[Anduril]

I am thinking about buying a 2018 Equinox: %DEALER_NAME% | Prestonsburg kentucky I have read that this engine has problems involving the turbo. What should I expect from this vehicle? It seems like every vehicle I look at, no matter the make or model, has problems. It's very frustrating.

 

[Crankme69]

Welcome!

There is no problems with the 1.5 motor. I do see a problem with your choice of vehicle cost and miles. Many out there to choose from in that price range with way less miles. JMHO and good luck with your purchase.

 

[Anduril]

Welcome!

There is no problems with the 1.5 motor. I do see a problem with your choice of vehicle cost and miles. Many out there to choose from in that price range with way less miles. JMHO and good luck with your purchase.

Its not my choice believe me. I only have so many options. I have read the turbo can have trouble in lower temperatures? This is all new to me. I don't know what a good offer would be. After all the reviews I've read, I've come to the conclusion that most people can't take care of a vehicle anymore.

 

[Crankme69]

Your conclusion has merit, ours is 19 with the 2.0 a few weird issues but pretty solid. Our daughter has an 18 with 1.5 at 60k no issues and she drives it like it was stolen.

 

[Anduril]

Your conclusion has merit, ours is 19 with the 2.0 a few weird issues but pretty solid. Our daughter has an 18 with 1.5 at 60k no issues and she drives it like it was stolen.

I would hate to buy this and then have things start going wrong with it. I'm trying to learn of any issues common to this year and engine.

 

[arcee]

Its not my choice believe me. I only have so many options. I have read the turbo can have trouble in lower temperatures? This is all new to me. I don't know what a good offer would be. After all the reviews I've read, I've come to the conclusion that most people can't take care of a vehicle anymore.

Based on mileage, service history (only oil changes at quick lubes), and the fact you would be the third owner (the first couple of years it was a rental vehicle), offer the dealer $14,000 but don't pay over $15,500.

Keep in mind that this vehicle has almost 110,000 miles on it. It's nearing the point that it will start requiring even more maintenance, especially if the plan is to put a lot of miles on it. At least try to get an independent pre-purchase inspection.

 

[Anduril]

Based on mileage, service history (only oil changes at quick lubes), and the fact you would be the third owner (the first couple of years it was a rental vehicle), offer the dealer $14,000 but don't pay over $15,500.

Keep in mind that this vehicle has almost 110,000 miles on it. It's nearing the point that it will start requiring even more maintenance, especially if the plan is to put a lot of miles on it. At least try to get an independent pre-purchase inspection.

My Patriot had about 110k on it when I bought it in December 2019. It now has 128k on it. I don't drive them much. I'm looking at the frequent oil changes as a good thing. I know any engine, when it gets over 100k, is going to start requiring maintenance. What are some things that need attention at this mileage?

 

[garagerog]

My Patriot had about 110k on it when I bought it in December 2019. It now has 128k on it. I don't drive them much. I'm looking at the frequent oil changes as a good thing. I know any engine, when it gets over 100k, is going to start requiring maintenance. What are some things that need attention at this mileage?

Transmission, suspension, brakes, wheel hubs are some of the areas of concern any time you get over 100,000 miles, especially if the service history is unknown or suspect. Follow arcee's advice and get an independent mechanic's evaluation, if the seller objects run, don't walk away.

 

[Anduril]

Transmission, suspension, brakes, wheel hubs are some of the areas of concern any time you get over 100,000 miles, especially if the service history is unknown or suspect. Follow arcee's advice and get an independent mechanic's evaluation, if the seller objects run, don't walk away.

Is there a schedule on changing the transmission fluid? Wouldn't stuff like that be good to do if I bought it? Maybe change the spark plugs, etc?

 

[garagerog]

Certainly wouldn't hurt to change the plugs, but don't get fixated on the engine. Other things can get real expensive in a hurry, especially the transmission. If you find no evidence that the transmission has not had prior service, personally I would not purchase this vehicle with that many miles. Other options would be to negotiate a price where you're assuming you'll be paying for a re-manufactured transmission soon or get the seller to pay for an extended warranty.

 

[Anduril]

Certainly wouldn't hurt to change the plugs, but don't get fixated on the engine. Other things can get real expensive in a hurry, especially the transmission. If you find no evidence that the transmission has not had prior service, personally I would not purchase this vehicle with that many miles. Other options would be to negotiate a price where you're assuming you'll be paying for a re-manufactured transmission soon or get the seller to pay for an extended warranty.

If the transmission fluid hasn't been changed, would it be a good idea to do it anyway. The procedure looks pretty straight forward.

 

[NXR71]

You can read through Chevy's bulletins here: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

You can read the complaints filed with the NHTSA by owners here, but be prepared to be entertained by some of them. Others are detailed and seem written by knowledgeable people: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

Recalls are here and a dealer cannot legally sell the vehicle in the USA if all recalls have not been complied with: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

Before you get overly concerned remember that there were around 300,000 Equinox's sold in 2018. Thus a very small number likely had any significant problems: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/01/chevrolet-equinox-sales-numbers-figures-results-q4-2018/

With regard to "turbo" issues there are two I recall. The one dealing with cold weather was due to water freezing in the turbo intercooler located at the bottom of the radiator. For those customers GM developed essentially a "bra" to help keep them warmer. I think the intercooler design was changed in 2019. This is covered in a few of the bulletins.

