THAT IT IS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATION, BUT AGREED THE SYSTEMS DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR AS ADVERTISED. WE TOOK A NEW 2018 EQUINOX FOR A TEST DRIVE, ANF FOUND THE FCA AND THE LDW FAILED TO PERFORM PROPERLY THE SAME AS IN OUR VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC FAILURE IN 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX VEHICLES
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 ACROSS FRONT WINDSHIELD
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Quick Summary
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 25 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.