10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 63,182 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle would suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer white bear lake Chevrolet(1801 county rd. Fe, white bear lake, mn) where it was diagnosed that parts of the engine were damaged due to an oil consumption failure. The engine actuator, the catalytic converter, the engine pistons and the timing chain were all replaced and the failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated parts were replaced twice but wasn't fixed.
- Coon Rapids, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence where the oil filter was replaced and five quarts of oil were added. The contact also stated that the oil consumption on the vehicle was approximately a quart and a half high each week. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 156,284.
- Colbert, GA, USA
Back on Jan 14, 2019 oil was changed as part of routine at a service station. Operator suggested we take it in to the dealers as part of an oil consumption recall he heard about, within 200 miles we took it into a dealership for the test to be performed and they refused to do it due to a rear main seal leak that no one mentioned earlier or at the oil change place. They wouldn't repair it as part of the GM service bulletin 14882 (which is what caused the issue) had to pay $1700 just to get the seal fixed so they could perform the test on an issue GM already was aware of! vehicle finally failed the consumption test and had the recall done at another dealership. Within 3 weeks of being fixed multiple electronic issues have popped up like the stabilitrak disabling, engine power decrease warning, stalling when in idle, burnt smell, air bag lights, and above avg engine noises and has shut down on the highway. Taking it back to the dealer who fixed it to see what can be done. This is my wife's daily driver and takes our kids everywhere so it's imperative that people read this an really think hard before buying this GM product if you've got a family. Current;Y under 91,000 miles but it seems like oil changes became more frequent around 75,000 without warning of oil being low.
- Fife Lake, MI, USA
Using oil. I have to add oil several times between changes. It does not smoke; nor does the oil gauge state any changes. The oil gauge light does not come on either to inform me of this. This has been happening for the past year of so.
- Gray, TN, USA
Since buying this vehicle, it has excessively burned through oil. Every time I go for an oil change which is always before the avg. 5000 miles I am told that the oil is very low. I have started adding 2-3 quarts of oil in between oil changes- this still shows up as low oil at the oil change. I never have an indicator light telling me my oil is low. The first couple of times I went in to change the oil after I bought it the car was riding really rough- shaking, loud, stalling. I didn't know what it was. Good thing I took it for an oil change right away. I was told it was almost completely dry! so I have been monitoring it since and adding oil. It seems like the problem is getting worse. At my last oil change I found out that this is a common problem with the Equinox. I called Chevy dealership. Was given the run around. I persisted and was finally transferred to someone who knew of the issue. I was told I needed a oil consumption test and I would have to pay for it. They would check my oil every 1000 miles X3 to see if it qualified for free repair. After doing some searching online I found out that GM is being sued by several states because of this exact issue. Unfortunately I do not live in those states. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle now that I know this problem is getting worse and I have found out that some of the cars with the same issue, have had their engine seize while driving it on the highway.
- Middletown, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced high oil consumption, which caused the contact to have to add extra oil in the vehicle weekly. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000. Consumer stated engine blew, stalling of car, oil consumption rapidly. Dealer fixed problems. Engine light came back on January 2019 took back to dealer, dealer stated needed to check oil there was none in the car. Car started shaking @ light stalling, making loud noise. GMC is aware of the problem and refuses to fix the problem which is the pistons that need repair.
- Downey, CA, USA
The vehicle turned completely off, could not get key out of ignition and electrical system was totally done. I had to get it towed to repair shop. I paid 1500 to get it back on. R stopped in the middle of highway while driving. Repaired it by changing timing chain and a month layer the electrical system went out again while waiting at a stop light. No warning just turned completely off and had to get it towed again to caar repair shop. I was told that it was probably.tje transmission or engine. Not worth the price of repair because it would probably end up costing more than the car was worth.
- Camas, WA, USA
I purchased this car on 3/29/2019 and on 4/1/2019 found that the engine is suuseptable to excessive oil consumption causing engine to wear out and could stop running on the road making it a safety hazard. Also that the steering causes resistance to steering when changing lanes causing a highway safety hazard. Am I included in the class action lawsuit filed against General Motors?
