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8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,560
Average Mileage:
85,850 miles
Total Complaints:
107 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (37 reports)
  2. replace engine (23 reports)
  3. not fixed (17 reports)
  4. have gm recall all defective 2.4 engines (13 reports)
  5. replaced piston rings (9 reports)
  6. replaced pistons and rings and oil sesnor (4 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #107

Aug 272024

Equinox LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,950 miles

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

I purchased this car from Register Chevrolet in Brooksville Fl on 02/14/2017. It was a certified pre-owned vehicle at the time of purchase. The mailing address on my vehicle registration has not changed since purchase and I received a complimentary oil change and inspection at Gilchrist Chevrolet in Tacoma Wa on 08/14/2017 and used this mailing address.

P O Box 5091 Tacoma Wa 98415.

In December of 2019 I did receive a letter concerning a possible defect in the wiper transmission at this address but I have never received a letter about the recall for excessive oil consumption.

I believe I should receive the same service as per this recall even though my vehicle is past the extended warranty period for this recall.

What is my recourse in this matter?

- Leland H., Tacoma, US

problem #106

Jun 012024

Equinox LS 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

burns oil 1 quart every 400 miles

2.4 l. Ecotec motors are garbage. These motors will put GM out of business instead of a proper PVC to let the oil pressure out and has constant flowby coming out of the oil cap. They have orifice holes in the valve cover. They get clogged with oil and oil continues to burn causing timing, chain problems. $2,000 to repair the rings are not proper for the vehicle. They don't have enough oil scraper room. They are too tight and the rear main seals blow because there's too much pressure in the engine. I recommend getting a performance oil cap that allows pressure out of the oil cap like a air filter but keeps the oil in so the blow by and pressure does not blow the rear main seal out. Jim's had this problem for years with the vehicle and and this may be my last Chevy. I noticed when I had a Chevy Cobalt I had issues. Also it was the ecotec motor Chevy sonics ecotec motor.

I also have problems with the radiator leak due to a plastic over fill line that freezes in the winter time and the steering gear box freezes. You have to change to cold climate steering fluid and the winter time. All in all just a really poorly engineered vehicle due to the poor engineering. Much like the Dodge journey. They should be replaced. People deserve a free car. They do not deserve this engine with orifice holes instead of proper PCV Water gets into the air box because of the PCV that is in proper oil gets into the throttle body because the oil is evaporating into the inbox which somehow makes its way into the throttle body timing. Chain guide has plastic on the bottom. It breaks eventually due to oil consumption. The timing chain gets severely stretched and then shreds the guide and it falls into the oil pan. The solenoids intake and exhaust solenoids get filled with metal and oil shavings and thousands amongst thousands of customers are complaining about these specific motors which are in Chevy sonics Chevy cobalts, Chevy GMC terrains and numerous other Chevy vehicles and GM is not replacing them at all and it's been an issue since '9 from what I understand. I wish I would have knew this before.

- Roscoe W., Lincoln Park, US

problem #105

Apr 162022

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,420 miles

I bought my 2012 Chevy Equinox a little over a year ago as a daily driver for my wife, she drives up a mountain 21 miles one way to work. At first the car used about a quart of oil about every 500 to 600 miles but last week I put in 2 quarts of oil on Tuesday and by Saturday it was not reading on the dipstick and it started to rattle and make bad noises from the engine. I have stopped my wife from driving the car because I am afraid it will throw a rod and leave her stranded on the mountain.

This was supposed to be a safe reliable car and its been a nightmare. We are having to borrow a car from someone just to get her back and forth to work. I'm left paying over 500 dollars a month for a car that's dead in the driveway. Chevy should have never put this engine in any of its cars. It's a piece of junk and I want the motor rebuilt or replaced due to this issue. I payed almost 14,000 dollars for this car and it isn't worth 14 dollars. The bad engine is causing other issues like fouling 02 sensors, dumping 2-4 quarts of oil in it every week for over a year and causing us to worry we'd end up stranded somewhere in the Colorado mountains, freezing to death or being animal food. I have driven Chevy most of my life but unless this problem is fixed by GM with no out of pocket cost.

I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN!!!

