8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,370
Average Mileage:
76,550 miles
Total Complaints:
93 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (45 reports)
  2. replace engine (24 reports)
  3. engine rebuild (12 reports)
  4. repair/replace rings (7 reports)
  5. replace catalytic converter (2 reports)
  6. replace timing chain (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #53

Apr 222016

Equinox LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Took the car in at 3800 miles, it was making a lot of noise. No 'idiot' lights came on or anything. Mechanic said engine will make that kind of noise when there is no oil in the engine. Got the Oil change- How can 3800 miles burn all the oil. Took it back for a check at 967 miles, needed another quart. Just took in again at 1016 and needed another quart.

- Dorothy S., Pennsauken, NJ, US

problem #52

Nov 172015

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Surprised that a vehicle purchased for the fuel economy consumed so much oil. Getting it changed/checked every 10 days - 2 weeks

- audnj, High Bridge, NJ, US

problem #51

Sep 162015

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

It started to happen at about 75000 miles, GM had extended the warranty to 10yr /100,000 miles but would not replace the engine. The dealership would keep a log of the oil use. In the summer months it used a quart every 2k miles, in the winter months it only had a quart left after 2k miles. They talked me into some minor repairs that might fix it, but it never did. When it hit 100,000 miles, we traded it in on a different vehicle, problem solved!

- joeyspcs, Wadena, MN, US

problem #50

Apr 012016

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,232 miles

It started with an oil consumption recall, which I had to bring my car back every 1000 miles for 4000. As someone who works, this can be tough. If you miss going at exactly 1000 and don't get the car back to the dealership until 1200, you have to start over again........ F THIS...

So, from this delay-with something that just should be fixed,, since it is a recall- My catalytic converter went.. I was told one had nothing to do with the other, I call BS. All work together and the over heating and burning of oil had to have played into this issue. Under 100, 000 miles and they want me to spend 2100 for it on my pre-owned Equinox. No thanks and I will never purchase another Chevy..

- Douglas W., Turnersville, NJ, US

problem #49

Apr 202016

Equinox LTZ V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

In January I had to have the engine replaced due to the timing chain being stressed. But ever since I bought this car (March 2014) it's been burning through oil, I get an oil change every 3,000 miles, but beforehand I have to add 1 to 2 quarts because it's low. Now this Jan 31, 2016 after I replaced the engine the check engine light kept coming on and driving very rough and loud. I brought to Gengras Chevy in East Hartford CT on March 21, 2016 because it was driving rough and loud and kept stalling, they said it was low on oil and that’s why it was doing that, I paid $168.23 for the diagnostics and an oil change (and that is with a discount they gave me because they broke the latch to my center armrest last time it was in the shop). Then 1 month later it is doing the same thing but more frequently, it cut off on me 10 times while driving home in rush hour traffic. I brought it directly to the dealer on April 20, 2016 and today (4/22) they said they have to replace the cylinder pistons and rings (but it's covered under some special factory warranty that’s up to 120,000 miles), and that due to that the cam shaft actuators need to be replaced and they need to do something to the timing chain but that isn't covered by warranty and will cost me $480.

- Tonya V., East Hartford, CT, US

problem #48

Mar 012016

Equinox 4 CYL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

My retired mother who is 74 bought a 2010 chevy equinox thinking it would last her for at least 10 years or 125,000 miles or so. At 50,000 miles the vehicle, after being serviced regular, is using at least 3 qts of oil between changes. You shouldnt even have to check the oil between changes, you dont have to on import brands. This is completely unacceptable and GM should defend their reputation by replacing this lemon with an equal valued known good vehicle. At this point I would not recommend any GM vehicle over Imports.

- Travis K., Hope, AR, US

problem #47

Nov 012015

Equinox 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

As others have reported I am using a quart of oil every 2,000. Car is running rough, especially when in park. Sounds like the car wants to stall. When I turn the car off it still runs for a few seconds. Other wise I love the car. I have contacted Chevy customer service department. I am curious as to what they are going to do if anything.

- Carla J., Ferndale, MI, US

problem #46

Jun 012015

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

So after Chevy sent out warning that the vehicle may have issues with oil consumption. It was always low on oil even a week or two after I had it changed, I would need to be topped off due to it being low. I don't drive around with quarts of oil to keep it filled nor should I have to. After then engine failed due to operation on low lubrication. I had to have it replaced and my extended warranty company covered a small amount I paid $5,700 for my engine to be replaced. NOW 2 months after my oil stick was bone dry. I can accept oil change time but not empty AGAIN!!!.

- Christopher H., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #45

May 152015

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,768 miles

Car has less than 65000km and to do a ring job you kidding me.