- Bristol, IN, USA
Frequent stalling when starting from a stop including at red lights and stop signs. Also trips check engine light. Have taken it in for service several times. Checked throttle body, cam sensor, other sensor, solenoids, changed oil twice, checked for recalls or service bulletins, all work done by mechanics at Goodyear, they tried and tried and finally gave up after saying it was a real safety issue and they had no idea how to fix it. The dealer's position is that there is no problem, but obviously there is. The check engine light codes have been reviewed and every possible cause seems to have been explored. There are quite a number of similar complaints about stalling for the Equinox if doing a web search. Has recurred over several weeks, Goodyear service typically fixes it for less than 50 miles.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Driving to work on city street after getting off interstate the engine locked up (all the oil was forced out through the rear main seal) in my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with only 76,542 miles. Luckily I was not on the interstate at 60 mph - who knows what could have happened? General Motors knows about this PCV and excessive oil consumption issue. They have extended "special coverage" for part of this problem. If letters were sent out I never received any. This defect is happening more frequently - many complaints available on the internet. Maybe this 4 cylinder engine needs to be investigated before someone gets injured. The GM dealer said there was no neglect on my part but I had to pay $5194.15 to have my engine replaced.
- Olmsted Falls, OH, USA
I contacted Chevrolet in November 2018 about excessive oil consumption. My car is usually 2.5 quarts low by the time 3000 miles is driven from the last oil change & I am worried my engine will lock up. I do all routine maintenance and get regular oil changes and service. This model should not use that much oil between oil changes. Now, since dealing with these other issues, when I come to a stop, it idles from about 700 down to 500 and it idles so low, my lights flicker & it sounds like it is going to cut off. My vehicle idles correctly when in park. It only idles roughly when in drive or reverse while at a stop. I contacted Chevrolet again, via phone, and they tell me "unfortunately it's not part of the recall and repairs will be out-of-pocket" I am disappointed that Chevrolet wont stand behind their products enough to recall and repair them as they should be. This problem started at around 114,000 miles. While this was all going on, the windshield wiper motor and transmission had to be replaced, which was also a recall, but not on my vehicle. I am so disappointed that Chevrolet wont recall and repair my vehicle. This is definitely something that they should take care of. How many people complaining of the same issues before they do what they're supposed to so their customers are happy and their vehicles are in proper working and driving condition so they don't endanger others from faulty parts?! if my vehicle dies while driving down the interstate, that will cause problems for more than just me! I have emailed Chevrolet 2 other times and have received no response. I'm so disappointed. I expected them to manufacture better quality motors than what these have turned out to be. It's sad it takes so many people to complain to actually get something done.
- Braxton, MS, USA
GM service bulletin 14882 while driving my 2012 Chevy Equinox it died suddenly without warning on a city street. No warning lights, or nothing to indicate a problem. I was luckily able to get to a safe location where I noticed a trail of oil and oil severely leaking out from underneath my vehicle. I had it towed to a Chevy dealership and the PCV valve is plugged and caused the rear main seal to leak. My VIN number is not covered in the GM service bulletin 14882 even though it is the exact same issue. This is a hazard for drivers as there was no warning at all of an issue and my vehicle died suddenly.
- Maple Plain, MN, USA
There is a problem with the actuator solenoids with the 2012 Chevy Equinox. While operating the 2012 Chevy Equinox in any capacity it stalls especially when accelerating from a complete stop causing the vehicle to stop in oncoming traffic. They cause the vehicle to also stall when backing and or even when in idle. We have replaced these twice in the last 5 months.
- Ladson, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 55 mph, the electrical system failed and the contact had to use force to control the steering. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that there was an oil leak, the rear main seal needed to be replaced, and the pvc valve needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 181,000.
