9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,190
Average Mileage:
87,550 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (15 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. the dealer is replacing the engine due to mfg error (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #23

Jun 142021

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

I bought this car Oct 30, 2017. I was informed that the engine had been replaced because the last one blew up. Well, two months later the transmission went out costing me $3500. Three months after that, the car is back in shop for ignition problems. $800 to get that fixed. 4 months later the transmission is out again. Fixed that for another $3500. Now my engine has blown again. Anyone reading this, here's something I've learned, when an engine or transmission is replaced you have to have them flashed to each other. This costs about $100. Had I had known this from the start, I could have saved a lot of money .

- Tammy N., Fort Payne, AL, US

problem #22

Oct 012019

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles

We had to replace one engine and now the replacement engine is doing the same s*** the other engine did. Excessive oil consumption and timing chain went out and they found metal shavings in the engine. Now they want use to pay to take apart the engine before they will decide if they will cover it. We were told when we bought the car that we had to have the extra coverage because the bank required it. Not true. Now they don't want to cover repairs, we were told it would be covered. We don't have public transportation to use. My poor husband has to get a ride from a guy he works with. I have been diagnosed with cornice kidney disease and have had to miss doctor appointments because the only car we have can't be driven and we can't afford to get the engine torn apart.

- hartleynancy15nh, Wayland, US

problem #21

Oct 012018

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 193,086 miles

We were told we had to have extra coverage when we bought the car and that it would cover all the big repairs that might come along the way. They replaced the engine but would only do it with a used one. Now that engine is doing the same thing and we haven't had for six months. It's the only car we have. My poor husband has to get a ride to work from a friend. We live in a small town so we don't have public transportation. Now they won't do anything to help us and we don't have the money to fix it. I have been having a lot of health problems and can't work. We will never buy a Chevy again. We have always bought used cars and have never had as many issues as we have had with this car. We will never buy from Berger Chevy again.

- hartleynancy15nh, Wayland, US

problem #20

Jun 142018

Equinox LTZ 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Do not ever buy a Chevy Equinox not reliable a waste of your time and your money.

- Blan L., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #19

May 302019

Equinox LT2 3.0L Lf1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,000 miles

The engine suddenly lost power when passing someone. You can hear the pistons smacking the valves and there is a ton of silver slurry in the oil. Timing chain either slipped or stretched and cause engine failure.

- Christopher H., Haysville, KS, US

problem #18

Nov 032018

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,000 miles

I'm driving home on a 4 lane highway at night, by myself, and all of a sudden I have loss of power, and the engine starts clattering. I limped to the next exit, and that is where the car died. It was towed to the nearest town, and then my husband picked it up with a trailer and took it to the mechanic. The engine was toast - it blew a rod, and would take $6000 - $7000 to replace the engine! There were NO warning lights! I had been monitoring the oil level because I knew I was getting close to an oil change. Even after this, when we started it to move it on and off the trailer, the oil light did not stay on! I have had all recalls taken care of, and as we had 100,000 mile warranty, I had it totally gone through before that expired. AGAIN - NO WARNING!

- Tammy F., Parkersburg, IA, US

problem #17

Mar 102014

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This vehicle was absolute horrible. Worst engine ever built. It began knocking after about year and a half. Took it to the dealer several times because of the knocking and they gave me the song and dance for a couple years. I told them several times that engine was defective. They would change the coils and do other things seemingly just to get it to a point where the warranty would expire. I mean as soon as the warranty expired I took it in for the same problem then they said they engine was gone. The car was only four years old. They provided the maintenance so they new it was getting worked on.

I bit the bullet and paid over $4,000 to fix the engine and six months later it started doing the same thing. I traded in and go a Ford. Called several times and compliant but no one seem to care was absolutely horrible experience. I brought it to the service departments attention that I had told them that engine was gone prior to the warranty expiring on several occasion end they new I had but nothing was ever re cupped.

- Timothy T., Demopolis, US

problem #16

Feb 292016

Equinox 1LT FWD 2.4L 4-cyl, Dohc Sidi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles

Engine never did run properly, but was told on several occasions by dealer it checked out ok.

Dealer description of engine failure:

FOUND TIMING CHAINS STRETCHED AND GUIDES BROKEN. ENGINE JUMPED TIME BENDING VALUES AND BREAKING ROCKER ARMS. REPLACED ENGINE AND TRANSFERRED NECESSARY PARTS.

Total bill was $4547.41. I called manufacturer several times and the only relief offered was a $2000.00 credit towards the purchase of new car. Dealer went to bat for me and got $1950.00 from manufacturer.