- Mauro H., Surrey, BC, Canada

problem #44

Oct 052012

Equinox LT2 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Engine was chugging terrible, dealer replaced the motor no questions asked. Please see my next complaint for the real issue. Engine went bad again at 100k miles, told us the warranty is out. Turns out their fuel pumps were destroying engines, but they don't care. They said we have to pay for our new engine, more engines than tires at this point. Avoid this thing like the plague.

- Jon F., Manchester, NH, US

problem #43

Jan 152016

Equinox LT2 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Had the engine replaced at 42k miles, no problem, covered under warranty for excessive oil consumption. Unfortunately the new motor was just as terrible as the first, now at 100k miles it's junk and they claim we are on the hook. They said our warranty is up. GM knew about a fuel pump issue, but never fixed it and never did a recall, this ruined our second engine. I was a big time GM guy and unless they fix this I will not only never buy a car from them again, I'll be telling everyone I can to stay away from them, how terrible! Things like this destroy people's lives, I don't have money to replace engines because GM can't stand behind their product.

- Jon F., Manchester, NH, US

problem #42

Aug 012013

Equinox LTZ 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

The issue of the oil leakage has been going on for a number of years, with the response from GM Chevy garage, "base on the maintenance manual" you will lost about 1 quart of oil in-between oil changes. That is all good except it is more like 2-3 quarts in my situation. I am just tired of paying for additional oil every oil change for the past 2 years to only hear it is in the acceptable range. They are not interested in rebuilding or replacing the engine which is what needs to happen. This has been documented at the dealership with no results. Help!

- Fred M., Springfield, OH, US

problem #41

Jun 012010

Equinox LT1 2.7L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

Bought my 2010 Equinox new. Really like the car, except for the oil consumption problem. Engine used a quart of oil each 1,000 miles. I put up with it for several years. Then, at 50,000 miles, I took it to Bridgewater Chevrolet. Oil consumption test showed excessive oil consumption. Dealer replaced the pistons and rings under warranty. That was 1,000 miles ago. Engine shows no sign of excessive oil consumption now. Should have done this 5 years ago, but I had heard that GM was resistant to making needed repairs when the problem was first being discovered. Now, I assume, with a mountain of evidence and complaints, GM is doing the right thing and repairing engines under warranty. If you own this car and have an oil problem, don't wait. Take it to the dealer for test and repair. The dealers have a bulletin from GM about the issue, so they are expecting to hear from you.

- zoombag5, Morristown, NJ, US

problem #40

Sep 152009

Equinox LT 2.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7 miles

Amazingly, after several trips to Len Stoler for an oil consumption test. they said that it never used more then a quart of oil per thousand. I decided to check their honesty. I drained and oil and made sure it was 1.5 quarts low. Amazingly according to Len Stoler, it didn't use more then a quart. That's when I stopped taking it for the oil consumption test.

- John H., Finksburg, MD, US

problem #39

Nov 012015

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

September 2013, my husband bought me a 2010 Chevy Equinox, let's say I will NEVER buy American again! After getting ripped off with my payments I read through the book in glove compartment only to find out there was a new engine put in and I was never told. If I had been I would have never bought this SUV. Needless to say a month ago I was at about 20 % to get my oil changed when engine was knocking. My husband checked dipstick, bone dry, so I am now doing an oil consumption before my warranty is up in 2500 miles, I'm at 103500. My first 1000 they report 1/2 quart low, next 1000 1 quart, so we will see how this goes seeing I have another three year loan on this POS. Shame on you GM!

- Traci R., Naugatuck, CT, US

problem #38

Mar 152015

Equinox LTZ 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

It's consuming to much oil. I get a oil change not even the a month and half it has no more oil

- Luis P., Rockford, IL, US

problem #37

Nov 202015

Equinox 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

My Chevrolet equinox is in the shop right now and they are saying I need a brand new engine. They said that the oil was so low that it wrecked the engine completely. I did not know that the engine excessively burned oil so I just got oil changes routinely until the other day when the car broke down right in the middle of the interstate exit. I can not believe that this is happening. When I bought the car in September of 2013 I asked the sales associate about the indicator on the car that tells you when to change the oil. He told me that I could use that to know when to change the oil on the car and when it would get to about 50 I would change the oil. Now I am stuck with this piece of junk car that needs a brand new engine and I do not have any money to buy a new engine. I cant trade the car in because I owe 13,500 on the car still and they wont give me even close to that as a trade in. I can not believe that GM is selling these cars with faulty engines and all these people are having issues with the engine and they still haven't recalled this. This is just another example of big corporations screwing over the little guy. This is almost a scam that they are still selling these cars. I want to go up to Chevrolet and protest this and make sure no one else is left in the same situation I am in. I hope no one buys a Chevrolet equinox and we should all boycott GM together. This is ridiculous that so many people are going through this.

