Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while at a stop light and releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle shutdown before the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The electrical systems in the vehicle turned on and off and the doors were locking and unlocking independently. Additionally, the instrument cluster warning lights were turning on and off. The contact also stated that the parking brake and traction control functions were engaged. The contact released the brake pedal and the vehicle jolted and turned on and restarted. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred her to the NHTSA hotline, but no additional assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after having a software update to the ECM following the notice of an unknown recall, on several occasions while in reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed like it would accelerate forward. The contact had to push the vehicle for the vehicle to reverse. The contact that while pressing the ignition button on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact continued to press the ignition button, and the vehicle eventually started. Additionally, when the vehicle was started, the "Parking Brake Release" message was displayed even though the parking brake was not engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
I have purchased a 2018 Chevy equinox. It was damaged on the back bumper (rebuilt title). The backup camera works fine but there is a side detection error that comes on everytime I start the vehicle. The shop replaced the entire harness however that did not fix the issue. I have read 1000's of complaints on this. My vehicle has 45000 miles. This is effecting my gas mileage as well as other safety features. I see this has been an issue in MANY GM models and it has been taken care ( special warranty) but not on a 2018 equinox as of yet. I want to report this problem and see if someone can look into all the other forums etc to see how widespread this really is. The light has came on a few times lately but only when I am parked and not going anywhere??? Thanks in advance.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact stated that the infotainment screen was blank. The contact made a right turn and coasted the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the electrical system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to three separate Smog Local State Inspections; however, the vehicle failed to communicate with the system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that an unstated module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, Product Emission Recall: N202298780; repair was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer mileage was 60,248. The contact stated that upon applying for extended warranty services, the contact was informed that the odometer was last reported at 155,000. In addition, the contact purchased a Carfax Report, which indicated that in September 2024, the odometer mileage was 144,738. The dealer was made aware of the discrepancy.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Service Battery Charger" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the alternator, but the failure persisted. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal felt spongy, and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 75,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 252,000.
Since I bought this car I have had to replace sensors like they're going out of style. However I would like to report on 3 sensors that went out simultaneously on my vehicle in heavy traffic. I had the vacuum boost sensor for my master cylinder, my cam shaft sensor and my crank shaft sensor go out simultaneously. As a result my vehicle engine cut off completely (battery components still working) and I had zero control over my breaks. I had to use my full body weight on my break pedal to get the vehicle to stop. I was fortune to have been able to pull off into a parking lot. I have had to replace several o2 sensors on this vehicle. I didn't think anything of having any electrical issues until this happened. My check engine light has stayed on for over a year despite clearing codes and replacing o2 sensors. We check periodically and the only code is usually for the o2 sensor. …
We were driving at night I had turned on the overhead cabin light and when I turned on the overhead cabin light so my wife could hand food to our are sun and behind us the At the same time that I push the button the sunshade started to go and so I let it go but then it got jammed and it started to crank so I pushed the button in it started to go and reverse and then it like Jim in it aint like you know the motor growing sound and like there's a big shatter we thought that it was the glass from the moon roof shuttering turned out it was just like the plastic piece it was like holding the shade in place and so And so then to get that repaired they had to take the roof off take the rails out to get to the little plastic piece to call that plastic piece an external trim fastener so if it was an internal fastener it would be covered if it was because it was a fascinary if it was because it …
Electrical complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, 15% of the model year's 410 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.