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Air bagsPart report

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Air bags Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
4%of 410 total for the year
Median mileage
19,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, 4% of the 410 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was in an accident when my 2018 Chevy Equinox rear ended a stopped vehicle at a traffic light. There was significant damage to the front of my vehicle 12k plus. The emergency braking system did not activate, nor did the airbags. My wife experienced severe contusions to the chest area.we wonder why the emergency braking system or airbags failed to deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #11550646, filed 2023-10, 19,712 miles

“Takata recall, I was turning into the left turn lane, when I applied the brakes the brake peddle was locked and I could not apply pressure to stop. I continued to apply pressure to the brake, but it continued to be locked. When I hit the car in front of me the airbags did not inflate. When the car stopped the brakes continued to be locked. When the officers arrived they looked at the brake peddle and they were still locked in place.”

NHTSA complaint #11078811, filed 2018-03, 7,000 miles

“Air bag service light goes on when front passenger buckles up, if passenger unbuckles light disappears, it happens while driving, parked, backing up, all speed, all weather conditions, any roads. It looks the seatbelt activate that service light . I bought the car used 11/28/20 and still have dmv warranty 60 days, however stephen automall centre, bristol ct doesn't honor the warranty!”

NHTSA complaint #11390074, filed 2021-01, 21,500 miles

“Involved in a rear end collision. My vehicle rear ended another vehicle and caused front end damage to mine. Received email from instead indicating a critical problem with the air bags and their deployment. The air bags never went off upon impact but smoke came from the side airbags.”

NHTSA complaint #11073327, filed 2018-02, 12,000 miles

“Vehicle was involved in a front end collision. No other passengers besides driver of vehicle was in car. The drivers airbag deployed, but upon exiting the vehicle the passenger seat had caught fire due to a malfunctioning airbag.”

NHTSA complaint #11363156, filed 2020-10, 65,000 miles

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202611%
202434%
202322%
202242%
202144%
202083%
2019114%
2018154%
2017197%
2016123%
2015386%
2014295%
2013253%
2012193%
2011527%
2010577%
20092628%
200811030%
200714621%
2006112%
2005386%

Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Brakes
133 complaints
Engine
86 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
66 complaints
Electrical system
61 complaints
Other or unknown
57 complaints
Fuel system
41 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaints
Body and structure
17 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
16 complaints
Steering
15 complaints
Wheels
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology