2018 Chevrolet Equinox transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V668000Oct 29, 2020194,105 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

  Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

• Recall 17V516000Aug 22, 20172,905 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.

  Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 23, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   Complete and sudden failure of Transmission involving the clutches (clutches are burned up inside the transmission). No warning or dash lights. Confirmed by mechanic and the solution is transmission replacement ($10,000). Car would not accelerate and began losing power on highway. After I exited the highway, the car would not engage gears and stopped accelerating resulting in having to push it out of the roadway and get it towed to my mechanic for diagnostic.

   NHTSA complaint #11766399 · source
2. Filed Jul 28, 2026112,381 miARTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping and shifted hard. Additionally, while on an incline, the vehicle failed to get up to speed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The vehicle was driven in LIMP Mode back to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11753336 · source
3. Filed Jul 22, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   While turning right at a red light my vehicle started making knocking noises, loss of acceleration then the ECM (limp mode) and ESC code happened. Protecting the vehicle from damage due to transmission fluid loss. Looked under the car and Transmission fluid was pouring out between the transmission and drive shaft. Car will no longer start due to codes being present from the computer shutting the car down during fluid loss.

   NHTSA complaint #11752207 · source
4. Filed May 23, 2026ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving over the expressway, the engine light came on the vehicle started revving extremely hard but was decreasing speed to less than 20 miles per hour I had to cut on the hazards and coast into s safety lane where I could get off the expressway. I then shifted the car into park cut off the vehicle and cut it back on, the car started up but make loud noises from the engine I was able to coast my way home and park the vehicle. When I checked the app for issues it…

   NHTSA complaint #11739670 · source
5. Filed May 12, 2026117,000 miMITowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while his wife was driving 10 MPH, while depress the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact mention she put the vehicle gear shift in park and two mins later the vehicle began to work as intended. The contact mention once his wife returned to the residence depressing the accelerator pedal attempting to reverse the vehicle and the vehicle failed to respond again causing the contact to push…

   NHTSA complaint #11737259 · source
6. Filed May 7, 2026160,000 miMDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as needing transmission fluid. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with missing bolts on the start-stop…

   NHTSA complaint #11736244 · source
7. Filed Apr 28, 2026168,053 miMITowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. The contact pulled over to the closest exit and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off and then restarted; however, while attempting to drive forward or reverse, the vehicle failed to move. The contact inspected the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fuel leaking from…

   NHTSA complaint #11734222 · source
8. Filed Mar 3, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slips and shutters/shakes when accelerating and going from a complete stop. Vehicle is not drivable long distances as the issue gets worse as the car heats up. No codes or sensors are indicating a problem. This is an ongoing problem despite having the transmission rebuilt. Issues first started a year ago and have been progressively getting worse.

   NHTSA complaint #11721679 · source
9. Filed Feb 3, 2026101,000 miMIElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11715300 · source
10. Filed Jan 8, 2026RITransmission & Drivetrain

    While backing out of a parking space, with my 1 year old infant in the back seat, my vehicle became stuck in reverse and would not shift into drive or park. The vehicle became disabled and the warning dash stated to put the vehicle in park but i could not park or do anything else and couldnt take my foot off the brake or else i would continue reversing. Eventually i was able to at least turn the vehicle off but the vehicle remains with the shifter stuck in reverse after…

    NHTSA complaint #11709792 · source
11. Filed Nov 6, 2025OKBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

    While going 80mph on the highway at 2:00am on or around 10/6/2023, my power braking system went out without warning. I was able to get it off the road and to a shop where they told me it was the vacuum pump and cam shaft. Repair took a week. 7 months later on 5/31/2024, it went out again, luckily in town going 35mph, and involved the vacuum pump, cam shaft, and this time the oil pump as well. Repair took 5 months due to parts availability. The only time the engine light came…

    NHTSA complaint #11697882 · source
12. Filed Oct 8, 2025FLTransmission & Drivetrain

    I’ve heard about some recalls and Technical Service Bulletins related to the transmission, especially the start-stop accumulator bolts possibly missing and some transmission lubrication concerns. I checked my VIN on the NHTSA website, and it shows no open recalls. However, I want to confirm: Whether my vehicle was part of any recall related to the transmission or start-stop accumulator bolts. If the recall was completed or if any transmission-related TSBs apply. Whether…

    NHTSA complaint #11692110 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology