2018 Chevrolet Equinox: start-stop system problems

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine Auto START/STOP system intermittently failed to restart the vehicle while at a complete stop, requiring the driver to shift to park(P) to manually restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor entering the vehicle from the A/C vents. The message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 10-15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with GM Customer Satisfaction Program: N242489010 (Possible Leak at Fuel Injector Rail Assembly). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the program. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Fuel system · VA

GM Brake Vacuum Pump - I understand there was a recall done a few years ago on this part. This is a known issue with GM, and they seem to refuse to address it in ALL their vehicles. My vehicle went out of service on Friday, July 7, 2023, after fueling and would not start. I was 5 days over the 100-day Carvana warranty, but they agreed to repair the sensor that Firestone said I needed to have replaced along with the spark plugs. After repairing these items, it still was doing the same thing of starting up but making a horrible sound and not turning over. They suggested I have it towed to the dealership. The dealership called 7/12/23 and stated that I needed a new vacuum pump and a sleuth of other parts that would cost me around $1900 in repairs. This car has 61,121 miles on it. When I purchased it, it had a little over 57,000 miles on it. From the sounds of it, I was incredibly lucky this happened where and when it did as oppose to being stopped in the middle of the road and the auto start/stop failing me. There were zero warning lights, alerts from the app, etc. I did hear a noise one time about a month ago, but I thought I kicked up something because I was traveling down a dirt road and when I stopped and got out to look I did not see anything hanging. As soon as I got on the main road the noise resolved.

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Body, Electrical · CO

I purchased my 2018 Chevrolet equinox on July3rd, 2018 with 2 miles on it. Current mileage 67,900 Stop/start system design defect. I have had to have my vehicle battery replaced 4 times in 4 years of ownership. The battery has failed again at 67,900 miles on 12/13/2022 which will be the 5th battery in its lifetime. My dealership said that due to the climate and road conditions where I live my stop/start system has been killing my battery cell every 16,975 miles causing my battery to fail. Chevrolet originally extended my warranty for 6months/ or 60k miles. They said they can no longer extend my warranty and that I’d be responsible for the next battery and future battery’s.

Filed May 30, 2022 · Engine · TN

When backing into my drive way moving the gear from d to r the car will jump. This has made it to where I fear to park where I have to reverse. As well as when I started driving down the road the auto stop start kicked on while doing 30 when the car powered back on in the busy intersection the car was clunking I pulled over asap and took a look under the car to make sure nothing was leaking when started back up it went away. It’s very unsafe to have a car that you can’t disable the auto stop feature from coming on as if the intersection was not a safe place for this to happen

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · MI

at stop signs, when autostop/start re engages the vehicle jerks and shows several warnings on the dash saying service brake assist, parking break released, forward collision reduced. the steering wheel locks up for under 3 seconds before it releases and can be steered again

Filed Mar 28, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

After auto stop/ start system engages messages on dash appear “ service brake assist”, “service steering assist”, “service parking brake”, “service stibilitrac”, Failure at 55,400 miles Dealership found a loss communication error to the muddles due to low battery voltage. Fix: replaced battery at 55,436 miles Battery has been replaced 3 times in 4 years starting at 18, 500 miles, then at 32,562 miles, now at 55,436 miles due to the same issue with the auto stop start operation. Car is out of warranty as of 58,300 miles or October 2022

Filed Jan 14, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

When I lift my foot off brake the car Stop/Start feature engage causing lurching jerks forward or roll backwardson hill I fear the roll back on inclines praying vehicles are to close behind and rolling backwards into another vehicle, censors lights take turns coming on each time I lift my foot off the brake pedal. All of the following, service brake assist, service stabilittrak, park brake released, service hill start assist action not working, car locks unlock and relock by themselves. I have had these issues since. These issues have been occurring since around 16,000 miles and keep getting worst everyday. GM claim not to have a fix for these issues. They offered a few thousand to buy back the vehicle claiming drastic depreciation for milage and wear. At that time owed over $25,000 balance for the vehicle. No one stood to benefit but the lemon law attorneys.They did not consider the milage when these issues started and this is my only source of transportation to use which I told the lemon law attorneys. The lemon law attorneys were going to charge their fee from me if GM refused to pay their fees. I told them I felt in my best interest I should wait for GM's recall for this vehicle as I'm sure I wasn't the only consumer that was having these same issues. My problem is my vehicle is becoming dangerous to drive due to the rolling back and, jerking of the steering wheel, engine cutting off, locks unlocking and relocking and unstable steering. These issues were hit and miss now happens every time I drive which is daily. These issues started 2020. Last correspondence with GM they still claim they did not know how to fix these issues. I question why they are making vehicles and are not able to fix these issues. I have given my family a list of these issues because they create a safety hazard and in case I, a passenger or someone in another vehicle is injured or killed due to GM's negligence, lack of concern and greed.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · TX

When accelerating it will create a hard shift or not fully engage into 2nd or 3rd gear. Also, when auto stop/start engages it jolts the car when stopped.