What are the most common Chevrolet Equinox problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,590+ owner reports, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 20 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.5L turbo coolant loss / overheating (head gasket & intercooler condensation), Engine-driven brake vacuum pump failure causing sudden hard brake pedal, 1.6L Diesel NOx Sensor Failure / DEF System Faults Causing Reduced Power and Limp Mode. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has 20 known issues documented across 1,590+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: 1.5L turbo coolant loss / overheating (head gasket & intercooler condensation) and Engine-driven brake vacuum pump failure causing sudden hard brake pedal and 1.6L Diesel NOx Sensor Failure / DEF System Faults Causing Reduced Power and Limp Mode. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Equinox problems?
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Equinox issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 1.5L turbo coolant loss / overheating (head gasket & intercooler condensation), typically costs $1,000-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2018-2021 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L turbo coolant loss / overheating (head gasket & intercooler condensation)?
The 1.5L turbo (LYX) in 2018+ Equinox is reported to lose coolant with no obvious external leak, leading to overheating and, in some cases, head-gasket failure (coolant entering the combustion chamber). Owners describe the coolant level dropping over time with overheating events. Repairs typically run $1,000-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Engine-driven brake vacuum pump failure causing sudden hard brake pedal?
Third-generation Equinox (2018-2022) uses a camshaft-driven mechanical vacuum pump mounted at the rear of the cylinder head to supply the brake booster (the turbo intake is pressurized, so there is no manifold vacuum). This pump can seize and its drive gear break, suddenly elimin… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox 1.6L Diesel NOx Sensor Failure / DEF System Faults Causing Reduced Power and Limp Mode?
The diesel Equinox (1.6L LH7) is prone to NOx-sensor and diesel-exhaust-fluid (DEF/SCR) emissions faults. Failing or out-of-calibration NOx sensors and reductant-injection problems set codes such as P11DB (NOx sensor 1 performance) and P249D (closed-loop reductant control at limi… Repairs typically run $350-$1,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2010-2020 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission Shudder and Torque Converter Failure?
Transmission shuddering is common in Equinox models, typically caused by torque converter clutch issues or depleted transmission fluid additives. The shudder is most noticeable during light acceleration between 25-50 mph as the transmission shifts through 3rd-5th gears. Repairs typically run $150-$3,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2010-2023 Chevrolet Equinox Parasitic Battery Drain and Electrical System Issues?
Equinox models are prone to parasitic battery drain where electrical components continue drawing power when the vehicle is off. Common culprits include the OnStar module, radio/infotainment system, interior lights, and stuck relays. Repairs typically run $150-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2023 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5T Turbo PCV Valve and Oil Leak Issues?
The 1.5L turbocharged engine experiences oil leaks near the dipstick tube and PCV valve-related crankcase pressure issues. A faulty PCV valve causes excessive crankcase pressure, which can lift the dipstick tube seal and cause oil leaks. Repairs typically run $100-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2010-2022 Chevrolet Equinox A/C condenser refrigerant leak (warm air from vents)?
The air-conditioning condenser on the Equinox commonly develops refrigerant leaks at its tubes and seals, or from stone-chip damage to the front-mounted core. Because the condenser's internal tubes and seals cannot be serviced individually, a leak requires full condenser replacem… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L Turbo Charge Air Cooler (Intercooler) Condensation Restricting Airflow — Underboost / Reduced Engine Power?
On 1.5L turbo (LYX) Equinox models, moisture accumulates inside the charge air cooler (intercooler) and, in cold or highly humid weather, can freeze or pool enough to severely restrict intake airflow. This trips turbo underboost/MAP faults and pushes the engine into 'Engine Power… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Panoramic Sunroof Drain Tube Clog/Disconnect Causing Water in Cabin and Spare-Tire Well?
On Equinox models with the panoramic/power sunroof, the four sunroof drain tubes are prone to clogging with debris or shrinking and popping off the sunroof tray fittings. Instead of routing rainwater/wash water down the A- and C-pillars and out under the vehicle, the water backs… Repairs typically run $0-$450. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L Turbo Intake Valve Carbon Buildup Causing Misfires and Rough Cold Start (GDI)?
