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8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,530
Average Mileage:
79,050 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (14 reports)
  2. replace engine (4 reports)
  3. replace actuator solenoid (3 reports)
  4. replace variable valve timing (vvt) solenoid (1 reports)
  5. replaced the cam shaft (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jun 012024

Equinox LS 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On this vehicle for about 2 weeks now and have had all kinds of problems and now it's really rough idle stalling hesitation. Then acceleration and oil consumption is insane. I drove it from the dealership to home the next day. Got in it and no oil. Too much blow-by from the oil cap. I've come to find out that it could have a timing chain issue. Timing valve solenoids need to be replaced. Pretty much anything that has to do with the motor is poor engineering. The orifices get clogged up and there's nowhere for the pressure to escape and water gets into the air box along with oil into the throttle body. Just really bad engineering. I don't know how they're still making these motors and putting them in cars at this point. $4,500 for a used car and it's not even drivable just sitting waiting to see another mechanic and do a pressure test along with a visible test leakage test timing chain test orifice hole cleaning. I need a high performance oil cap that allows dirty oily air out in the atmosphere so the air doesn't stay pressurized in the engine and blow the rear main seal.

The windshield wiper motor does not work on and off whenever it wants right. Headlight is out the second time turning on the vehicle and the other GMC terrain that was for sale was completely rusted out underneath on the driver side but the outside of the body looked like his inkling condition also and ecotec motor which probably has the same blow-by problems as the Malibu's and everything else. I really hope GM stops making these motors wakes up and jumps back to the '90s and gets back to reality and stays in business because at this point in time I just don't see myself going anywhere near GM unless it's some kind of V8 Buick because they just don't make good cars anymore

- Roscoe W., Lincoln Park, US

problem #22

Jun 032019

Equinox 2.4L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

They had my car for an entire day. When I picked up my car in the evening, they never informed me of what was wrong with my vehicle and didn't give me any paperwork. I called GM and left a voice mail and then had a call back and a voice mail saying they weren't sure why they were calling me back and were rude. They did nothing to inform me of what issue was wrong with my vehicle. I initially brought my car into them because I was told by my mechanic that my vehicle was burning excessive oil. I then told GM of the issue and then we had to do oil consumption test which later on they conveniently said I never did. They are aware of this issue and they just brush it under the rug until the warranty is up. They are criminals and need to be held accountable.

- Lyndsee G., Fargo, US

problem #21

Mar 212020

Equinox LT 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 176,949 miles

I was leaving work one afternoon - so the car had been setting for 8 hours. I pulled up to a red light and it started jumping, then it died. Thank goodness it started back up because it was 5 o'clock traffic

- Brittany W., Crestview, FL, US

problem #20

Jul 282021

Equinox Subn 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,579 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had the car since 2013, never had a problem or issue, until July 2021. It started with the engine light coming on and staying on. The car started jacking and chugging and we were coming to a stop or while trying to accelerate. This happened for days each time it was driven. It would stall while backing up or sitting at a stop sign or just idling as we tried to take off or as we backed into a parking spot. The first time the mechanic was able to run a sensor check and was given a possible issue. The engine light went out and the car was driving fine, until August 13, 2021.

It ran fine first thing in the morning, but by afternoon, the same jerking, sputtering and stalling started happening again, and it stalled out 5 times before I was able to make it the 10 miles home. I do feel the car does it more when the engine is warm. Not sure how that happens, I also feel the the air conditioning is not as cold as prior to this happening. I’m pretty upset over the stalling as it can happen anytime, anywhere. I am hoping Chevy will be doing a recall as this appears to happen frequently with this year auto. This car has served us very well, I would like to have it repaired correctly as we have no other option.

- AnneMarie S., Fairport, US

problem #19

Oct 062019

Equinox LX 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I bought this Chevrolet Equinox on 2014 and expecting that I was going to have it for a while I tried to pay it fast to get the payments off my back. During the time I had the car it gave me a lot of problems but I was taking the car to service to the same place where I bought it and they would never really explain much. I finished paying full price on that car by the beginning of 2019.

As soon as I was done paying it, the engine broke completely and I ended up with no money and no car. When I took my car to the dealership where I bought it they offered me to buy another car. I was very disappointed and left my car in there knowing that there was nothing I would be able to do.