- Gregory B., Colorado Springs, CO, US

problem #104

Apr 012019

Equinox LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

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

No shocker but my Chevy Equinox 2012 is an oil guzzling bitch!

GM knew full well about the defect to these vehicles and didn’t publicly provide a mailed recall to customers like they were always doing for these same vehicles in the recent past. GM told service advisors of the recall with only a couple months that they could mention it to the customer only if there was a reported issue about the oil consumption or if other problems may have been related to the oil issue.

During a pandemic when majority of the Canadian population is working at home, not driving, not needing vehicles serviced regularly - you would hope that if a serious issue such as this that poses a safety risk while that vehicle is operating… you’d really hope GM would be smart and provide clients with plenty of information regarding this to ensure if they are affected that they get this problem resolved in a timely manner! So without receiving a recall letter, and after months being stuck at home, I take the car to the shop because oil was an issue and I needed to be diligent with it… I get there to discover GM has a recall letter for that issue but apparently it expired not long prior. I call and they refused to offer me any kind of financial relief to fix this issue.

Later I learn that there is an active class action lawsuit in progress and my vehicle falls victim in the list of affect vehicles - no shocker there!! The worst part is looking back in hindsight- I bout this vehicle used from the dealership in 2016. GM has been privy to this defect apparently since as early as 2009 with other ecotech engines and thus - the inclusion of my vehicle. Dealership gave me a carfax report and no accidents to that particular vehicle. I needed this vehicle and I signed up for it thinking it was safe. Now I can’t help but think - these oil issues were noted to GM as early as 09’. It be safe to assume the previous owner of what is now my problem likely caught early wind of the issue and traded it in for something better. Why isn’t the dealership telling customers about the issue when they know about it?

Ya - I’ll be in the class action members group awaiting my $$ damages or a new car or a new engine!!

- Heather H., Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #103

Nov 212019

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 156,000 miles

I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox that has excessive oil consumption and GM will not do anything about this. I tried to take them to court and of course they won. There's multiple complaints, multiple lawsuits and they still get away with this crap - there needs to be another lawsuit against them, class action. Do not buy these vehicles.

- Cathy M., Brown City, MI, Dominica

problem #102

Jan 152016

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I've have the ongoing problem of excessive oil consumption in my 2012 Equinox. I purchased it in 2015, and a year later due to this issue, my manifold cracked. Luckily I was under warranty and it was fixed. This is when I was inconveniently informed about the excessive oil. I recently had to replace yet another manifold. GM as well GM services have been aware of this problem and pay the cost to repair the sensors, rings, etc.

- Samantha Y., Dowagiac, MI, US

problem #101

Dec 222021

Equinox Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

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

My last two oil changes were done and I was warned the oil was being consumed rapidly. They said to check back around 1000 miles again. Sure enough, oil was very low and my mechanic recommended reaching out to GM.

- Kasondra C., Lansdale, PA, US

problem #100

Feb 122016

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

This is a really awful problem since it is preventing us to travel with this car any long distance. We are always concerned how much oil is left and what status is the quality of oil in the engine. We have a big pack of new oil ready all the time to add once every two or three weeks.

- Majid G., Poway, CA, US

problem #99

Nov 012018

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

GM knows that their 2.4 litter Equinox has oil consumption issues, yet they have done nothing proactive to repair the cars with these issues.

- George C., West Covina, US

problem #98

Nov 082019

Equinox LT 2.4L , V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

I've had nothing but problems from this car since I bought it, from a local dealer. The oil problem has been there since day 1... The engine started making funny noises within the last few weeks. My engine light comes on and it goes to reduce power, and my stabilizer bar light come on. The car will only allow me to driver 25 mph. When I'm sitting at a stop sign or red light, it jerks like crazy and stalls out every time. It stalls out every time I put in reverse. My mechanic tells me the engine is in such bad shape, there's no fixing it. The motor needs to be replaced... And I was told it's going to cost me about 2500.00 to do so.

I'm not working so how am I going to come up with that kind of money? How am I suppose to get to work, or fix this car if I don't have reliable transportation to get to work?

