YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 104 engine-area complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, 25% of its 408 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 29,500. There are no related recalls tied to this engine complaint category.

Engine complaints
104
25% of 408
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
29,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power shown as a "reduce power" warning while driving at highway speed, with the vehicle slowing sharply.
  • Check engine light illuminating with no clear cause, sometimes within the first few thousand miles of ownership.
  • A brief unintended surge or lurch after releasing the brake pedal but before pressing the accelerator.
  • Engine shutting off and restarting on its own while the vehicle is stopped.
  • Vehicle decelerating on its own while driving at various speeds even with steady brake pressure.
  • Transmission getting stuck in first gear with high RPM, followed by random unintended acceleration.

When 2018 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 22, 2018, latest Sep 13, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter92018 Q12019 Q12020 Q12021 Q32022 Q32023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
104 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q2 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Equinox model year

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

  1. 2010318 (41%)
  2. 2011443 (57%)
  3. 2012372 (54%)
  4. 2013426 (57%)
  5. 2014243 (44%)
  6. 2015239 (35%)
  7. 2016214 (54%)
  8. 2017195 (71%)
  9. 2018104 (25%)
  10. 2019111 (37%)
  11. 2020107 (35%)
  12. 202118 (19%)
  13. 202229 (17%)
  14. 202317 (18%)
  15. 202419 (24%)
  16. 202531 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA lists 104 engine-related complaints for the 2018 Equinox, which is 25% of the 408 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for engine problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaint category for this model year.
At what mileage do 2018 Equinox engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints is 29,500 miles.
What kind of engine issues do 2018 Equinox owners report?
Owners describe sudden power loss shown as a "reduce power" message, unexpected engine shut-off and restart while stopped, brief surges after releasing the brake, and the transmission getting stuck in first gear.
Is the engine complaint rate higher in 2018 than other Equinox years?
No. The 25% share of complaints for 2018 is lower than in most other model years listed, such as 2017 at 71% and 2011 at 57%.

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.