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
Recently my car caught on fire while my husband and i were driving. We own a 2012 equinox 2.4l. We didn't know until now that this engine is known for having extreme issues with a pcv valve and because of this design flaw the valve gets clogged up. It makes your engine build up pressure and then a crankcase seal blows (in our case is was the rear). This is something known to gm. There is a service bulletin out for…
Fire reported
ODI 11063145
Engine
On a cold sub 0 degree day 1/5/2018 i was traveling on the expressway and without warning the vihical a 2012 equinox suddenly started smoking out the exhaust profusely. After a tow into the dealer it was found that the pcv valve stuck closed and built up pressure and blow out the rear main seal. A problem that gm has known about . ( service bulletin # 14882) this has cost me almost $3,100 and could have been…
ODI 11065554
Electrical System · Engine
Since i purchased the vehicle in september 2014 i have had three instances where the car has stalled while driving. Twice it was related to cam sensors and a check engine light came on. This most recent time on 1/5/2018 the car was idling funny and stalled out no lights on dash. I just got an oil change one week prior. As i was trying to make it to my mechanic i heard an awful noise from the engine i had never heard…
ODI 11061173
Engine · Visibility/Wiper
2012 chevy equinox was making a knocking noise took it to my mechanic. It was out of oil before my oil change was due. I had 1000 miles left before my oil change. This is the second time this has happened within 6 months. Contacted gmc today got s case number but have to wait for it to happen again and take it to a gmc dealer for a diagnostic test. Then today during a snow storm my windshield wipers just stopped…
ODI 11058562
Engine
Plugged pcv orifice in intake manifold during cold weather, causing a blown rear crankshaft seal.
ODI 11071770
Engine · Power Train
There was an issue with a valve in the engine that can become plugged in cold weather. Only certain vin's were covered. My vehicle had the identical problem as the ones that were recalled had. However, because my vin was not part of the recall gm would not cover my repair costs.
ODI 11079103
Engine
Equinox very suddenly started running roughly and making a "knocking" noise from the engine and acted as if engine wanted to stall while idling. Low engine oil light came on, we stopped for oil and added oil. Started equinox up, low engine oil light was no longer on. Drove the equinox for approximately ten (10) minutes when it made a horrendous shuddering noise, engine warning light came on stating "stop engine…
ODI 11066077
Engine
I was on my lunch break at my work, parked in the parking lot with my vehicle on and running. All of a sudden, my vehicle shuts off and will not turn on. Come to find out it's something to do with my engine. The vehicle only has 105,654 miles on it and had oil. One problem we know so far is that this particular engine burned through oil like it was nothing. I haven't even owned the car for a year and this happened.…
ODI 11061432
Engine
My vehicle was burning excessive amounts of oil. I took it in because it was running poorly, they discovered it was 3 quarts low on oil, and then had me track my oil consumption (by checking the oil once a week for 2,000 miles). Chevrolet had a recall for this issue (only if your car was experiencing this) and luckily it was covered to be fixed. However, because of the excessive oil consumption, i have had other…
ODI 11073115
Engine · Power Train
My 2012 chevy equinox completely shut off, without any warning, while i was driving. No check engine light, no oil warning, nothing. The vehicle just died, in the middle of the road and wouldn't restart. It has less than 50,000 miles on it. I heard a knocking/rattling from the engine in sept., checked the oil & it was bone dry! According to letter 16118 from gm, i was to take my vehicle to a dealership if this…
ODI 11054473
Engine
My truck consumes oil every week, depending on if i did highway driving or not. I took my truck in for a oil consumption test and they stated every thing was ok, but its not. I put oil in this truck at least once a week. I wanted to take this truck on the road but cant not due it using excessive oil. I feel that tim lally is playing games. They know the problem but wont fix it.
