This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Bought used and then started noticing oil disappearing. Took to dealer, oil consumption test done, dealer says normal use. No help from the dealer at all. Consumption got worse, went from 2 quarts to 4 quarts between oil changes. In the meantime had to replace catalytic converter and a cracked exhaust manifold and now have a check engine light indicating O2 sensor problem, gas mileage dropping too. After researching, these problems seem to be caused by the oil use issue. Engine probably needs new rings and pistons($2500 at the dealer) but other internal damage may be present so cost may be even more. I found on the internet that GM had extended warranty for this issue but only up to 7 yrs or 120K miles. So, I am out of luck and dealer did not mention this as this started while still under 120K miles. Consulted a honest mechanic friend and he says it would be cheaper to replace the engine. He quoted $1800 for engine and labor, turn key job, with a one year warranty on everything. I trust him. Only choice is to replace engine or get rid of the car.
This vehicle has known oil consumption issues. In April 2016 the vehicle was lurching and shaking. During service of the vehicle they stated the oil was low, which has been on ongoing issue. We were advised to bring it back in August for an oil consumption test. We took it in for the oil consumption test. Now in May 2017 we are experiencing the same issues. Interestingly enough the dealership now has no record of the oil issues, including the oil consumption test. The dealership rummaged through the glove compartment and stated the vehicle was only getting oil changes every 6000. In fact, not all to the oil change receipts go in the glove compartment. We believe GM is attempting to hide the issue. Ultimately the vehicle will lurch and cause personal injury or property damage.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, a knocking noise was heard coming from the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a failure with the piston ring, which caused excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received an extended warranty notification for the engine. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty due to excessive mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Sitting at red light, idling became a little rough, when light turned green I tried to go and the vehicle completely shut off. Started it back up and it did it again; took 3 times before it cranked and stayed cranked. This has happened to me now about three different times at red light and stop sign. I am afraid to drive my vehicle, that it may not restart or that I may be in traffic and end up getting in an accident with my children.
Broken timing chain after only 4 years of owning the car. When I contacted the dealership they stated that they did issue a recall for timing chains for 2012 Equinox's, however my car was not covered under this specific recall, so they would not be covering it. When this chain broke, the vehicle began to violently shake, and ultimately stopped running in the middle of the highway. There was no warning that there was a problem with the vehicle.
- O'fallon, MO, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle rattled and made a host of noises, which indicated that there was no oil in the vehicle. The contact stated that two quarts of oil were placed in the vehicle, but it prematurely dissipated before the intended mileage mark. The contact stated that oil was added to the vehicle three times in a short period of time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired, but the contact made an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Engine light comes on......car dies, put it in park and restart it, engine light on, car moves with shudder. I am being told it is not a sensor but something in the car's computer. Fearful car will die in traffic and create accident or leave my granddaughter stranded. Other owners are experiencing same issue with no resolution from dealer service departments per internet sites/searches
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While the vehicle was being diagnosed for the stability and service engine soon indicators illuminating the technician informed the contact of water leaking in the area near the spare tire. The vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic for the leaking. The contact also stated that there was a mildew odor in the vehicle. The manufacturer provided reference number: 8-2934661496. The contact inquired as to why a recall was not issued. The manufacturer stated that NHTSA issues recalls and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 33,886. Updated 07/11/17
Timing chain failures at a relatively low mileage, between 50000 to 60000 miles which is unheard of, it makes the vehicle stall, ours did in the busiest part of wichita fall tx. Which is very dangerous, and im being told this is a common failure on these vehicles, timing chains should last a whole lot longer than that and its going to get someone killed, ive asked chevorlet if the new parts are an upgrade to fix the problem but no one can give me an answer so im probably going to get rid of the car which we love except for that issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 85,500.
In January 2017, experienced stalling and smell of fuel/oil throughout vehicle. Towed to dealer and was told rear oil seal was leaking oil and needed replacement. Charged 1500 dollars. On April 12th, 2017 during routine repairs for brakes, was told oil leaking again. Took back to dealership and was told that it is leaking from a different area but it is related to the rear oil seal leak. Further investigation shows that these vehicles have known gasket and seal issues leading to engine failure but GM/Chevy has not recalled. They issued a service bulletin in March 2015 #14882 but my VIN number is not included in this bulletin even though vehicle is exactly the same as the other people who are included. GM and Chevy not willing to help me and I am terrified to drive my vehicle.
On April, 13 2017, my wife was exiting the highway on the way home from work. The vehicle immediately slowed and shut down nearly causing her to be run over by a semi-tractor behind her. Because the car could not be re-started, I had it towed to my usual mechanic. His diagnosis showed it had a timing chain failure which tore up the upper end of the motor. In his experience such damage was the result of oil issues. This came as a great shock to measure I regularly change the oil every 3000 miles. I went home that night and began to research this problem and have found that this is not a rare occurrence with this motor. I would have to add from 1-3 quarts of oil between changes but because there were no bulletins or recalls I was told I would just have to deal with it. So I guess I need to know how many of these vehicles have to die in traffic or people have to die or be injured before someone takes notice. I will have to replace my motor (over $5000) and GM knows these problems exist. It was just a matter of time. And to add insult to injury, GM expects me to have the vehicle towed to their facility at my expense so they can confirm the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then I'll have to tow it back to my guy so he can fix it. Another $200 bucks. Once again, doesn't anyone monitor the internet about this stuff? people get so frustrated when dealing with large corporations, they have no choice but to share their stories with independent sources. And GM surely won't incur additional expenses without government scrutiny. We've learned that the hard way. I just want them to do the right thing. Admit it was a problem-plagued motor and fix it. Thank you for your time.