- Rufina G., Carlsbad, US

problem #18

Aug 282018

Equinox 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Check engine light came on. Took it to a mechanic. He came back with engine needs to be replaced. Rack and pinion and transmission needs to be replaced. And needs to be reprogrammed. I have just under 89,0000 miles on this car. This is completely unexceptionable to me

- Mary Anne K., Millbury, OH, US

problem #17

Mar 152018

Equinox LT 2.4L 4cl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Failed timing chain. No advanced warning. Engine light came on as soon as engine started to misfire and lost power.

- Dave Z., Grayslake, IL, US

problem #16

May 172017

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

The power train issue happened to me too. Wrecked the whole engine. Fortunately, I had an extended warranty, so it was covered, but they just replaced the engine with a used engine with 62,000 miles on it - a 'junk yard engine' as my mechanic called it. Very disappointing, as I'm sure this same problem will happen to me again with this 'new' engine. The 'new' engine came with a cracked manifold which had to be fixed as well. My father got rid of his Equinox when his manifold cracked. Never had this kind of trouble with any other car I've owned - very disappointing!

- ksbarb, Lombard, US

problem #15

Mar 012017

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

This has been by far the most frustrating thing I have ever dealt with in my life. In March, my car starting to make a sound like the engine was racing, next thing I know, I would pull up to a light and my car would shake and shake and then finally stall out. I would also be in reverse and my car would stall out... Finally after one day of driving to work (which I drive an hour to and from) my car stalled...in the middle of traffic! I have my baby in the car, so now I am absolutely furious! I call GM when I get to work and they "know nothing of this every happening" Umm ok..according to this site, this happens enough for them to know of it occurring. I take it to the local GM dealer where $1,600 later I get my car back. They told me the fuel injectors went bad and they all had to be replaced. Well guess what...on my way to work today, my car shook and stalled out! Not even 3 months later and my car is in the same exact place it was. I will call GM on Monday...if my car lasts that long... I will never buy another Chevy again..and I will let all of my family and friends know the same. So disappointed and frustrated!

- Amanda H., Stowe, US

problem #14

May 072017

Equinox 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

The car was jerking when it shifted gears on acceleration (onset). Then it shutdown. When restarted it wouldn't move. Restarted again and it shuddered getting it off the road. After sitting for 30+ minutes it decided to behave on the drive to the repair facility. The engine light remained on the entire time.

The resolution was replacing the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid. Apparently when it malfunctions it throws error codes to the car's computer and it does all kinds of crazy things. Restarting it after a period, the computer resets itself and the car behaves ...until the next time.

I was fortunate to have an independent service facility that took the time to run down the diagnostics on it to find the problem because the error codes don't lead you there they say all kinds of other things. I paid for several hours of diagnostics to get to the correct answer and wanted to share with the others who have not received help yet.

- Pam P., dalton, OH, US

problem #13

Jan 152017

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

SO one week since last incident, the car stalls at every red light, not cutting off every time, but it does a couple of times. Again, when put in reverse it does cut off. Oil is low, but we keep up with the oil changes on a regular basis. Now Firestone says the error from the check engine light is bad pistons. What the hell, this car is a 2012 and only has 114K miles. Chevrolet should be ASHAMED!

- Kim P., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #12

Aug 032015

Equinox LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

So on our BRAND new car we had to have a powertrain warranty repair. Car was running really bad and pretty much just died on the side of the road. Towed to our local garage where he discovered it was a powertrain issue and covered under that warranty.

- Dana S., League City, TX, US

problem #11

Dec 172016

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,777 miles

Bought this vehicle used at 24,000 km. I am sure now that the seller knew it had this problem. Car started running rough within days, using oil, stalling at lights and while driving. Very stressful and very dangerous. Sometimes the check engine light comes on and sometimes it doesn't. Today it stalled 6 times, 3 while I was trying to get it into the lane way. I can't get it into the dealership for a few days but am afraid to drive it now. Should have bought a ford, at least my escape lasted to well over 250,000 km until the transmission died!

Update from Jan 11, 2017: Took it to dealership for recall. Told the of the problems.

Found three error codes, p0010, p0011, p0121

Update from Jan 11, 2017: Dealer replaced 2 actuator solenoids under warranty.

Also found it needs throttle body and gasket. Not covered under warranty. Approximately $450 CAD to repair.

