8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,900
Average Mileage:
93,950 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. there is none I have to continue putting oil into it (1 reports)
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problem #13

Nov 222022

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I bought this car 1 year agao, I am constanly putting oil in it.

- Wanda Annetta B., Midlothian IL, US

problem #12

Mar 152023

Equinox L 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,500 miles

2016 Equinox purchased new. Consumes about a quart of oil every 800-1000 miles. I have also had to replace both of the camshaft actuator solenoids one in August 2023 and one mid-2022. I was told that because of the excesses oil consumption my engine may need to be replaced. The Chevy dealer wants to charge me $250 to do an oil consumption test. Seems to me GM / Chevy knows they have a problem engine and is doing nothing about it. There should be a recall to solve this problem or a Class Action Suit to force GM to take responsibility for their defective design. The low oil light has never come on - How come GM?

- Clifford S., Tappan, US

problem #11

Jun 012023

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

Oil consumption issue, the dealership wants $3400 to complete the repair. If this is such a known issue I'm surprised that Chevrolet doesn't address it.

My Equinox started to need additional oil between oil changes. No low oil light ever alerted to me of the issue. I noticed a knocking in the engine and immediately checked the oil. It took 2 quarts. The dealership service attendant pretended they didn't know about the issue but ironically the service guy knew right away what it was.

Getting it repaired in 2 weeks. I hope this solves the problem.

- Ron K., Green Bay, WI, US

problem #10

Sep 062022

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

The problem appeared suddenly, we changed oil regularly, using none in between 3000 mi changes, for 2.5 years - then next service we were told it was 2 quarts low. WTF? We were driving as usual, city and freeway driving. This summer was extraordinarily hot. I can't blame this on that, can I? I also hate that the dip stick - it's hard to read.

- gregfreeman, Omaha, US

problem #9

Nov 252022

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,146 miles

The car was using oil based on our initial complaint. The Chevy dealer suggested an oil compression test. At 1500 miles the oil was very low. The dealer suggested repair of pistons, timing, etc. The estimated cost is $5000. The kicker is when we bought the car the chevy dealer suggested an extended warranty. He said unlike the one on TV this one covers so much more. Guess what, it expressly excludes oil consumption and the related parts. I am between a rock and a hard place! I still have a loan.

- Barbara M., Rice, MN, US

problem #8

Oct 252022

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,146 miles

We were driving this car and the engine started to knock. There was no interior engine or oil lights on. Husband checked the oil and nothing showed up in the dipstick. We were just months into buying this car.

- Barbara M., Rice, MN, US

problem #7

May 182022

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,250 miles

I bought this car in may of 2022, drove it home, and it was low on oil, making all kinds of noise in the motor. The dealership would not do anything, as we bought it, as is!

I had to have all of this replaced, and the timing chain jumped.

Replaced timing chain, guides, and tensioners, but it's still loosing oil. I took it back to my mechanic, and he had to replace cam actuators, and solenoids. I'm going to take it to the Chevy service dept. at Cox Chevy to get the oil consumption test done on it, this week. I need to have this fixed, we love the car, but not all the hassles that come with it.

- dblkick55, Bradenton, US

problem #6

Feb 012022

Equinox LT V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I took my car faithfully to the dealer for Oil Changes based on the maintenance recommendations and my oil life monitor. The car started acting like it may stall at stops and shook. I took it into mechanic, and the car was severely low on oil and timing chain was damaged. Based on others experience, it could have been so much worse. I was never told at dealership that my oil was low. Car never gave any indication oil was low. The mechanic recommended drilling a hole in the manifold, more frequent oil changes (3000 miles) and an additive/treatment. I had one payment left on the car when this happened and was planning to drive it for a few more years and save some money. Now considering trading it in sooner as it seems like a ticking time bomb.

- Melissa G., Bay City, MI, US

problem #5

Jan 282022

Equinox 2.4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

I have a 2016 Equinox. I've maintained it throughout the life of the car. In June it just would not start and engine light came on for the first time since purchase..

I towed it and it needed solenoids and I changed my oil. On 1/28/22 coming out of work, the engine would start but cut off with acceleration or if I stop at a light. The engine light came on and low engine power showed in the screen. Again I took it straight to my mechanic and he said my engine was consuming oil and I needed a new engine. I JUST PAID OF MY CAR A MONTH AGO!!

My extended warranty company will not cover the replacement because they say their inspection shows I drove 4600 miles with my engine light on. Totally not true! Also said I didn't maintain my vehicle despite having all my records, oil changes, etc. Not one time did a low engine light come on; only the engine light the two occurrences. I'm reading this is a malfunction yet there's no recall. Is there a class action suit I can add my car and myself too? I'm forced to purchase another car!

- Shauna C., Covington, Georgia, US

problem #4

Jan 042021

Equinox LTZ 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,215 miles

I see complaints about excessive oil consumption on 2013 Chevy Equinox everywhere...

So here I am with a 2016 Chevy Equinox with the same damn problem... three or four years later they haven't changed a thing and GM is knowingly selling these cars with this problem. I bought this car from Brian Cullen, a GM dealer in St, Catharines Ontario. I was led to believe this car was fit and problem free.

3000 km and 3 months later my engine is knocking and I had to pull over and call for a service call. I have taken it back to the dealer repeatedly for an "oil consumption test" which basically is them topping up my oil and telling me to come back in a thousand clicks. I hope there is a class action lawsuit coming soon!

Update from Sep 8, 2021: GM says 1 lit/1000km {600 miles} is well within their accepted parameters....WoW!

- Marv S., st. catharines, ON, Canada

problem #3

Feb 282021

Equinox LS 2.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

Check engine light came on on a Saturday. I took it to check the code came back a a cam shaft something or other parked the car until Monday didn’t want to chance anything had to wait for a mechanic to open. I went to start the car Monday and it wouldn’t start got it towed and they told me I needed a new engine! No warning.

$5000 later I get a new engine and I go get an oil change at the recommended miles. They tell me I’m very low on oil and that these cars burn oil like crazy and I need to check my oil every 1000 miles - what the hell kind of crap is that? I would have NEVER bought this car if I had known the issues and I damn sure will never buy another Chevy. I would be better off buying a beat up 1980 Ford!

- Abbigail G., Dowagiac, US

problem #2

May 152021

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Heard there was a lawsuit, my car is going through a quart of oil a week

- sroney1970, Glenwood, US

problem #1

Dec 012020

Equinox 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I drive this 2016 Equinox pretty much to and from work. It is sucking up oil like crazy. No leaks, it's just using up oil. It ran very low on oil this morning and started jerking back and forth at a stop light. I got to work and checked the oil and there was nothing on the stick.

GM knows about this. Our company has had so many problems with Chevy Malibu's and Chevy Equinox's. There was a class action suit recently settled on earlier model Equinox vehicles. I am suggesting that our company no longer buys and Chevy vehicles except the vans that we have no major issues with. My car now has 99,900 miles on it and it is a piece of crap as far as oil consumption goes.

I tried calling GM this morning but I am getting a constant busy signal. GM wants to sell you cars no matter what but then doesn't want to acknowledge problems that, by what I am seeing on the Internet, are pretty prevalent.

- Gene A., Harwood Heights, IL, US