YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 15 airbag complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of its 408 total complaints for the year. These complaints involve 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 14 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 19,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this area.

Airbags complaints
15
4% of 408
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
14
Median mileage
19,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Owners report front or side airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, leaving occupants to sustain injuries such as neck pain, concussion, or broken bones.
  • Some owners describe smoke or fire coming from the airbag or seat area after a collision, in one case igniting the passenger seat.
  • Several complaints describe the airbag warning light staying on or cycling on and off without a clear cause, sometimes tied to the passenger seatbelt buckle.
  • One report describes a steering wheel airbag deploying but breaking apart and throwing debris during a minor accident.
  • One owner reported the vehicle's automatic emergency braking and airbags both failing to activate during a rear-end collision.

When 2018 Chevrolet Equinox airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 16, 2018, latest Sep 1, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox airbags complaints: complaints filed per month1Feb 2018Jun 2018Jan 2019Oct 2020Mar 2023Oct 2023May 2025Sep 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2018 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2018 (1).

Airbags recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Airbags complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200538 (6%)
  2. 200611 (2%)
  3. 2007146 (21%)
  4. 2008110 (30%)
  5. 200926 (28%)
  6. 201057 (7%)
  7. 201152 (7%)
  8. 201219 (3%)
  9. 201325 (3%)
  10. 201429 (5%)
  11. 201537 (5%)
  12. 201612 (3%)
  13. 201719 (7%)
  14. 201815 (4%)
  15. 201911 (4%)
  16. 20207 (2%)
  17. 20214 (4%)
  18. 20224 (2%)
  19. 20232 (2%)
  20. 20243 (4%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA lists 15 airbag complaints for the 2018 Equinox, which is 4% of the 408 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for airbag problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
No related recall is listed in the data for the airbag complaint area on the 2018 Equinox.
Did the airbag issues on the 2018 Equinox cause injuries or crashes?
Yes. The 15 airbag complaints are linked to 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 14 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 19,000 miles.
What kind of airbag failures do 2018 Equinox owners report?
Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, smoke or fire near the airbag area, illuminated airbag warning lights, and in one case an airbag deploying but breaking apart.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.