- reagand, Kenner, LA, US

problem #36

Jan 172015

Equinox ES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

01/17/2015 fuel pump dump gas in the oil. That took out the timing chain and the balancer had a bolt broke off.Chevy fix it after that the engine used 2 qt. of oil in 1300 miles. York Chevy dealer ran a test on how much oil the engine was using. Three weeks a go they called and said Chevy said to repair the engine. Chevy in York Ne. took the engine apart there was a problem with the bolt on the balancer it took the block out. The dealer order out a new engine thinking it would be covered by the recall. I picked up the car on 10/17/2015 Sat. On 10/19/2015 the York dealer call and said Chevy was not going to pay for the engine on recall of the engine using oil. I said that the problem was the recall of the balancer and time chain to 2020 or 120,000 miles. Chevy GM Minimum Customer Participation Calculator I paid $500.00 on the new engine.

On 11/14/2015 I was going to Colorado stop at Lexington. Ne. the engine had a rough ideal and stalled three times the four time would not restart and the security light came on. On the 11/15/2015 I called Chevy Plum Creek Motors they towed it in and checked it over said they would have to pull the intake to check injectors.

On 11/17/2015 services person called and said all four injectors was bad and was blowing out a fuse. I asked how all four injector would go bad a once he did not know. So i said the replace them. I picked my car up on 11/18/2015 paid $1,016.16 for the repair. I asked to have my old injectors so I could test them.

Seven miles from home the doors unlocked and lock a number of times real fast and the and it jumped up to 7,000 RPM. I turned off the engine and restarted the car it ran OK I went a mile or two the doors unlocked and locked and RPM jumped up to 7,000.

I have went on line there are so many complaints one can not read all of them. In read them Chevy has known of this problem with this car starting in 2010. Like the Chevy key Switch problem they say they know of no problems. It is just time before someone will get killed by this car stalling or door unlocking and locking.

I called one of the attorneys on Chevy key switch problem 1 800 541 7358 please if you have a problem call this number.

- David T., Stromsburg, US

problem #35

Oct 232015

Equinox LT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption

GM cars and trucks now tell us that your engine should burn 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles.

My equinox has no leaks and is burning oil at such a high rate. I use full synthetic oil and that apparently does nothing more that help my oil now. I know when my engine has burned off at least 1 quart because the engine begins to vibrate upon acceleration. My oil monitor in the car showed 52% oil life left. I did an oil change because I wanted to see if that would be the solution to the noise. Sure enough, my equinox had just about 2 quarts of oil left in it. I contact the dealership and ask them how much oil should a 5 year old car burn on average every 1000 miles. I was expecting an answer like a 1/3 of a quart or something low. They told me the equinox will burn 1 quarts every 100 miles. I go up the chain and ask GM and they tell me that upon asking the dealership for chevrolet specifications, they can "confirm that up to 1 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles is the acceptable amount of oil consumption for the vehicle." And that if I believe there is a problem, I will need to do an oil consumption test at the dealership.

Anyone else see an issue here. Go get vehicle tested and it hits 1quart every 1000 miles. Hey that meets the standards that they claim is appropriate. So lets pay them to do an oil change every 1000 miles for as they would like to tell me there is nothing wrong.

They also said "the oil life monitor is an estimation and it is still recommended to check the engine oil level at each fuel stop to make sure the engine oil is at the appropriate level". So, they are putting features in cars to help us monitor the car and telling us that those are all estimates. Oil Life Monitor should not tell me 52% and have barely enough oil to run the car.

Upon further research from others, the issue is that modern direct injected engines have low tension piston rings that allow oil into the combustion chamber and additional oil suspended in the upper valve assembly gets siphoned through the crankcase ventilation system and back into the combustion chamber and get burned on the valves.

I am waiting to see what engine issues our families Traverse occurs before I make any decision, but if this is how the GM engines are being built; I am looking elsewhere.

- designengineer, Fairfield, OH, US

problem #34

Jan 022015

Equinox LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Bought this 2010 Chevy Equinox Nov 2014 ONE MONTH later the timing chain went. Dealer replaced timing chain. Then after few months I noticed that I had to keep adding oil every 1000 miles. I just got a oil change Sept 2015 and two weeks later the oil dipstick showed EMPTY! I added more oil and all of a sudden three days ago the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I have a warranty for timing chain until Dec 2015 but I reported this dealer to BBB (Better Business Bureau) due to may other issues.......they refuse to answer my calls on this matter.

I see there's a recall for Carbon monoxide emissions so maybe I will try that route BUT definitely getting rid of this vehicle.......I love the car but it sounds like a diesel engine starting up and it constantly TICKS like it needs oil ......... GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES and replace engines! Not buying another Chevy and I have few people who were going to purchase this Chevy Equinox from dealers BUT I talked them all out of it!

- ldiane, Webster, NY, US

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