Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Problems

Equinox owners have made 2,325 complaints over 16 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant engine and hvac concerns.

5 Common Chevrolet Equinox Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Equinox owners have to deal with.

  1. 2.4L Ecotec Oil Consumption

    A series of unfortunate design decisions allow oil to end up in the combustion chamber of the 2.4L Ecotec engine. And a less-than-impressive oil monitoring system doesn't do anything to warn owners about dangerously low oil levels until it'…

    Continue reading article "2.4L Ecotec Oil Consumption" An illustrated oil bottle pouring out a yellow-green oil.

  2. Delayed Acceleration Problems

    Many Chevrolet generations suffer from delayed acceleration due to a slow response in the drive-by-wire electronic throttle system. The throttle lag can be frustrating at best, but can also leave drivers in dangerous situations. Unfortunate…

    Continue reading article "Delayed Acceleration Problems" A snail on the road

  4. Takata Recalls

    A large number of Chevy vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

    Continue reading article "Takata Recalls" A crash test dummy about to hit an airbag with the Takata logo superimposed on top.

What Equinox Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Equinox Generations

The Equinox has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (2010–2017).

Equinox Key Numbers

  1. 2,325 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 2,531 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 20 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Equinox Class-Action Lawsuits

The Equinox has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settlement

    Sanchez, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Settlement

      A GM oil consumption settlement has been approved by a federal judge for customers of 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs equipped with 2.4-liter Ecotec engines.

    2. Case Filed

      Plaintiffs Patrick Sanchez, Mark Stauber, Sally Stauber, Jacob Ross-Demmin and Jennifer Herrington filed the proposed class-action lawsuit about 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles with EcoTech 2.4-liter engines.

  • Settlement

    Ellen Berman and Dayana Guach, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Settlement

      A GM oil consumption settlement has been approved by a federal judge for customers of 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs equipped with 2.4-liter Ecotec engines.

    2. Case Filed

      A Chevy Equinox Ecotec engine lawsuit alleges the piston rings, spray jets and PCV systems all contribute to oil consumption and engine damage. In addition, owners allege the SUVs don't have adequate warning systems to protect the vehicles from negative effects of oil consumption problems.

Recent Equinox News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. A lawsuit says the 2.4L Ecotec engine in the 2010-2017 Equinox burns too much oil, knocks incessantly, has defective spark plugs, and is pre-disposed to timing chain issues that can lead to complete engine failure

    . But wait, there’s more…

    All of these problems are allegedly masked by an inadequate warning system that gives owners a false sense of security as their engine rips itself apart from the inside.

    Should I go on?…

    keep reading article "Is the Equinox’s 2.4L Ecotec Engine Defective? All Signs Point to Yes."

  3. Excess gas –– we’ve all had it, no-one likes it, and the same holds true for your braking system.

    GM says it needs to bleed the brake systems of 230,000 cars because the vehicles have rear brake caliper pistons that have hydrogen gas trapped inside that could be released into the brake systems. ZF, the manufacturer of the brake pistons, didn't properly temper and chrome-coat the pistons, causing hydrogen gas to remain trapped in the bodies of the pistons.

    This problem may cause your brake pedal to feel “spongy” but it’s unclear if it affects stopping distances.

    keep reading article "There is Excess Gas Buildup in the Brake Caliper Pistons of 230,000 GM Vehicles"

  5. A lawsuit says defective piston rings have been causing overheating and oil consumption issues in Equinox and Terrain vehicles since 2010.

    The allegedly faulty engines cause too much oil to enter the combustion chambers, something General Motors has allegedly known about since before 2010. The plaintiffs claim defective piston rings, including both “compression” and “oil” rings, can't handle the high compression ratios of the engines.

    The EcoTec’s 2.4-liter piston rings can’t maintain a good seal within the crankcase. That means more oil and more engines hitting the scrapheap.

    Guess it isn’t very eco-friendly after all.

    keep reading article "Equinox and Terrain Owners File Oil Consumption Lawsuit"

  6. It's no secret that the Equinox's 2.4-liter EcoTech engine has problems with excessive oil consumption.

    Now there's a lawsuit that wants Chevy to do something about it.

    In the end, the plaintiffs claim the EcoTec 2.4-liter piston rings can't maintain a sufficient seal within the crankcase. The engines also contribute to the oil consumption due to spray jets that spray oil onto the piston skirts and cylinder walls.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Equinox Piston Ring Problems Cause 2.4-Liter Engines to Consume Too Much Oil, Overheat, and Stall"

  7. GM is recalling 850 vehicles with improperly welded fuel pumps.

    The automaker says the joint that connects the fuel pump’s outer housing to the pump’s flange may not have been properly welded by the supplier. Over time, the weld could crack and cause a separation of the high-pressure fuel pump from the flange, allowing the pump to oscillate inside the engine compartment.

    The oscillating pump can bump into a nearby fuel line and calamity ensues.

    The recalled vehicles include the 2018 Chevy Colorado, Equinox, and Malibu, as well as the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, and GMC Acadia, Canyon, and Terrain.

    keep reading article "Oscillating Fuel Pumps Creating Fuel Leaks in 2018 GM Vehicles"

  8. The Bosch fuel pump that Chevrolet used in a small number of 2018 models is moving and creating a potential fuel-leak nightmare.

    GM says the joint that connects the fuel pump’s outer housing to the pump’s flange may not have been properly welded by the supplier.

    That weld could crack and cause a separation of the high-pressure fuel pump from the flange, allowing the pump to oscillate inside the engine compartment.

    The moving pumps can damage a high-pressure fuel line which is going to create an even higher-pressure situation when you start spraying flammable gas onto hot car parts.

    keep reading article "Leaking Bosch Fuel Pumps Recalled in 2018 Models"

See All Equinox News

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