- wattgolf, St. Louis, MO, US

problem #15

Jun 282017

Equinox LTZ 2.4L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

So, Wednesday I came out of the grocery store at 9 at night, and the car won't start. I have it towed home, and the next morning I have it towed to the local mechanic who says it needs a whole new engine in the ballpark of $5,000. ((heart attack)) I just bought this car in November. Sure it was used with 127,000 miles on it, but it should still have some good years left. There are Equinoxes everywhere, seems to be popular and common. As I have been doing research online over the past couple of days, I have found that it and other models that have the Ecotec engine are known to have timing chain misalignment issues, to the point that the timing chain shreds stuff in it's path, getting debris and broken parts into the engine, KILLING it. Chevrolet customer service says there is nothing that they can offer toward repairs since it was not bought "certified" at a GM dealership. There are so many complaints online that I wish I had seen before I bought this car. Everyone is closed the 4th of July, so I have to wait patiently to find out what happens next. The dealer who sold me the car asked me to have it towed to their mechanic on Friday. So it will sit until Wednesday to get the second opinion and possibly higher estimate for repairs. Maybe the dealer where I bought it will help with the costs. I'm really upset and want everyone else that has an Ecotec engine to know that it could potentially happen to them.

- jleonardmi, Holly, MI, US

problem #14

Jan 012018

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,041 miles

There is a TSB (tech service bulletin) covering rear main engine seal failure if driven in very cold temps. Vehicle was being driven on highway during single digit temps & lost all it's oil. Vehicle pulled over as soon as safely possible when warning lights came on. About 1 minute, It was too late, internal engine damage. Called Chevrolet and they would not do anything for me, no help at all!

- garyjanet1, Fair Lawn, US

problem #13

May 302017

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,674 miles

Blown #2 cylinder, car has less than 100k miles, GM mechanic says these engines are nothing but trouble. Chevy associate was no help, apparently they have no faith in their vehicles. Wish I'd went with a different make. At least I can cross Chevrolet off my list for my next purchase.

- sv2105, Frostburg, US

problem #12

Sep 162015

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Have been trying to get the problem fixed since 47000 miles. Had 3 major repairs in about 5000-8000 miles, all at the dealership. Two of these repairs in the past 4 months, we paid 70% when we were told at GM headquarters we were responsible for 40%. Now asked to pay 70% which will be $2600-$2800 for an engine replacement.

- Curtis D., Dunnegan, MO, US

problem #11

Jun 052015

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

Problems with vehicle from the beginning. Now timing jumped 3 "cogs" and won't start. Towed to dealership.. Minimum $3900 to pull engine apart to determine what has been damaged and then additional to fix what they "find". 77K miles but 5 year warranty expired (of course !! ) Jan 2015. Multiple complaints but Chevy won't admit poor engine design. Will never buy another GM product. We bail them out just so they can screw the customer with an inferior product. I am in a service industry an everyone I come in contact with hears my story...attorney is involved with this... We will see.

- wme527, San Francisco, CA, US

problem #10

May 092012

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,201 miles

Ok, where do I start? This Equinox has been having troubles for longer than I can remember. First off, is the oil consumption issue? I noticed it was burning loads of oil at around 25,000 miles. I have had this thing to every dealer possible, with no luck. It broke down on the highway with my children in the car, and I had to get help to push this off the highway before I was in an accident. The fuel pump was the first thing they luckily fixed. They gave me a free oil change to go along with it (because it was probably bone dry). 1500 miles later it was back to its horrible self. Chattering when accelerating, hesitating when accelerating, pinging when at idle, struggling up small hills, shifting hard, clanking and jumping when putting into gear, and horrible gas mileage to boot.

I took it back to another dealer, because first dealer(Devy Chevrolet in Freeport PA) said oil consumption is normal, and lied about the level it was at ( I had checked and it was mot showing on dipstick for the 2nd oil change in a row). The people at this dealership, (Nick Chevrolet Tarentum PA) said I would have to start an oil consumption test. Wow, this is where it gets ruff. I told them of all the issues I was having, and the car breaking down on the highway, and they replaced the fuel pump and timing chain, and some random recalls. They also gave me a free oil change as a "bonus", after I have told them about it burning oil. I also had stated that they were replacing these engines, and more recently Chevy was only replacing rings under warranty (to save money on these thousands of equinox's they would have to recall). They basically didn’t want to hear it and kept changing the subject, and saying that I need brake pads and rotors replaced (which I later took to a small repair shop later and they said I would be good for 20,000 more miles, and rotors were fine). I drove the car and for 1000 miles it was running smooth, like it should be. But wait, problems came back, and seemed to be louder. I took it back to Nick Chevrolet and I paid for a "Certified Chevy Oil Change" and started an oil consumption test.

