While driving on a county highway, the service brake assist light appeared. Upon braking, brakes were extremely hard (like pushing on a brick) to stop. After attempting to brake several times and finally getting stopped, I turned off the vehicle. Upon attempting to restart, car failed to start. Towed from holstein Iowa to milford, Iowa late on a Friday. Next morning, dealer in spirit lake Iowa was contacted. A 2nd tow to the dealer happened on Saturday. Dealer briefly looked at it and stated it was a camshaft actuator or sensor and they would get to it after the holiday weekend. The gave me a rental to get home (5 hrs South) however, I am still paying on a uhaul trailer rental as the rental van did not have towing capabilities. Tow 1 was $250 and tow 2 was $125. Rental is $50 per day. Parts/labor is expected to be a little over $2200 plus the van rental, plus the uhaul trailer extra days rental, plus the gas to go back and get the vehicle and bring it home with the uhaul trailer. Dealer was advised by me to look at the vacuum pump on tue a.M. tue P.M. dealer called back. Verified vacuum pump issue and stated it was defective and that it disintegrated. It was also sitting on the front dual overhead exhaust and that was attached to the camshaft exhaust. Both of those broke away as well. Need to replace those and the timing chain with an oil change to ensure no metal remains in the engine. GM/Chevy should be fixing this at no cost plus paying for the towing charges, extra rentals, and gas. Not having brakes is a major safety issue and putting my life, my family's life and the life of people on the road around us is not what I consider a good product. Photos from the dealer will be asked for, especially the vacuum pump. I will promptly forward bills as soon as they arrive.

- Manley, NE, USA

10/2019 - while driving on highway, coming into a construction zone, I went to slow down. When I pushed my brakes to slow down, they were very hard and was unable to push them down. Ended up having to drive off the side of the road to avoid collision. Vaccum pump failed which caused a failure in my brake assist system. It was fixed under warranty. 9/2020 - driving on the highway and went to slow down when the same thing happened again and I was unable to slow down. Again had to drive off the side of the road to avoid collision. This time when the vacuum pump failed, it broke a gear causing metal pieces to be sucked in the engine and now my engine is needing replaced. This is a common problem with this car based on the research I have done but my VIN is not included in recall. I feel this is very dangerous to happen twice in less than a year while traveling high speeds and being unable to stop. I have 2 young children that I no longer feel safe putting in this vehicle

- Blanchard, OK, USA

Driving down the road the car started to smoke under the hood area and all I could smell was burned plastic. Pulled over and got out. Not even a minute later the car burst into flames.

- St. Johnsbury, VT, USA

When I need to accelerate to pass a vehicle or speed up from a off or on ramp, engine light, ABS light, check ESC light, all come on and cruise control is not able to be used. Engine has to be shut down. Transmission is slipping as well.

- Trufant, MI, USA

My car literally died out. All of a sudden the rpms went up high and it started to sputter. At one point had to push foot all the way down on gas peddle

- Pendleton, NY, USA

Took car to dealer for routine oil change and service, I reported to them a very frequent problem with car hesitating to accelerate andjerks at speed between 40 and 50 mph also passsenger can feel this riding in the back seat. Took to dealer they said nothing showed on computer but GM has software issue. For the price of cars feel that this is not acceptable performance to have to drive an otherwise nice car I notices several other similar complaint on this website

- North Vernon, IN, USA

The vehicle hesitates and at times does not accelerate when the accelerator is depressed, primarily noted in cold weather conditions. Hesitations have occurred on several occasions but there have been two occasions when attempting to merge into oncoming traffic, the vehicle did not respond to accelerator input, once occurring from a stationary position and one time occurring when driving approximately 30 miles per hour with both incidents occurring on city streets with a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership on several occasions and the defect apparently is with the charge air cooler.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

When coming to a stop engine constantly shuts off

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped the fuel saving system activated and shut the engine off but when the driver lifted off the brake pedal the vehicle failed to resume operation as designed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer camino real Chevrolet (2401 S. atlantic blvd, monterey park ca.) who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

