2018 Chevrolet Equinox brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

While I was getting off the freeway, my vehicle displayed the “Service Brake Assist” warning. When I attempted to brake, the brake pedal became extremely hard and would not respond normally. The vehicle would not stop normally when I pressed the brake pedal. I was almost involved in a crash because I could not brake as expected. I had to use the emergency parking brake to help bring the vehicle to a stop and avoid a collision. Component/system: The exact failed component is UNKNOWN. Based on the “Service Brake Assist” warning and the extremely hard brake pedal, I am concerned there may be a problem with the brake-assist system, vacuum system/vacuum pump, brake booster, or related components. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: This created a serious safety hazard because I temporarily could not stop the vehicle normally while exiting a freeway. I was almost involved in a crash and had to use the emergency parking brake to help stop the vehicle. Dealer/service confirmation: UNKNOWN at this time. The problem has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: UNKNOWN/No inspection has been performed by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative at this time. Warning/message: The vehicle displayed “Service Brake Assist.” The warning appeared before/during the braking problem. At the same time, the brake pedal became extremely hard and difficult to press normally. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident along with other complaints involving 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles experiencing “Service Brake Assist,” hard brake pedals, loss of brake assistance, and suspected vacuum-pump/brake-assist failures. I am concerned that this may be a safety-related defect that could cause a loss of braking assistance and increase the risk of a crash. I request that NHTSA determine whether further investigation or a safety recall is warranted.

NHTSA complaint #11758826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving at highway speed, the brake pedal suddenly became completely rigid and could not be depressed. The engine continued running normally, there were no warning lights, and I had to coast into a parking lot because I was unable to brake normally. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealership. The dealership diagnosed a failed vacuum brake booster and replaced the brake booster at my expense. After the repair, the exact same safety issue occurred again while I was driving at approximately 25 mph. The engine was running normally, there were again no warning lights, and the brake pedal instantly became rock hard and would not depress. The repair did not resolve the condition, and I no longer believe the vehicle is safe to operate. I am reporting this because the same loss of brake assist occurred before and after the dealership’s repair.

NHTSA complaint #11755192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My granddaughter was driving the vehicle and experienced a catastrophic engine failure while driving down the road. Warning messages and audible sounds began and said to turn off the vehicle immediately. The brakes completely stopped working at that point. She pulled over immediately and called to ask what she should do. She was approximately 1/2 mile from home and she drove approximately 10mph to her driveway, pumping the brakes helped get the vehicle to her driveway. The vehicle was then towed to the dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11754341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake vacuum pump failed to operate as needed and caused the brake pedal to become firm. The message "Service Brake Assist" was displayed. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed and determined to have the brake vacuum pump had disintegrated, and a part had fallen into the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,876.

NHTSA complaint #11753331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake vacuum pump has gone out four times now. While driving the brakes suddenly become hard as a rock to push. Of the four times two of them have been close calls to having a serious collision. This is a known issue with these vehicles so it blows my mind there isn't a recall for this.

NHTSA complaint #11751761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving and the brake vacuum pump failed and the metal shards went up into the engine. The service light went on as they failed and I lost the ability to brake. Yes, we still have the part and the shards that came out of the engine, but there are still pieces in the engine. my safety was at risk and everyone else's on the road because I had no brakes and was driving 45 mph. The vehicle has not been looked at yet by any professional because so far no mechanic will touch it.

NHTSA complaint #11744682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

We purchased our car new. Around 70,000 miles or so the brakes went out and were barely usable. We had it towed to Moses in Charleston and it was apparently an issue with brake booster or vacuum pump. I don’t have the specifics at the moment but they fixed it and we drove it home and it did the same thing again with the brakes going out. Had it towed again back to them and they did something else and it was fixed. Fast forward to today and there are 155000 miles in it and it did the same thing. Clearly this is extremely dangerous! Every time it occurred my husband was driving and was able to handle it. If I was driving, it could be a totally different story. Upon a google search it appears there is a lawsuit in Michigan over this because it is clearly a problem and a dangerous one at that. I will also note that my sister in law also has about the same model equinox and hers did it as well.