I drove 500 miles and took it back to Nick Chevrolet, they said it had only lost about 1/3 of a quart and a quart every 1000 miles (a lie, its 1 quart every 2000 miles) is perfectly normal and fine. They said to come back in 1000 miles to check again. Waiting for the car to break down, I drove the car, trying to avoid taking my children anywhere because I was scared to break down again with them in it. When I returned, NO oil was on dipstick again (big surprise). I asked if they could replace engine under warranty, or at least the rings. The service manager basically laughed at me and said "Good luck with Chevy". Wow, so that’s it? Yes, you will have to call Chevy and see if this is covered under warranty. I asked them for a printout of all service on this vehicle. We usually charge $5.00 a page for these (with laughter in the background from another employee). What? Are you serious? I basically said I'm not leaving until you print these for me. Reluctantly, after basically begging, they finally did.

This is where things get so much better. I called Chevy to see what the deal was. After on hold, wait time automated systems, and promised return calls about the issue from a "specialist" for about a week, I finally got a call back. "We will have to contact the dealer, and see what info the oil consumption test provided”. After waiting for about another week I got a call back from GMC. They said that they contacted Nick Chevrolet and they said that I never completed the oil consumption test. What? I was totally floored. I can not type the emotions and thoughts that were going thorough my head. I almost could not respond to what was just told to me. I explained that I had the paper work for the oil consumption test. I had to fax all this paperwork over to Chevy, so they could verify. Then after about 10 days of calling Chevy, they would say that a specialist would be getting ahold of me on "tomorrow at 5:00 pm". OK, I waited and the call never came. I called again and told them I never got a call. They said a specialist will be calling you "today at 1:30 PM...Call never came. Finally after loosing hair, and days more of waiting, I got ahold of a specialist after stating that I would bot hang up until I did, they connected me. "Sir, there is nothing GMC can do because the dealer stated that you did not complete the oil consumption test".

I contacted an attorney and tried this route. After 2 months of them battling with GMC, and me topping off my oil and dealing with on going problems, I was offered a $1600.00 settlement or possibly waiting in court for up to 2 years. I took the $1600.00 settlement, for breach of warranty claim, which has not been received yet. The lawyer took 1900. Now I’m thinking, should get rid of this car? How could I pawn this off on someone else without telling them (karma) and selling it for next to nothing because of the extensive problems? Should I try and trade in and use the $1600.00 toward a down payment. All of this made me so upset. I do not have the money for another car payment right now. My Equinox only has 52000 on it, and I wish I could see the day it hit 150,000, before thinking about all of this.

Because the warranty is still valid till Sept 26th, I decided to yet try another dealer for oil consumption test and see if they would be any better and work with me. At first, Tom Henry Chevrolet Gibsonia PA seemed to really care about the problem and was quick to take my $40.00 for an oil change and start the consumption test. After doing this and getting it home, I checked oil level. It appeared to be about a quart overfilled! Here we go again! I took the vehicle back to Tom Henry after 600 miles, they said to have a seat in the waiting room and could we have your keys. No thanks, you can just check it here in front of me. They checked the Oil, then Ed, told me it looks like your 1/3 of a quart low. "That's because it was overfilled in the first place" He told me that he would not deal with me on this issue if I continued to say things like that. They topped the oil off, and I was sure to check to see where the oil was on dipstick and take pictures. Ed said come back in 1000 miles to check again. He also stated that after a "New Test the have conducted" it’s normal for this car to burn1 quart every 750 miles. WAIT A MINUTE! Chevrolet said that 1 quart every 2000 miles is acceptable, and their standard for doing warranty work. I have about 100 miles to go until I can take back to check the oil level, and the oil is not showing on dipstick. I called Tom Henry they said that I should wait till 1000 miles or over and bring back in and they will check level again, and add oil. Then I would have to repeat this 2 or 3 more times. All this was explained to me again, even after I had said how it broke down with my children, and all the ongoing problems. Wow! My mind is finally spinning.

So I am waiting to take to Equinox back in in another 100 miles to get the oil level checked, and topped off, so I can drive this thing around for another 1000 miles and wonder when it will blow up. Furthermore, the warranty is up on Sept 26th. Ed told me that they could put "A Hold" on the car and if they find that it is burning enough oil they could then do work out of warranty, because I came in before it was up. Wait, the same guy who lied to me to my face and said 1 quart for 750 miles. If by some chance they do the replacement rings, that does not fix all the other problems that this oil consumption issue is causing.