I was driving down the highway and I got an error saying engine power reduced, and my engine cut out, and then right after, I got an error saying brake assist on, and my brakes felt like a brick when I tried to push them. I made it to the emergency lane on the hwy, and pushed my brakes really hard and then put the parking brake on. After getting it towed to the closest dealership, the service advisor told me this is a known issue with Equinoxs with my engine type, where the vacuum pump goes out, and then the gear running it brakes, and then the metal from that gear got sucked up into my engine. That vacuum pump connects to both my brakes and my engine, which is why I lost both at the same time with no prior warnings or any indication anything could be wrong before it happened. My engine is now completely blown with no warning. It's a known issue with the factory part, and they assured me it had nothing to do with maintenance or anything, some of the vacuum pumps they used are just bad. There are no open recalls on my VIN. This could have been very bad. I lost my brakes and my engine going highway speeds on a bridge. I was just lucky enough to be able to make it to the emergency lane and stop without getting hit or hitting anyone else.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Just finshed my second year into my 3 year 2018 Chevy Equinox lease and for the last month or so the service brake assist has appeared and dissapeared dozens of times when starting the vehicle and while driving as well as the check engine light has come on and off for the last few weeks. Orginally mad an appointment but the dealer ship canclled it and then my car suddenly had reduced power the died in the middle of the road as I was driving on the road. Not a highway. Got it towed to the dealer and the say a vacum pump seized? now are saying there is metal in the engine amd they dont know why. Trying to get me to pay for cost. Have taken car of vehchile and done the required matinence. This should not be happening on a 2 year old car with on 32000 miles. Very concerned there is something defected with the car. As numerous vehicles have been recalled for similar issues to mine by GM.

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While at a stop light, the brake pedal was applied and the engine shut off. Additionally, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle hesitated to restart and the auto stop warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kocourek Chevrolet (1500 morning glory ln, wausau, wi 54401, (715) 359-7200) where it was determined that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 15,400.

- Stratford, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving, the vehicle stalled and the stabilitrak warning indicator illuminated. Also, the cruise control failed. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was driven to the contact's residence. The contact called jeff perry Buick GMC (located at 1421 37th St, peru, il 61354, (815) 410-4168) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

- Hollowayville, IL, USA

Oil leak noted on ground after being driven. Started out being small drops but gradually worsened. Dealership stated "weld around oil pan was not properly sealed"

- Plantersville, TX, USA

The auto stop is annoying and I feel dangerous. There is a hesitation and a lurch when pulling out in traffic. I never would have bought this if I knew it. Never again will I buy anything like this.

- Bridgeville, PA, USA

While driving at constant speed and RPM oil pressure goes from 30psi to 70psi. It doesn't seem like high oil pressure is as big a problem as low pressure. My other cars do not do this as oil pressure goes up with RPM so I asked mcdaniels service technician and service manager if this was normal. Technician said he couldn't repeat it but it does it all the time. I asked if this was normal and they both weren't sure. In October the service manager said he would check and get back with me but as of Jan 30, 2019 I have no response. I have called a few times but no call back. I called GM customer care and corporate office. They said they would follow up but when I called back in January they just said I have to take it to the dealer again. Actuallay I'm not sure this is normal or not on the 1.5T Equinox. It may be normal, maybe GM has a variable pressure pump to add pressure for variable valve timing. The problem is the technicians, service manager and customer care have not been able to tell me this. They should know or be able to get an answer for their customers on technical questions. Cars are more technical today and the technicians and customer support should be more technical to address these issues. Regardless they should be able to answer customers questions in a timely manor and tell customers if they have a problem or not. Three months is too long to wait for answer, it seems as though any issue is stalled or delayed to try to wait untill the customer gives up or the warranty expires. I'm glad this is just a minor isssue -I hope.

- Richwood, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. When the air conditioning was being operated, white shiny debris came out of the air vents inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to bommarito Chevrolet South (6127 S lindbergh blvd, St. Louis, mo 63123, (314) 487-9800) where the contact was informed that the debris could be from the outside environment. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the white flakes were tested by a company called analytics corporation who informed the contact that the white flakes was combined with different metals, which were considered hazardous. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,500. Consumer stated the dealership took the 2015 Equinox and traded it in for 2018 Equinox but consumer had the same problem with the new vehicle possible toxins.

- Affton, MO, USA

At certain times there is a slight surge. It occurs most often after the vehicle has been in a stopped mode. When the foot is removed from the brake, but before the accelator pedal is touched, there is a slight surge which is not normal or safe. Occasionally, it also occurs while the vehicle is in the highest gear.

- The Viillages, FL, USA

Vehicle shut off and instantly started again simultaneously while vehicle was stopped at a drive through at a restaurant.

- Glen Rose, TX, USA

Less then 10,000 miles in the car and the check engine light has come on. There had not been an issue with it at all until today when I started my car after work.

- Portage, MI, USA