2012 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems
- 221
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 221 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 21 records
- check engine · 19 records
- main seal · 18 records
- timing chain · 17 records
- rear main · 16 records
- light came · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 76 |
| 100–150k mi | 46 |
| 30–60k mi | 43 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
TIMING CHAIN BROKE
ODI 11091705
Engine
I have a 2012 chevrolet equinox with the excessive oil consumption defect cause by defective piston seals. It came on out of nowhere with only 78k miles on the car. We were driving 2 hours home, and half a mile after we exited the highway, while we were sitting in a drive-thru, our engine died entirely due to this defect. If it had happened a minute sooner, my car would have died on the highway, and my family would…
ODI 11093256
Body · Electrical System · Engine
More than once while driving i have gotten power steering warnings while driving, vehicle locked up in the process and took all of my might to turn and get to the side of the road. I have constant oil changes and was issued a recall letter that the oil censor was off last may and the dealership said no such recall existed. Recently my mechanic says the timing is off, an engine power reduced warning has come up more…
ODI 11091545
Engine
Using oil. Not leaking from car. Continuously putting in oil every 500 miles
ODI 11301905
Engine
While driving on the dan ryan expressway during rush hour traffic, engine continued dying out. Got off the expressway and took side streets home to a mechanic who showed no oil in engine. Oil life still read 40%. Dealerships know about an oil consumption issue with these 2.4 engines and only told dealerships to repair after an oil consumption test is performed. Gm never issued a notice to consumers only dealerships.…
ODI 11089885
Engine
2012 equinox, driving and engine rumbled before losing power. Attempted to restart, and engine failed. Brought in for service at dealership (~96400 miles) and the timing chain was failed causing permanent damage to the valve. Full engine replacement necessary. If driving on highway or busy intersection, could have been a major safety concern. Very lucky to be able to pull aside safely. Gm refuses to do anything…
ODI 11088612
Engine
My vehicle has been stalling any time i slow down to pull into a parking space, come to a stop at a light or slow down. My mechanic says its a problem with the equinox they say its an on going issue that they see. I also have to add oil every week or so because it becomes extremely low even though it says i have oil on my dash gauges.i have always kept up my oil changes, very rough sounding . Very low miles under…
ODI 11098121
Engine
In september of 2017 i purchased a used 2012 chevy equinox with 52753 miles on. It appeared to be in excellent condition. At 54502 miles the change engine oil message displayed on the dash. According to the dealer sticker in the window it was not due until 57620. When i checked the oil it was bone dry. There was not a drop of oil on the dipstick. I had to put in almost 3 quarts. I called the local garage and was…
ODI 11085024
Engine
I have had my engine rebuilt from dealership i bought it from due to oil disappearing and found it coming out of my exhaust! Sense the repair i had to go back to dealership several times and also do a oil consumption test. Now i have oil coming out of my exhaust still and and when i change my oil it smells like gasoline! Been having this issue ever sense i have bought the car and i got my catalytic converters…
ODI 11278483
Engine
The car has only 82,000 miles and the timing chain is shot. This is a common problem in the equinox caused by bad valve rings which gm admits to but won't fix rings without an oil consumption test of 3,000 miles. I've added 3 quarts of oil since the last oil change (only 2,000 miles ago). There is no oil leak. The dealer (atlantic chevrolet, bayshore, ny) has had my car for 3 days but won't repair the timing chain…
ODI 11080694
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the rear main seal failed to remain connected, which caused an oil leak. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired by an independent mechanic who replaced the rear main seal. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. *tt
ODI 11094027
Engine
My chevrolet dealer would not honor tsb 14882 and diagnose and repair my vehicle free of charge. The reason given is that the tsb is vin specific and my car does not have the exact engine designated in the tsb. However, it is a chevrolet inline 4 cylinder engine that exhibits the identical symptoms as in the tsb. This tsb should be extended to cover all chevrolet 4 cylinder engines in the designated model years.