NHTSA complaint #11739732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Travelling on a highway with 70 MPH posted speed limit, the vehicle dashboard signaled the check engine light and a variety of warnings that "power reduction measure" was enabled and to "service brake assist." At the next available exit, I was able to exit from the highway and go to a gas station, where upon pulling next to a pump the brake pedal became extremely hard and nonresponsive, resulting in poor braking, nearly striking the car in front of me, even at a very low speed. Upon a quick internet search, it appeared that other vehicles were having the same issue, and it was recommended not to drive, as well as information referring to an ongoing class action lawsuit. A tow was called and brought to the nearest Chevrolet service center (Nels Gunderson Chevrolet), where they confirmed the brake booster vacuum pump failed (exploded) and sent shrapnel into the camshaft, noting that both would need to be replaced, which is the exact same repair that other vehicles similar to this one are having or have had.

NHTSA complaint #11737960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Losing all power to the brakes.

NHTSA complaint #11725163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle does NOT come to a complete stop. It moves forward about an inch after I stop and park. It's being going on since I got the car. I assumed it was normal until I drove another car and it didn't happen.

NHTSA complaint #11723144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake system has failed. “Brake Assist Service” has popped up on screen. Taken to two separate facilities who said this is a KNOWN problem with this vehicle make and model.

NHTSA complaint #11722704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My car has a slow crank and when I am driving down the road it cuts off completely and does not want to crank. I have a signal on my car that says reduced speed and the speed is cut down and drags . My car also smells like gas and there is a leak coming from the vehicle it drains really bad . my brakes goes out every few months . My Car radio goes out like there is a shortage. Its horrible

NHTSA complaint #11713676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor of fuel coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pads were wearing abnormally quickly. The message speed reduced was displayed. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11713323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Driving down a curvey road and my brake pedal was hard without no warning or indication. Almost was hit head on because of this. Looks like the Vacuum Pump Seal failed and I lost all of my engine oil, which caused that to happen.

NHTSA complaint #11708472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle displayed reduced engine power, check engine light, and service brake assist all at the same time. Brake pedal wouldn't move leaving me without brakes. Coasted to stop and shut off car. Brake did not release and now engine won't start. Informed brake vacuum booster pump is problem and ruined motor now.

NHTSA complaint #11702827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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 on, it was for a sensor unrelated to this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11697882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake vacuum pump has went out twice with no warning and has caused my breaks to become instantly extremely stiff.

NHTSA complaint #11694847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with a 1.5L engine. While driving with my children in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden and frightening failure. The engine began malfunctioning, and after inspection, my mechanic and the repair shop confirmed damage to the vacuum pump, broken engine pieces, and issues with the timing chain and camshaft. These issues are identical to those described in an existing recall for this vehicle, but my VIN is not included. The shop even questioned why my mechanic had to replace the vacuum pump, which shows this failure is directly related to the known recall problem. This situation created a very unsafe condition while my kids were in the car. It is unfair and dangerous that my VIN is excluded when the exact same recall defects are present. I am requesting that my vehicle be included in the recall and that NHTSA investigate this defect further, as it poses a serious safety risk for me, my family, and potentially other drivers.

NHTSA complaint #11689098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was exiting the expressway coming up to the back of a semi truck & the brake became hard to push down. Thankfully I was able to stop in time & didn't rear end the truck. It put me & my [XXX] old in danger had I not been able to apply the force needed to push the brake petal down. No dash alerts appeared until at least 10 min after I noticed the issue. I have a mechanic changing the brake booster. The first part we received was faulty & had to be returned. Currently waiting for another brake booster to come in & attempt another repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11683871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My 2018 equinox was running perfectly. Then several warning lights popped up on the dash. I pulled into my daughter's school and didn't have power breaks. Even though brake fluid was full. It wouldn't start back up. A mechanic shop looked at the car and said they thought the timing was off. But couldn't guarantee it. Another mechanic looked at it a few days later and said I needed a new power break pump that the had broken at the camshaft connect. He said the car would need to rebuild the motor or buy a used motor because of the damage. I have heard of several people who have had the same exact issue with the chevy 1.5 turbo motor in many chevy vehicles. There should be a recall as there is never a warning that the vacuum break pump is getting ready to go bad and cause severe engine damage.

NHTSA complaint #11683356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The vehicle calls power module has failed

NHTSA complaint #11683197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the Service Brake Assist warning light illuminated, and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. The contact exited the first available exit and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately 5 years later, the failure reoccurred while driving approximately 70 MPH. The contact was able to get off the nearest exit, then coasted to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the same cause of failure. The vacuum pump was replaced again. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 49,967.