ODI 11089822
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While driving 15 mph, the rpms fluctuated and the engine failed. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft injector sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired, but was taken to sandman brothers, inc. (56 e broadway st, shelbyville, in 46176 [redacted]) for a second…
ODI 11051499
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Had my car in 3 times in the last 6 months for work done. Had the main rear oil seal replaced along with the catalytic converters first time, second time was after i picked up had to take it back in due to a seal leaking and letting exhaust into the cabin of the car where they had the car for over a week before they even called me back, then finally the third had to take it back in on nov 13, 2017 due to another oil…
ODI 11051588
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Car engine stumbled 5 times this year while driving in the city while in motion 35-45 mph. Wouldn't accelerate. Feels like it stays stuck and wont move. Last incident 1 nov 2017.
ODI 11051385
Engine
We received a "satisfaction" letter regarding the oil consumption and stability light on this vehicle. The engine burns oil constantly and the 2d cylinder misfires due to this. The car has gone into "limp" mode several times and when it does it idles extremely high and we have to take the water out of the reservoir and change the spark plug in order for the car to "reset". This is not a "satisfaction" issue; it's a…
ODI 11041965
Electrical System · Engine
My 2012 equinox is currently dead at a chevy dealership. Here is the history: on october 20, 2017 the engine of my 2012 equinox blew at 109,866 miles when key was turned. The engine blew because was absolutely no oil in my engine and no leaks were present. I did not see any lights saying there was an oil problem. In fact, my dashboard read that i had enough oil before the next oil change was needed. I recently…
ODI 11044309
Engine
Excessive oil consumption, stalling, reduced power engine light contatly coming on.
ODI 11036069
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
I was driving with my wife and dog in the car late at night in cold iciey conditions in wyoming. Car began to lose power dramatically, steering was tight, lights dimmed, also engine stalled after a bit a of a slide and safely pulling over. We could have wrecked in the middle of nowhere in the icey cold temperatures. Engine light was one. Traction control light was on. Dash reads 'service stabilitrak' and 'engine…
ODI 11073040
Engine
Valve on engine is loose causing engine to rattle and make loud noises when starting and driving. Engine is shaking can't afford to replace engine too much money just got the car still owe $14,000 on the car not under warranty any longer according to warranty company.
ODI 11014792
Engine
I have had my car for 2 years and in two years i have had to get the catalytic converter replaced also the tensioner belt the o2 sensors and a few other things replaced. My chevy equinox is a lemon and a few other people i know has said the same thing i wish i never purchased this car and i'm stuck with the $14,000 lemon that i can't get rid of.
ODI 11012948
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Every time i stop at a stop light or a stop sign my car will start idling really bad and will come up with the code engine stability. If i do not put it in neutral the car will stall. It does have 131000 miles on it and i had to replace the manifold twice and the timing belts, upstream 02 sensor and have had my mechanic look at it three times. Every time he has replaces some different sensors and for the first few…
ODI 11034218
Engine · Power Train
Chevy equinox 2012, but the truck a month ago, notice a rattle noise on the engine, after a month +1000 miles driving, need to add 2q of oil, today 7/17 has no oil. Take it to sierra chevrolet on monrovia, the person on service department, mention that i need to pay $150 for diagnostic the problem, + need to pay 3 oil change to see if this truck has the issue mention on bulletin: 13-06-01-003f. Why i need to pay for…
ODI 11006478
Electrical System · Engine · Exterior Lighting
This vehicle frequently loses charge on battery battery and alternator are new. Vehicle has less than 70k miles also throws up computer codes radio turns on and off when it wants to. I purchased it used with 40k miles and has been a problem since. I have quotes for over 2k in repairs and was told at time of purchase all recalls were cared for. Was purchased certified preowned from a dealership. Every time i fix…
Crash reported
ODI 11166602
Engine
Was told by my mechanic the vehicle was burning oil. Found out in may 2017 that chevy is aware of a defective piston ring problem that causes this. They have been aware since at least 2015. Waited 2 years to notify me by mail. When i went to a dealer to have problem fixed i was told vehicle has too many miles on it. It would not have had too many miles had i benn notified 2 years ago!
ODI 11000160
Engine
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…
ODI 10990610