2018 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems
132 of the 408 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database10 of the 132 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 7 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 22 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 16
Half of the 43 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 38,000 and 110,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
408 complaints in all about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, 16 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Equinox brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact's vehicle failed to stop and crashed into two vehicles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained burns to the arms and hands, but medical attention was not provided.
Roughly 38k miles on vehicle, went on a road trip and about 80 miles into the trip, was slowing down for traffic and breaks went out, the master cylinder. It was incredibly hard to press down on the breaks taking all my effort to stop the car
Brakes grabs,makes loud scrubbing noise when applied to slow down,stop,or turn. Sound like right front end rods going to break, and feels like brakes slipping, and not wanting to stop at times
I was traveling 70+mph on a freeway and I went to slow down for a speed limit change for road construction. I couldn't push down on the brakes!! Thankfully there wasn't anyone in front of me! I was able to put on my hazard lights and coast while pushing as hard as I could on the brakes.
I AM driving down the highway when I get a warning saying service brakes. I went to hit my brakes and I had none at all! I almost hit a car because it was getting off the ramp and hit its brakes. I had to go over to the side of the road to keep from hitting it. I found out that the brake vacuum pump went out.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V576000 HighAug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Source: the same files- engine problems 95 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 66 complaints
- electrical problems 61 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 132 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (32% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V576000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 64,000 miles; half of them between 38,000 and 110,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.