ODI 11075494
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had no oil. The oil was replaced; however, the following day, the vehicle failed to operate. The vehicle was towed to ken waschke auto plaza (501 9th st n, virginia, mn) where…
ODI 11092500
Engine · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
Check engine light goes off and on. Vehicle often stalls upon stopping and at times has an extremely hard decel, which continues after the key is taken out of the ignition. Vehicle idles hard. Upon parking, vehicle has suddenly reported reduced engine power" and " check stabili trak" not allowing the vehicle to go over 40 mph.
ODI 11074934
Engine · Steering · Wheels
I purchased a 2012 gm equinox on sept. 6, 2017 sept 9 my check engine light came on and vehicle was low on oil ' we added oil sept 13 i had a tire claim due to tires being 'dry rotted' per dealership. Oct 19 car started driving funny, stalling ' stopped in middle of road with my 18 month old son and my 8 year old disabled daughter. Had to call someone to come. When checked vehicle had almost no oil in it again. Oct…
ODI 11073888
Engine
Vehicle was being driven on the tollway on a snowy evening with the temperature around 5 degrees. Suddenly the vehicle started losing power and shaking and stalled in a lane of traffic and was unable to be restarted. This was a very unsafe situation as the visibility was poor due to the heavy snow and our vehicle was disabled and blocking a traffic lane. We had the vehicle towed to a repair shop which was able to…
ODI 11075395
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. After filling the vehicle with fuel, the contact noticed that the pcv valve heater was burning oil. The failure occurred twice. During the third failure, the cover detached and blew out the main seal. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to defouw chevrolet (320 sagamore pkwy s, lafayette, in 47905,…
ODI 11067422
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
When my vehicle is in motion i am not getting the amount of power i should be receiving once i press on the gas. I believe the timing is off and i have a code: p0013 issue, actuator circuit, cam shaft position. I have seen a recall to the 2011 model for the same reasons and i'm sure my vehicle is having the same issues.
ODI 11104701
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle would suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer white bear lake chevrolet([redacted]. Fe, white bear lake, mn) where it was diagnosed that parts of the engine were damaged due to an oil consumption failure. The engine actuator, the catalytic converter, the engine pistons and the timing chain were all…
ODI 11207437
Engine
While driving on interstate on 2/1/18 my oil light came on so i pulled over as quick as i could and shut off the car. I live in nd and it was below zero and it has been extremely cold. Not sure what happened or why there was a pile of oil under my car i got it towed to the shop to find out my rear main seal blew out. The technician told me that there were ice crystals around the main seal and there was nothing that…
ODI 11072866
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a rapid oil consumption failure. Also, the engine shook and vibrated while idling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (medbev chevrolet, 11001 w. I-[redacted] n, wheat ridge, co) where it was diagnosed that the timing belt had stretched and needed to be replaced. While repairing the timing belt, the mechanic…
ODI 11072676
Engine
Excessive oil consumption recall for new pistons and rings received one month after purchase. Day after picking up my vehicle, my check engine light turned on. Dealership told me that the camshaft intake solenoid was throwing a code and needed to be replaced but it had nothing to do with where they working, i paid out of pocket. Next day, check engine light came back on however, this time the traction control light…
ODI 11071652
Engine
12 jan 18 i was driving my equinox on the highway when the stability light, check engine light and a message "reduced power" came on. The next day i took it to the dealer and they said the rear main seal failed and damaged to the engine of a tune of $5500 to $6000 (new engine requires). He stated it was caused by the extreme cold weather we are having. I am calling gm tomorrow because a vehicle with 74500 miles…
ODI 11063655
Engine
During a bitter cold evening, the pvc orifice froze and pressure built up within the engine and forced the rear main seal to be pushed out, resulting in complete oil loss. This happened when the temperature was below 15 degrees f. This is a well know issue with the model but the gm dealership saws that my vin is not one included with the recall. It does have the same engine as the recall, a 2.4l ecotec.
ODI 11150969
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine seized. The vehicle was then towed to burke motor group ([redacted], cape may court house, nj) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure…
ODI 11061610