Vehicle has not stalled since although still runs a little rough, especially in cold weather.

- Marilyn C., London, ON, Canada

problem #10

Oct 032016

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,500 miles

Car stalled at stop lights anytime of day and everytime I stopped at stop light or stop sign for a couple weeks. I had someone I know change the solenoid sensor and clean the throttle. It seemed to do the trick but now for the last couple weeks it has been jerking while in acceleration mainly in the mornings.

- Leticia C., Deland, FL, US

problem #9

Aug 232016

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,700 miles

I had this car bought on Sept 2011. Just recently, it has stalled twice when I was in slow speed. Also it been rough when idling, jerking. Although I can restart the engine after stall, but it is really very scary as I am senior and hard to control the steering wheel when there is no power, it can cause injury also damages in some circumstances.

As I checked internet there is recall for 2011 Equinox for this kind of engine problem, but no mention on 2012 model, I think Chevy should responsible for any model that have this serious problem!!

- Rosy K., Cypress, TX, US

problem #8

Feb 122016

(reported on)

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,700 miles

My 2012 Equinox was bought new, has perfectly followed the service schedule, and has less than 50k miles on it. One day at a stop light, it seemed as if the car was trembling. This was very brief and I never felt it again so I didn't think much of it. About a week later my check engine light came on, but turned off within 24 hours. At a red light the next day, my Equinox stalled out. I pressed the gas and nothing would happen until I turned off the car and restarted the engine. This was quite alarming as my check engine light was not even illuminated and this was in a very busy intersection. To move the car from traffic, it began stalling out every time the car was idle. The only solution each time was to restart the car. The check engine light finally came on on the third restart.

I immediately took the car to the dealership. They replaced the intake solenoid valve, which took only a few hours and cost $287. This cost included a required oil change even though I'd had an oil change less than 1,000 miles prior. They were unable to tell me what caused the problem, which was not covered under my existing power train warranty, but reading online it seems to be a pretty common. I believe there was a recall for the same problem in the 2011 Equinox's.

I hope Chevy realizes that this is an unacceptable not to mention very dangerous problem. I would think they take more pride in their vehicles than a well maintained suv not lasting 50k miles. I do hope there is a recall soon before someone is hurt.

- soccer55, Columbia, SC, US

problem #7

Sep 142015

Equinox LS 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,892 miles

2012 Chevy Equinox owners I have never experienced a vehicle that gets low on oil very quickly and started to jerk and stall at lights and stop signs. A year ago it happened and it was covered under 100,000 miles powertrain, it was the timing chain, a year later the oil was low they say 1qt. There"s no low oil detector on dash. Now I'm awaiting Gm to see if they will cover the engine repair, if not I'm taking this to the state for consumer fraud. I'm struggling to pay a high truck payment and have to deal with this mess...I will never purchase a Chevy again!

- Jamie B., Chicago, IL, US

problem #6

Oct 142015

Equinox LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,300 miles

My 2012 Equinox was bought new, it has had regular service and has been taken care of. On 10-14-15 it began to stall out in traffic, at intersections, stop signs and this is while my 17 year old daughter was behind the wheel! I put fuel injection cleaner in with a tank of gas hoping for a fix but it did the same thing today 10-15-15. I see that this is a common issue with the Equinox and I feel that Chevy isn't following up on these problems the way they should be, I will not buy another Chevy if this issue isn't dealt with.. It seems these problems occur after the warranty expires.. This is a very dangerous problem to have while driving in traffic.. someone needs to step up and take care of this..

- rolltidefamily5, Valley, AL, US

problem #5

Sep 012015

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

As I'm reading other familiar complaints, I'm wondering why GM is not recalling these vehicles. It started when I was backing up and My 2012 Chevy Equinox stall. Engine light came on and was diagnosed with the Camshaft position sensor was out. Replaced along with oil and spark plugs. Ran for a week then started stalling again. Engine light goes on and off. Usually stall when the engine is warm? Are there any solutions to the problem?

- mallbrittontx, Katy, TX, US

problem #4

Sep 052015

Equinox LES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I have a 2012 Equinox. It just started dying out of no where. It Dies like 10 times a week. Usually in parking lots, but once on the road. At the dealership now without an engine code. I might be paying for this out of pocket.

- mnorlien, Springfield, MO, US

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