- Loveland, OH, USA
Since April 2018 I have been experiencing issues with my vehicle when coming to a slow stop. Initially I thought the issue had to do with my brakes. I have taken the vehicle in to the brake shop three times since April 2018 and they had repeatedly told me the brakes are not the issue. I had my check engine light come on in December 2018 so I took my vehicle into the huber Chevrolet in omaha for an oil change even though it was not due yet for another 3 weeks. I was never told during this visit that my oil was low. On March 7th, 2019 the check engine light came on again so I took it in again the same day even though it wasn't due for an oil change for another 1000 miles. I was told my vehicle was 3 qts low on oil. I was also told of this "special policy". I was asked to bring my vehicle back in after 500 to 700 miles to have the oil consumption tested. I was told my vehicle's "policy" only lasted til May 2019 which is just a couple months away. I was also told that one issue the fast oil consumption caused was issues with the vehicle shaking/rattling when coming to a stop. These are the exact things my vehicle has been experiencing since April 2018. I believe that this huber Chevrolet GM dealer should have notified me during earlier visits about my oil consumption issue. After my oil change today I have learned from the internet of all the issues concerning oil consumption with GM vehicles made between 2010-2017. I am adamant that I never received any letter from GM about this oil consumption problem. I am upset that GM dealers like the one I go to were not obligated to tell owners of these vehicles about the oil consumption issue. I am now in the position of having just til May 2019 of proving my vehicle is experiencing this same oil consumption issue that GM and its dealers have been well aware of.
- Omaha, NE, USA
My wife was driving down the highway and she received a warning stating 'reduced engine power' and 'service stabilitack'. wishing a few seconds of this her car died on the highway and would not start back up. Upon initial review the PCV line was blocked with ice as it was single digit temperature. When I checked the oil level there was nothing. The oil light never came on according to my wife. I put 2 quarts of oil in the car and it started back up, however it barely made it 4 miles back to the house before the oil was gone and the undercarriage of my vehicle was smoking from the oil coming out. This is exactly described in bulletin 14882. My car has just over 107K miles and appears meet all criteria of said bulk item. However, upon speaking with Chevrolet about this bulletin. My car is not covered.
- Blackwell, OK, USA
Frozen pvc system forcing rear main seals to blow out. The car started fine but soon started trying to cut off...battery light came on. Car soon cut off. This car only has 84,596 miles on it.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
While driving to the gas station, and then to work, my vehicle got very sluggish while going down the highway but then resumed normal operation. I stopped to get gas and look over the exterior of the vehicle and found nothing to be out of the ordinary. I filled the gas tank and proceeded to drive the 1 mile to my place of employment. When pulling into the parking lot, I began hearing a knocking sound that I recognized immediately. I parked the vehicle immediately and looked around again. That is when I saw the oil on the ground. I examined the engine to look for the source of the oil leak. The oil filter, drain plug, and drain pan all were clean and dry. There was oil on the frame and the underside of the floorboard that can be seen from underneath the vehicle. After a few internet searches, I found a service bulletin (#14882) that told me everything that had happened. The temperature was well below freezing that day and it was snowing. I have a strong suspicion that the water that had made it's way into the PCV system had frozen, the pressure built up until it forced the rear main oil seal out resulting in all of the oil in my vehicle to exit the engine during my drive. The service bulletin indicated that Chevrolet and GM knew about the condition and yet did nothing to solve the issue.
- Englewood, CO, USA
While my 20 year old son was driving my 2012 Chevy Equinox with 88567 miles to work along back country roads at 6am on a dark cold Michigan morning he noticed the smell of burning oil while pulling into his employers parking lot. As it got lighter out thru the morning he noticed that the whole rear of the vehicle was covered in oil, with further investigation he discovered the whole under carriage was also covered in oil. Had him get vehicle towed to dealership where they diagnosed the issue as a rear main seal blown due to a clogged PCV valve, which matches a service bulletin (14882) in which dealership would not honor because of limited VIN's included per bulletin.
- Manchester, MI, USA
- Seatac, WA, USA