- James M., Willard, US

problem #97

Aug 282019

Equinox LTZ 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

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

I bought my Chevy Equinox from a used car dealership but had it looked at before purchasing by a mechanic. Of course we checked the oil and it looked like it had very recently been topped off with new oil. About 3 weeks after purchasing, we took it on a trip about 3 hours away and by the time we had come back home (4 days later), the engine was knocking very badly. We checked the oil and it was bone dry!!

I've had to put oil in this Equinox almost every 1000 miles because the engine begins knocking due to LOW OIL.There are no oil leaks. We've checked numerous times to be sure. I really think GM needs to fix this issue since they seem to already know their equipment is faulty. If GM is willing to fix their mistakes, I would be willing to purchase another GM vehicle, but if they won't fix their mistakes, I will NEVER purchase from them again, nor will I give good recommendations.

- Brooke W., Valdese, US

problem #96

Mar 212020

Equinox LT 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 176,949 miles

I have to check the oil every couple of days I got the oil changed and it isn't supposed to be changed for another 6 days but car was running really bad, so I checked the oil and it wasn't reading on the dipstick.

- Brittany W., Crestview, FL, US

problem #95

Oct 102020

Equinox LX 2.4L L4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,068 miles

I started noticing the excessive oil consumption last year in October, when I took the car in for an oil change. The mechanic told me it was low on oil when it came in. After 2-3 months went by, I noticed a knocking in the engine and asked my husband what he thought. He checked the oil and it was 2 quarts low. We figured the mechanic didn't fill it up to normal capacity, so we added 2 quarts. Another 2-3 months passed by. I typically drive to and from work 130 miles a week, 520-600 total a month including local errands. This time the car was 2 quarts low again. There is no sign of leaking oil in the driveway, and I just had the car smog checked a few months ago, and it passed with no issues. I am very concerned that the car will wear out much sooner than it should, and need to the engine rebuilt. What can I do about this car burning that much oil?

- Sonyang D., Corona, CA, US

problem #94

Oct 012019

Equinox LS 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Constantly have to check and add oil. Mechanic said that the piston rings need to be replaced.

- Brian B., Converse, US

problem #93

Jul 142020

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles

I purchased my 2012 Equinox from a used car dealership May 16, 2020 with a 156,000 miles. I got an oil change on May 18, 2020. June 21,2020 I added about 3/4 quart of oil. July 14, 2020 I checked my oil before making a 6hr drive and had to add 1 quart. Dashboard shows 75% oil life. Now my check engine light is on and reading Po420 code emissions catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1. I don’t have a visible oil leak. My guess is that catalyst converter is damaged due to oil.

- Rachele B., Isola, US

problem #92

Feb 282020

Equinox LTZ 2.4L Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,600 miles

It's a known problem for GM/Chevrolet yet they play have played the wait and hope the problem will go away. They've known about it for years but refuse to stand behind their workmanship. For this car with no engine compression they could actually be safe both behind the car and in front of it because the damn thing won't move. I am left with few options. Pay for their mistake myself or dump a low-mileage vehicle for something that is better. Personally I'm thinking of parking the vehicle adjacent to a local dealer with a large lemon display affixed to the roof. I blame GM and hate to have a local dealer receive the brunt of my anger but GM doesn't give a crap.

- D. M. L., Madison, US

problem #91

Jun 192019

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

This problem started approximately June of 2019 with approximately 56000 miles on the vehicle, the engine light came on by reading a hand held analyzer, 2 different ones, one by Auto Zone and one by an auto shop owner I replaced a knock sensor shortly afterwards with only a few more miles on the car the engine light came on again thinking it read the same thing thinking we had a bad knock sensor we replaced it again. Then in about a month or so later with not many more miles on the car the engine light came on again the read out this time was a couple different things, the exhaust camshaft position timing actuator solenoid and the intake camshaft position actuator solenoid, these were very costly $43.99 each, approximately a month or two after that the engine light comes on again, the read out was the same as above I replaced both of them again then approximately a month later the engine light comes on again, I replaced them for the third time, which they are in the car now. Fortunately these were under a lifetime warranty and I was able to change them myself or the labor would have been outrageous and in all of these readouts various information came up on the information screen, such as tighten the gas cap, several times. I replaced the gas cap, it made no difference. It still came up on the screen and to this day it is still on the screen.