My car shut down while I was driving. I have been having problems with the check engine light coming on.. I am afraid to drive it. I am having it towed to the dealership tomorrow. I am driving a rental. I will never buy another product from this company. I have been reading the complaints. Why have this SUV not been recalled. Are they waiting for someone to be killed before they do this?
Around the time frame of may, 2016 I began to notice that my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with a 2.4L ecotec started having a knocking noise from the engine while idling. The mileage at this point in time was around 99K miles. At the same time that the knocking began, I noticed the check engine light came on. I went to an auto zone to check my oil levels, and realized that the dip stick showed the oil was much lower than it should have been. I went inside and purchased dexos 5W30 oil per the owner's manual and added 1 qt to it. Additionally, I noticed after I took the oil cap off that there was smoke coming from inside. Per the owner's manual, the GM oil life monitor system uses an algorithm that analyzes your driving activity, temperature outside, and several other factors to determine when the oil needs changed. According to this system I was at roughly 70% oil life. The system states that the oil only needs to be changed within 600 miles of the low oil life alert coming on, this doesn't happen until you get around 15%. at this point I began monitoring my oil consumption much more closely and carried oil on me at all times. As time has gone by, I've noticed the car is burning oil quicker, and as of my most recent oil change in February of this year, we began doing oil consumption tests per GM tsb # 13-06-01-003H that explains this issue. The tsb notes that it covers my make and model, but my VIN does not come up as being covered up to 120K miles for this repair. I have had a dealer tell me that the fix listed in the tsb is what needs to be done, but that it will cost $3.4K. Many other models with the same engine are covered but mine isn't. my car has since started stalling when it is idling at low RPM's, specifically on 3/22/17 it stalled twice while in a drive-through.current mileage today is 118.6K and the 2 oil consumption tests show burning up to 1 qt per 1K miles.
Around the time frame of may, 2016 I began to notice that my 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with a 2.4L ecotec started having a knocking noise from the engine while idling. The mileage at this point in time was around 99K miles. At the same time that the knocking began, I noticed the check engine light came on. I went to an auto zone to check my oil levels, and realized that the dip stick showed the oil was much lower than it should have been. I went inside and purchased dexos 5W30 oil per the owner's manual and added 1 qt to it. Additionally, I noticed after I took the oil cap off that there was smoke coming from inside. Per the owner's manual, the GM oil life monitor system uses an algorithm that analyzes your driving activity, temperature outside, and several other factors to determine when the oil needs changed. According to this system I was at roughly 70% oil life. The system states that the oil only needs to be changed within 600 miles of the low oil life alert coming on, this doesn't happen until you get around 15%. at this point I began monitoring my oil consumption much more closely and carried oil on me at all times. As time has gone by, I've noticed the car is burning oil quicker, and as of my most recent oil change in February of this year, we began doing oil consumption tests per GM tsb # 13-06-01-003H that explains this issue. The tsb notes that it covers my make and model, but my VIN does not come up as being covered up to 120K miles for this repair. I have had a dealer tell me that the fix listed in the tsb is what needs to be done, but that it will cost $3.4K. Many other models with the same engine are covered but mine isn't. my car has since started stalling when it is idling at low RPM's, specifically on 3/22/17 it stalled twice while in a drive-through.current mileage today is 118.6K and the 2 oil consumption tests show burning up to 1 qt per 1K miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the check oil engine warning indicator illuminated. The contacted assumed that the oil needed to be changed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 94,000.
While driving in traffic my car idles ruff and wants to stall. When I press on the gas to keep it from stalling - it jumps. This happens whit speeds ranging from 5-25 mph. My car often stalls while reversing. I had the cam shaft replaced and the problem continues to happen. I have to pay a $130 diagnostic charge just for them to tell me they can not find anything work with the car. Please have someone look into this issue - there appears to be numerous complaints about the same issue. My concern is that I will stall on a major highway with my kids in the car. This started in 10/2015 and still continues to happen.
I had driven my car to work without a problem which is about 2 miles from my house. After work I went to the store again with no problem. When I backed out of the parking space my car stalled. I put it in park and restarted it, but once I put it in reverse again it shook, and stalled. I restarted it again and gave it a little more gas, then put it in gear to back up. Now the check engine light is on. It wasn't on before all the stalling. I took the car home and parked it thinking it may be bad gas. A week went by without any problems. The check engine light was off the next morning when I started the car.. I came to a light and stopped, waiting for the signal to change. When the light changed I started to accelerate and the car started jerking a little and stalled.this is a busy intersection and I didn't want to be stuck in oncoming traffi as I was in the left turn lane. I put it in park and restarted it again. Again it stalled. I restarted it giving it more acceleration then putting it in drive..I pulled into a parking lot and shut it off. After a few minutes I started it and the check engine light is now on. The car stalled 4 more times before I left the parking lot. I drove it home and parked it. I have read several other complaints that sound exactly like mine. I do not feel safe driving this car knowing it can stall at any given moment putting me, my family, and other travelers at risk. So far I have not been on the highway with this issue. I had it checked and the code came back as P0010. This appears to be a similar problem as the 2011 Equinox had and it was recalled. I strongly feel GM should address this problem before people are killed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Florence, SC, USA