The other was that a hose from the intercooler to the throttle body could blow off. That's covered by a few of the bulletins.

 

[Urbansuburban]

My red flag with the vehicle is the fact that it is a rental car. Some people have the idea that Rental vehicles are well maintained, they are not. People also drive the excrement out of them. The good thing about the 18 and up with those motors is so far so good with having very little problems. Even the Diesel which has its little foibles is still a great engine. If you can pass this one buy and look at other ones.

 

[Anduril]

You can read through Chevy's bulletins here: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

You can read the complaints filed with the NHTSA by owners here, but be prepared to be entertained by some of them. Others are detailed and seem written by knowledgeable people: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

Recalls are here and a dealer cannot legally sell the vehicle in the USA if all recalls have not been complied with: 2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SUV FWD | NHTSA

Before you get overly concerned remember that there were around 300,000 Equinox's sold in 2018. Thus a very small number likely had any significant problems: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/01/chevrolet-equinox-sales-numbers-figures-results-q4-2018/

With regard to "turbo" issues there are two I recall. The one dealing with cold weather was due to water freezing in the turbo intercooler located at the bottom of the radiator. For those customers GM developed essentially a "bra" to help keep them warmer. I think the intercooler design was changed in 2019. This is covered in a few of the bulletins.

The other was that a hose from the intercooler to the throttle body could blow off. That's covered by a few of the bulletins.

Thank you for the links. I have been looking at many different vehicles and have read many reviews. I've come to the conclusion that I can disregard half of them because people don't know how to take car of a vehicle. Seems like a lot of people ignoring obvious signs and things like that. Good point about the amount sold versus problems.

My red flag with the vehicle is the fact that it is a rental car. Some people have the idea that Rental vehicles are well maintained, they are not. People also drive the excrement out of them. The good thing about the 18 and up with those motors is so far so good with having very little problems. Even the Diesel which has its little foibles is still a great engine. If you can pass this one buy and look at other ones.

%DEALER_NAME% | Prestonsburg kentucky This one only has one owner and around the same mileage.

 

[NXR71]

If you find no evidence that the transmission has not had prior service, personally I would not purchase this vehicle with that many miles.

My 2020 has no scheduled transmission fluid changes in "normal" service. In "severe" service it's every 45,000 miles.

The fact is that for a 2018 Equinox used in normal service, as most likely are, the lack of a transmission fluid change is not an indication of negligence or carelessness. See page 371 and 373 of the 2018 Equinox Owners Manual: https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/chevrolet/2018-equinox.pdf

OK, now this is where people can start posting their thoughts on "normal" versus "severe" service and how they change the transmission fluid three times in a row every 30,000 miles based on some experience they had back in the 1970's. And they've never had a transmission problem. Statements like that are trying to prove a negative: "I did this and the bad thing never happened so it must be because of what I did" while ignoring that the "bad thing" may never have happened without that extra work.

The OP certainly could ask the dealer to see the inspection they performed on the car. If the transmission fluid was not at visually checked they could ask the dealer to do that as part of the sale.

 

[NXR71]

Remember, the emissions warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your area requires an emissions test I'd make darn sure the dealer got a current emissions certificate. You don't want to have to pay for an emissions control repair.

 

[Anduril]

My 2020 has no scheduled transmission fluid changes in "normal" service. In "severe" service it's every 45,000 miles.

The fact is that for a 2018 Equinox used in normal service, as most likely are, the lack of a transmission fluid change is not an indication of negligence or carelessness. See page 371 and 373 of the 2018 Equinox Owners Manual: https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/chevrolet/2018-equinox.pdf

OK, now this is where people can start posting their thoughts on "normal" versus "severe" service and how they change the transmission fluid three times in a row every 30,000 miles based on some experience they had back in the 1970's. And they've never had a transmission problem. Statements like that are trying to prove a negative: "I did this and the bad thing never happened so it must be because of what I did" while ignoring that the "bad thing" may never have happened without that extra work.

The OP certainly could ask the dealer to see the inspection they performed on the car. If the transmission fluid was not at visually checked they could ask the dealer to do that as part of the sale.

So if I can't find out when the transmission fluid was changed, would it be a good idea to change it anyway. Looks like its due around this mileage.

Remember, the emissions warranty is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your area requires an emissions test I'd make darn sure the dealer got a current emissions certificate. You don't want to have to pay for an emissions control repair.

I'm in Kentucky. No emissions inspections.

 

[NXR71]

It won't hurt for sure. The local dealer quoted $270 plus tax last year. I'd tell the dealer you'll take the car, if you want to, if they do a transmission flush for free.

Remember, if you don't ask you don't know if they will. The work is done at their cost, not what they'll charge you. The worst they can do is say "No."

 

[Anduril]

It won't hurt for sure. The local dealer quoted $270 plus tax last year. I'd tell the dealer you'll take the car, if you want to, if they do a transmission flush for free.

Remember, if you don't ask you don't know if they will. The work is done at their cost, not what they'll charge you. The worst they can do is say "No."

I'd rather do it myself. I've watched a couple of videos. Seems pretty straightforward.

 

[jp7794]

Not much to add other than I bought a used 18 a year ago 32K and have put 10K on it with no issues.

No one ever posts that their car is running well so any search on vehicles is going to seem like nothing but problems.


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