The Lemon Index2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is better than average by owner complaints: 183 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 54, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 24 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Equinox year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2018–2024 Chevy Equinox, 9.4M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical625K views
Chevrolet Equinox Key Fob Battery Replacement (2018 - 2021)FobBattery · 346K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door411K views
2018 - 2021 Chevy Equinox Cabin Air Filter - How To Remove Replace Change Location Chevrolet DIYPYR Automotive · 261K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service156K views
2014-2018 chevrolet equinox how to reset tpms fastCorsa Auto Repair & Sales Inc · 156K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition155K views
UNFIXABLE: Crank No Start 2019 Chevy Equinox *Only 60,000 Miles*WatchJRGo · 118K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter55K views
2018-2025 CHEVY EQUINOX 1.5L Turbo - Drain and fill Bad Transmission FluidPro Tips Plus · 55K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank46K views
2018 Chevy Equinox Fuel Injector Replacement - Complete InstructionsDavid Stumph · 46K views - Oil dilution & oil burning36K views
2019 Chevy Equinox LS 1.5 Turbo EcoTec Oil Consumption Problem Burning oil Not Leaking it.Al Young Cuda · 36K views
Before you buy, watch
Pick or Pass? | Should You Buy a Used 2018–2024 Chevy Equinox?CarMax · 72K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Equinox SUV 2018-2024 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 57K views
GMC Terrain vs. Chevrolet Equinox Which one should you buy? | Full SUV Comparison 2023"Cars Unlocked · 38K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 410 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Equinox year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 65K miles on the car (188 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 14K–81K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 10K–105K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–80K miles
Recalls 5
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- brakes 2018
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Show all 5 recalls
- visibility 2018
The driver and front passenger door window glass may not be properly tempered.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1338 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This preliminary information was created to explain a body noise concern from the rear of the…
- This Preliminary information communicates the following to the dealer
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Brakes grabs,makes loud scrubbing noise when applied to slow down,stop,or turn.sound like right front end rods going to break, and feels like brakes slipping, and not wanting to stop at times.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox owner · NHTSA complaint 11259023
More owner reports
Oil leak noted on ground after being driven. Started out being small drops but gradually worsened. Dealership stated "weld around oil pan was not properly sealed"
NHTSA complaint 11191574
Less then 10,000 miles in the car and the check engine light has come on. There had not been an issue with it at all until today when I started my car after work.
NHTSA complaint 11111805
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Equinox year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Equinox problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (18%), engine (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox get?
24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Equinox problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 65,000 miles. The middle report was at 22,200 miles, from 188 complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Equinox year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works