NHTSA complaint #11681590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving on the highway and when I exited and tried to stop at a red light the brakes stopped working. No warning, the brake assist engaged so I barely came to a stop in time before hitting the car in front of me. I can barely use the brake pedal and my check engine light came on with it. Its very hard to press the pedal like its got something stuck under the pedal but there was nothing. The brake assist stays on and basically is the only way the car will stop and still doesn't completely stop.

NHTSA complaint #11678094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The vacuum pump went out on the car while I was on I-70 in a rain storm construction traffic… I absolutely had no brakes they were so hard to push… I was stuck I almost crashed this crappy designed car… The brake light engine light came on.. I barely made it to the side of the highway… Now my engine is messed up cause of some faulty brake pump… What kinda silly design is this… I could have died out there on that highway.. I was on the way to the airport and I missed my flight… GM needs to get their stuff together on this they’re going to kill somebody….

NHTSA complaint #11665550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal seized while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that a gasket had detached and was missing, and there were plastic pieces inside the engine, and there was oil intrusion into other parts of the vehicle and engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was parked at the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11660523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

On or about 2/8-2/13/2025, I was on my way home when suddenly, without warning, I applied my brakes to slow down and the brake pedal was so hard, so stiff that even while I was literally standing on the pedal, I was unable to stop. I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. I was honking , and honking to get the car to move and thank God without another second to waste, he moved over. I could not stop the car, I had to let off the gas and let it coast to a stop. I called a mechanic friend and he towed my car in. My car is not under warranty any more therefore Alan, my mechanic friend went over my car and determined my Vacuum Brake Booster failed. I did do some research along with the mechanic and found that the Chevy Equinox (several yrs, including mine) had a recall for this same exact problem. I ran my VIN and my car is not included in the recall. The mechanic believes my car should be recalled for the brake system being faulty and he installed the new Vac Brake Booster. Now on 4/12/2025, only 2 months later, the same thing happened, my pedal is hard and I can't stop. The first time I felt like I was going to crash, kill myself or somebody else. The 2nd time I had to exit the roadway where there was only dirt, I ended up nearly flipping my car because the dirt caused me to nearly lose control. Again, I escaped causing a crash but at the risk of my own life by not being able to stop and having to leave the roadway to avoid a collision. I had the same mechanic, along with a family member who is experienced enough to understand what the mechanic showed him. It is the vac brake booster, the same part I just replaced, it failed. Without warnings, without any other factors that can explain what is causing this system to fail. I have not replaced this part again because I believe it is faulty by the GM factory and it will keep happening. I am scared it will continue to cause brake failure and I could potentially cause an accident that could be fatal.

NHTSA complaint #11657224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I reported the first incident that happened in Feb 2025 when my brakes failed and nearly crashed due to my Vacuum Brake Booster failing, and I replaced it. Less than 2 months later, 4/28/2025, my breaks failed again, the same thing happened. My break pedal was hard and I was unable to stop my car. This time I had leave the roadway to avoid a collision and nearly lost control of my car. After having the mechanic check it out he told me it is a faulty system that GM/Chevrolet needs to replace or redesign. I have not fixed it because I am not only afraid to drive it anymore for fear of crashing but I don't have the money to just keep replacing a part that is never going to be ok. I am without a car, my job is at risk bc I can't always find a way to work, it has cost me money that if it wasnt faulty I would not have had to shell out the money to repair 2x in 2 months. I need GM to take responsibility before someone is hurt or killed. I need a dependable vehicle like I thought I was getting when I paid cash outright for the vehicle in 2022. The mechanic has also said he thinks it could have damaged my motor. This is a life & death situation that I can't even sale the car without worrying someone else may lose their life. Essentially I was sold a vehicle that is no good, dangerous, and it's due to GMs negligence bc they are aware that the brake booster is faulty and can't be fixed by replacing the faulty part. It is likely to keep causing a brake failure.

NHTSA complaint #11657233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake booster vacuum pump; available upon request. Yes, the brake assist stopped working while driving on the interstate making it unsafe for my vehicle and others. Problem was confirmed by an inspection at Brakes Plus. The warning light came on after the failure, Service Brake Assist.

NHTSA complaint #11655437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact had to firmly depress the brake pedal for the vehicle to respond. The "Service Brake Assist" message was displayed. Additionally, the engine made a clicking sound, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vacuum pump was replaced, but the mechanic discovered metal shavings from the vacuum pump in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA complaint #11651749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Brake System Failure" message was displayed while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact parked the vehicle, and inspected the calipers but found no cause for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.

NHTSA complaint #11642326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.