I feel exhausted, mad, and tricked. I wish Chevrolet would of just replaced this engine 2 years ago (which I hear didn’t fix the problem either). Now, I’m waiting to go back to Tom Henry for them to check oil and top off, and then tell me to return in 1000 miles to check again. Maybe they rings will get fixed and that would remedy this 1 problem that this Equinox is having, and I could trade in and use the $1600.00 settlement toward that? Who knows? I also, could not accept the offer, call attorney back and re open the case in hopes of this load of crap, doesn't break down again and kill my family or me. There is also the option of trying to sell it out right and buy a new car, but I can't bring myself to pawn this car off on anyone else, including my worst enemy.

I feel exhausted, but will not give up! GMC in some way needs to be held responsible for the 2010 Chevy Equinox.

- shameonyougm, Natrona Heights, PA, US

problem #9

Jun 062014

Equinox LTX 4c

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

The car stalled several times, then died on an express way. Almost was involved in an accident, but was able to avoid traffic.

After the 4c engine was replaced, the "Change Oil Soon" message appeared in less than 100 miles.

The old and new engine sounds worst than my grass cutter engine.

- Robert M., Orland Park, IL, US

problem #8

Apr 152013

Equinox LX 4.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,726 miles

In order to get the dealership to replace the engine I had to contact corporate consumer complaint. I was told by a dealer rep that it was acceptable to lose up to 2 or 3 quarts every 1000 miles. I was told that I should be checking and adding oil on a regular basis.

- Andrew G., Nederland, TX, US

problem #7

Jan 082014

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

The engine completely died on the expressway in the middle of the polar vortex in January. Got car towed to dealer. For some reason the timing chain broke and caused a total failure. Very lucky that I took it to a good dealer as they repaired under a recall warranty.

Update from Jul 15, 2014: I had the mileage wrong on this one. It was 68,123. They replaced the a blown seal, the timing chain, and actuators.

- Erica S., Villa Park, IL, US

problem #6

Dec 142013

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,519 miles

I am serving in the United States Army in Italy and we shipped the Equinox over here. Had the oil changed at the end of October and had less than 2000 miles on it after the oil change. My wife took the car out Saturday night and was back home within 2 minutes of leaving the house. She returned home and was frantic and told me the car was making all kinds of crazy noise. I went out to look at the car and there was a huge puddle of oil underneath it. I looked underneath the car and found a fist sized hole in the oil pan (something had come out of the engine through the oil pan).

My wife told me that just prior to the car making all kinds of clattering noises the engine revved out of control then the loud clattering began, then the oil light came on. Sunday morning I walked along the road where this occurred trying to find some clue as to what may have come out of the engine but I couldn't find anything. The Equinox currently has 47,519 miles, we are in the process of trying to find a Chevy Dealer in Vicenza. I plan on updating this post and I would be curious to know if anyone else has experienced this problem.

- Kurt R., Vicenza, Padova, Italy

problem #5

Jan 022014

Equinox LX 2.6L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120 miles

i just got my car 5 months ago and i have had sooo many problems with my car. with the engine it got to the point were my car wouldn't turn on anymore. its causing me so much money to fix it. i don't know what to do.

- Kathya R., El Monte, CA, US

problem #4

Jun 122012

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

This is the worst vehicle I've ever owned, from the day we bought it we've had nothing problems with it. As for the Chevy service department Muzi Chevy, Needham, MA they suck. I brought my vehicle to them (Muzi Chevy, Needham, MA) because there was a rattling noise coming from somewhere beneath the vehicle. I left the vehicle with them to see what was going on and asked them to call me later in the afternoon. They never called so I had to chase them down to find out what exactly was the issue with my vehicle only to be told that the technician I was working with left for the day and they had no record of what was done or to be done with my vehicle. They said they would need to keep it for another day. I explained that I need a vehicle to get my kids to school and I get to work. I had to request that they provide me with a rental to accommodate this inconvenience. The next day same thing I had to chase them down to get an update on my vehicle only to be told that in order to fix the rattling noise the engine needed to be replaced. I was shocked a brand new vehicle with only 19,000 needing a new engine. After a week of inconvenience and fighting with Chevy to get an extended warranty on this new replacement engine, I finally got back my vehicle. However, 3 days later the same rattling noise was back. So long story short the engine was replaced to correct a rattling noise that it never did and the Chevy Service dept of Muzi Chevy, Needham Ma sucks.

- carmelk, Boston, MA, US

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