2018 Chevrolet Equinox: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Transmission & drivetrainFire 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.

  Details 20V668000

  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.

  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.

• Fuel systemFire risk

  A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Details 18V358000

  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.

  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 & wipers

  If the glass is not tempered properly, and the window is broken, the glass can break into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.

  Details 18V252000

  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."

  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.

• Brakes

  A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 18V576000

  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.

  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.

• Transmission & drivetrain

  If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 17V516000

  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.

  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.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Doors and locks: During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
• Fuel system: Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and potentially leak fuel.
• Transmission: 18277 - Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles equipped with RPO MNH (6 Speed Automatic Transmission) may have been built without a transmission case assembly cup plug.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

407 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

What a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

From new to now

New, a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox started at about $24,525. At a typical 96,000 miles today it trades in for about $8,513 — roughly 65% less.

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line. “New” is the base price (cheapest version) as published, give or take destination fees; higher trims cost more.

Other Chevrolet Equinox years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024