Because the 1.5L turbo (and the earlier 2.4L SIDI) is a gasoline direct-injection engine, no fuel washes over the back of the intake valves. Over 40k-80k miles, oil vapor from the PCV system bakes onto the valves as hard carbon, restricting airflow and disrupting the seal. Owners… Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2024 Chevrolet Equinox Windshield Optical Distortion and Easy Cracking (Weak OEM Glass)?
Owners across multiple model years report the factory windshield cracking from very minor rock strikes that would normally cause only a chip, with some drivers on their second, third, or fourth windshield within a year or two. A separate but related complaint is optical distortio… Repairs typically run $300-$1,300. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Premature and Uneven Tire Wear From Rear Suspension Alignment (Rear Toe/Camber)?
Owners of third-generation (2018+) Equinox report tires wearing out far ahead of their tread-life rating - some down to 1-2/32 in under 20,000 miles on tires rated for 60,000. Investigations point to out-of-spec rear alignment from the factory (excessive rear toe and camber), whi… Repairs typically run $100-$1,100. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2025 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5L Turbo Fuel Injector Leak Causing Misfire, Fuel Odor and Rough Running?
The direct-injection fuel injectors on the 1.5L turbo can leak - internally past a cracked injector body/tip (dumping raw fuel into the cylinder and causing a misfire) or externally past worn upper O-rings (fuel smell, weeping at the rail). This is distinct from the covered high-… Repairs typically run $500-$1,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Turbo Wastegate Regulator Solenoid Failure Causing Overboost/Underboost and Reduced Engine Power?
The turbocharger wastegate regulator solenoid (and the wastegate actuator linkage) on the turbo engines can stick, weaken, or freeze - moisture and oil condensate can jam the solenoid in cold weather. The result is erratic boost control that trips overboost or underboost faults a… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox Infotainment / MyLink Display Goes Black or Reboots Repeatedly?
The center touchscreen (Chevrolet MyLink / Infotainment 3) intermittently goes completely black, freezes, or reboots in a loop while the rest of the car operates normally. Owners lose the backup camera, climate display, radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and OnStar screen. The fa… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox Shift-to-Park False Warning From Failing Park-Position Microswitch in Shifter Assembly?
A widespread, heavily-searched complaint: the driver information center displays "Shift to Park" even though the lever is already fully in Park, and the vehicle then refuses to lock, refuses to allow the key/fob to leave, or will not restart. The root cause is an internal park-po… Repairs typically run $120-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox Cold-Start Rough Running and Stalling From ECM Software Anomaly (1.5L Turbo)?
GM technical guidance documents 2018-2019 Equinox models with the four-cylinder turbo engine running rough and/or stalling on a cold start with the malfunction indicator lamp illuminated. Performance smooths out once the engine warms. The condition is caused by an engine control… Repairs typically run $0-$150. Severity: low.
What is the 2018-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Inaccurate Fuel Gauge / Fuel-Level Sender Misreading (Tank Reads Wrong, Won't Reach Full)?
A very common 2018+ Equinox complaint: the fuel gauge is wildly inaccurate. Owners report the needle never reaches Full even after topping off (often reading ~3/4), drops or jumps erratically, or hits 'E' with many gallons still in the tank — making it nearly impossible to judge… Repairs typically run $100-$700. Severity: low.
What is the 2010-2020 Chevrolet Equinox P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Gas Cap Seal, Purge/Vent Solenoid, or Rusted EVAP Line?
P0442 sets when the ECM detects a small evaporative-system leak — roughly a 0.020–0.040 inch hole's worth of pressure loss. On the Equinox this code follows a clear hierarchy of culprits. The single most common cause across all years is a degraded gas-cap O-ring that no longer se… Repairs typically run $20-$350. Severity: low.
What is the 2010-2022 Chevrolet Equinox Power Liftgate Motor / Latch Actuator / Control Module Failure?
On power-liftgate-equipped Equinox, the hands-free/power tailgate frequently stops working - it won't open, opens but won't latch closed, partially opens then stops, or won't hold itself up. Root causes include a failed liftgate latch actuator, a worn strut/drive motor, misaligne… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: low.