The latest and most important problem, which is still going on and I feel that it is the same problem with the engine and the recall on it and complaints by everyone as reading as the same as mine, the engine light is on again and this light may go off for one day a week and a month or so but always comes back on and the information on the car screen shows various things that are wrong with it. Gas cap need tightened and the anti skid picture comes on,etc.

Then the engine started knocking, previously I had changed the oil at least at 5,000 miles regularly since I've had the car so with the engine knocking, first thing I did was check the oil, there was no oil on the dipstick, it was completely dry, I was close to a Walmart so I had the oil changed and I had had it changed prior to this approximately two months before. About a month later the car was running rough and it would die on me and was hard starting and again various things came up on the screen and the engine light came on again the engine started knocking again, I checked and there was no oil on the dipstick again it was completely dry so I had it changed again thinking the first time it was leaking from the oil filter or the drain plug wasn't tight, each time we checked under the car, could find no oil under the car so I put two quarts of cheap oil in the car enough to get me to have it changed again, the last 2 times I put high priced synthetic blend oil in, which we now have in at this time. NOTE: Very importantly, all of these times the oil light, not the engine light, did not come on to tell me I was low on oil or needed an oil change.

I have just recently taken the car to the Chevy Dealer in Terre Haute, Indiana where I purchased the car and explained this to the assistant manager, I had previously left this message by phone on the service mgr. voicemail and asked him to call me, he never did so that is when I went up there. The assistant service manager told me corporate wouldn't let them do anything about it and this so-called fix or recall had stopped 6 months ago and by the mileage I had on it 90,128 they couldn't help me. He said I had 2 different problems , which I do not believe and I think he knows it's not true, it's all related to the one problem of the engine, especially after reading all the complaints and lawsuit against GM now in progress to this year and engine (several years) all they did was knock aftermarket parts (Auto Zone, NAPA ) wanting you to buy all GM parts I have registered a complaint with Corporate GM in Michigan and have a case number waiting on them to give me a call or email I am hoping that they can help resolve this so it doesn't cost me anymore money and headaches.

I have the car parked and am driving my daughter's car because it is too dangerous. I was likely to have never got it off the highway this time because it kept dying. I would hope nobody would ever buy this vehicle even though I understand they have changed the engine. Most of my family (8) have gone from GM fans and owners to Dodge products, trucks and cars, within the last year. I hope some people read this and take heed of a billion dollar corporation not putting out a quality product, they have gone downhill.

- Doyle S., Shelburn, US

problem #90

Oct 202018

Equinox LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I purchased a 2012 used Equinox. I love the car, but it uses too much oil! My personal mechanic has recommended that I trade my car because certain years of Equinox cars use oil, and several other owners have had to replace timing belts. He is trying to help me avoid a car problem. This is causing a financial problem for me, because I still owe quite a bit on the 2012 Equinox. I thought the Chevrolet car would be a good product. I will be looking at other makes for my next purchase.

- Betty S., Bostic, NC, US

problem #89

Oct 092019

Equinox LX 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

Okay, so as far as I know, every single damn ecotech engine from 2007 up is a real p.o.s. Mine runs great, but uses the hell out of oil. Every 3 to 4 days, I'm paying 5 dollars for a quart of oil to put in my equinox. I love my car. It's a really good ride, only I never have to have the oil changed, because it does it on it's own, hahaha. Seriously, what the hell should we, the great American gm owners have to do before the corporate office will fix this? I'm a loyal customer, I own 2. One is a 2000 Blazer 2 door, 2 wheel drive, that has close to 300,000 miles with no major mechanical problems.

Why couldn't yall just leave great alone and stuck with the 4.3? I don't know of anyone else who owns one that has had this problem like the ecotech engine. Some b.s. G.M., listen. You guys make amazing, great looking cars. Don't cut expenses by lowering the standards of the engine platforms. In the end, your loosing money because it costs to replace these lemon engines. I'll be a chevy girl till death. But if you want to keep loyalty, up the game. Thank you, have a great day 🤗!

- Jessica S., Whiteside, TN, US

problem #88

May 052017

Equinox 2.4L Ecotech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

My Chevy was running great until the oil consumption. Since then we have a o2 sensors issue and pvc has blew twice... now we can't even get out vehicle fixed.

- Laura S., Fort Wayne, IN, US

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