Chevrolet Equinox 2018-2024: Problems and Reliability

The Chevrolet Equinox of the third generation does not have a strong reliability record. In severe cold, the 1.5L turbo engine can suddenly lose power. Beyond that, Transport Canada has 12 recalls on this generation, mainly brakes, fuel, and seats. Before considering a Chevrolet Equinox from 2018 to 2024, be aware of this article.

• Charge air freezing in the intercooler (1.5L turbo, severe cold). Power drops and the engine misfires in cold weather. General Motors fixes it under warranty by replacing parts. No official recall.
• Excessive oil consumption and timing chain wear (1.5L turbo engine). A rattle returns on cold starts, especially on the 2018-2021 models. The repair is expensive if the chain stretches.
• Faulty rear brake calipers (2018-2020). Two separate problems are covered by official recalls. Rear braking effectiveness drops, or the brakes drag.
• Fuel system leaks (2018-2022). Three separate campaigns. From the high-pressure pump to the pump module, with a risk of engine stalling.
• Repeated seat defects (2019, 2022-2023). Several recalls, different parts. The 2019 recall on the right rear seatback is associated with an increased risk of injury in a collision.

Technical Briefing

Between 2018 and 2019, Chevrolet offered three powertrains. A 1.5L turbo, a more powerful 2.0L turbo, and a Duramax turbodiesel. Starting in 2020, the 2.0L turbo and the diesel were discontinued. The 1.5L turbo remained the only engine through 2024. An internal update arrived around 2022. Front-wheel drive was standard. All-wheel drive was optional. Five seats, no third row.

The third-generation Equinox was assembled for a long time at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Production left CAMI for Mexico after April 2022.

Most frequent problems

Transport Canada lists 12 official recalls that apply to this third generation (2018-2024), out of a total of 21 recalls affecting the Equinox across all generations combined. Brakes, the fuel system, and the seats come up most often. Frozen turbo air in the intercooler and oil consumption were not the subject of a safety recall. They remain well documented in the manufacturer’s technical service bulletins and in repeated accounts on forums.

Defective rear brake calipers

Two separate cases. On the 2018 and 2019 Equinox, an insufficient coating on the caliper pistons could create gas pockets. Rear braking suffered. Transport Canada recall 2018-461.

On some 2020 models, an incorrect lubricant caused the seals to swell. The brakes dragged. The case is with the U.S. highway safety agency (NHTSA 19V704000). There is no clear file on the Transport Canada side. If you drive a 2020 Equinox, check the VIN.

Fuel supply system leaks

Three campaigns. In 2018, a high-pressure pump could come loose and damage the line. A poorly sealed tank gasket then affected the 2019-2020 models, with a possible leak near the filler. An insufficient-flow pump module targeted the 2022 models. Risk of stalling on the road.

NHTSA extends this last case to some 2021 models. Transport Canada mentions only 2022. If you are buying a 2021 Equinox, run the VIN through both registries.

Repeated manufacturing defects in the seats

Four recalls, four parts. Right rear seatback support poorly welded in 2019. Seat mechanism in 2022. Driver cushion frame poorly welded, power recline, in 2022. Stripped or loose bolt at the height adjuster, 2022-2023.

Transport Canada links the 2019 seatback to a higher risk of injury in a collision. A poorly welded seatback can fail. The others are fixed quickly at the dealership. Their recurrence on different parts points to uneven quality control at assembly.

The recalls

Transport Canada lists 12 distinct official recalls, a figure comparable to that of competitors in the class. Three fuel campaigns and four seat campaigns make up the bulk of the file. Brakes, tires, windows, the stop-start accumulator, and door strikers follow, one campaign each.

Two model-year ranges differ. The stop-start accumulator bolts (TC 2020-520): 2019 at Transport Canada, 2018-2020 at NHTSA. The Hankook tires (TC 2021-489): 2022 in Canada, 2021-2022 in the United States. NHTSA also adds 2021 seat belt bolts and 2020-2023 child seat anchors, with no clear Canadian record. Check the VIN.

Technical service bulletins and recurring complaints

Outside the recalls, several issues keep coming back. They help when choosing the model year and the inspection.

Turbo air frozen in the cooler in severe cold

On the 1.5L turbo, condensation from the crankcase ventilation system can freeze in the charge-air cooler. This is the small radiator that cools the air compressed by the turbo before it enters the engine. The crankcase ventilation system also sends oil vapors there. When the temperature drops below freezing, the air no longer flows normally.

Power drops suddenly. Or the engine misfires severely, with codes tied to boost pressure. The problem shows up from 2018 into the early 2020s, especially in harsh winters. For a Quebec owner, this is not a theoretical case. General Motors replaces the charge-air cooler and a revised grille shutter under warranty. No safety recall. Handled case by case at the dealership.

Excessive oil consumption and premature timing chain wear

The same 1.5 L turbo uses too much oil on some vehicles. Mechanics point to low-tension piston rings and a fragile breather. Without watching the dipstick, the chain can stretch. The classic symptom is a metallic rattle on a cold start.

The years cited most often are 2018 to 2021. The repair covers the chain, guides, and tensioner. The bill climbs if the camshafts have to be replaced as well. There is no technical service bulletin number independently confirmed for this specific problem. On a used Equinox, demand the service history. Watch the oil level between oil changes.

Transmission shudders and jerks

Mainly 2018-2019: jerks at a stop in first gear, or a shudder between third and fifth, sometimes around 67,000 km. A 2022 case describes a loss of power after a sharp noise, around 29,000 km. Mechanics mention worn fluid, solenoids, and sometimes a misfire that was misdiagnosed. No confirmed bulletin or recall. These are owner reports, not an official campaign.

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Freezes and restarts of the multimedia system MyLink

Mainly 2018-2020, the MyLink screen freezes or restarts on its own. The touch controls become unusable for a while. A long press on the power button often clears the freeze. Otherwise, disconnect the negative battery terminal for about twenty minutes. Unlike other General Motors models that received a multimedia warranty extension, no equivalent program has been identified for the Equinox.

What owners say

On the forums, the 2018-2024 Equinox draws sincere comments for a smooth drive and a comfortable cabin, for families and daily trips alike. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are well integrated. Some complain about too much touchscreen and the lack of a physical switch for the headlights. Cargo space divides opinion. Many find it well thought out. Others find it modest compared with the previous generation or the Honda CR-V. In severe cold, some doors and locks freeze as well. On fit and finish, poorly tightened screws and interior moisture in the rain come up again.

In conclusion

Before 2022, the record is too crowded. Brakes, fuel, oil and the 1.5 L turbo timing chain fill 2018-2021. Recalls TC 2018-461 (2018-2019) and TC 2019-462 (2019-2020) overlap in 2019. Transport Canada and the U.S. registry do not always list the same years on the same campaign. Run the VIN and the service history before you sign. We do not recommend model years under 2022.

From 2022 on, complaints drop. The 2022 remains tied to the fuel pump module recall (TC 2023-013). The 2024 carries the door striker recall (TC 2023-690). On the 1.5 L turbo, oil changes kept current and an oil-level check between services: that is what limits the risk of a stretched timing chain.

Safe travels!