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
Sitting at red light, idling became a little rough, when light turned green i tried to go and the vehicle completely shut off. Started it back up and it did it again; took 3 times before it cranked and stayed cranked. This has happened to me now about three different times at red light and stop sign. I am afraid to drive my vehicle, that it may not restart or that i may be in traffic and end up getting in an…
ODI 10991215
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Oil consumption test showed motor using oil before 1000 miles.i had purchased an additional warranty but it isn't worth the paper it's written on.i have looked over other complaints online about these cars and there are numerous complaints on this issue with this car. Have also had to replace gas cap twice on the car so the engine light would stay off
ODI 11022851
Engine
This vehicle has known oil consumption issues. In april 2016 the vehicle was lurching and shaking. During service of the vehicle they stated the oil was low, which has been on ongoing issue. We were advised to bring it back in august for an oil consumption test. We took it in for the oil consumption test. Now in may 2017 we are experiencing the same issues. Interestingly enough the dealership now has no record of…
ODI 10991769
Engine
I have a 2012 chevy equinox that i have owned since aug. 2015. The car uses excessive oil, two or more quarts between oil changes on my four cylinder engine. A web search found this to be a very common problem. Chevy came up with the idea that this was a normal condition, but any back yard mechanic knows different. After all the complaints chevy finally issued a technical service bulletin on excessive oil use. I…
ODI 11006606
Engine
Engine light comes on. .....car dies, put it in park and restart it, engine light on, car moves with shudder. I am being told it is not a sensor but something in the car's computer. Fearful car will die in traffic and create accident or leave my granddaughter stranded. Other owners are experiencing same issue with no resolution from dealer service departments per internet sites/searches
ODI 10984379
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle rattled and made a host of noises, which indicated that there was no oil in the vehicle. The contact stated that two quarts of oil were placed in the vehicle, but it prematurely dissipated before the intended mileage mark. The contact stated that oil was added to the vehicle three times in a short period of time. The vehicle was taken…
ODI 10990603
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While driving 55 mph, the electrical system failed and the contact had to use force to control the steering. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that there was an oil leak, the rear main seal needed to be replaced, and the pvc valve needed to be cleaned. The…
ODI 11185424
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While the vehicle was being diagnosed for the stability and service engine soon indicators illuminating the technician informed the contact of water leaking in the area near the spare tire. The vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic for the leaking. The contact also stated that there was a mildew odor in the vehicle. The manufacturer provided…
ODI 10983470
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and advised the contact to file a complaint with nhtsa. The…
ODI 10978903
Engine
On april, 13 2017, my wife was exiting the highway on the way home from work. The vehicle immediately slowed and shut down nearly causing her to be run over by a semi-tractor behind her. Because the car could not be re-started, i had it towed to my usual mechanic. His diagnosis showed it had a timing chain failure which tore up the upper end of the motor. In his experience such damage was the result of oil issues.…
ODI 10972400
Engine
I have 64,633 miles on the car the engine started to knock when starting. The dealer verified noise on start up and constant noise wihile idling and found noise from balance shaft chain and can gears..dealer replaced the balance shaft chain, balance shaft chain actuators, necessary gaskets, seals, and bolts. Also because of this had to get a transmission fluid with total fluid exchange and transmission fluid…
ODI 10992973
Engine
Car idles rough when stopped jerks during acceleration then stalls there are no check engine lights on.
ODI 10972354
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
At times it seems like the transmission doesn't shift properly when starting to accelerate. It's as if it's not sure what gear to go into. Currently i have an engine light on and it stalls frequently. If i slow down or start to accelerate it will stall. I'm afraid i'm going to get rear ended by someone! It also blows out white smoke from the exhaust. I seem to be adding oil more often than i should.
ODI 10995291
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Power Train
My car shut down while i was driving. I have been having problems with the check engine light coming on.. I am afraid to drive it. I am having it towed to the dealership tomorrow. I am driving a rental. I will never buy another product from this company. I have been reading the complaints. Why have this suv not been recalled. Are they waiting for someone to be killed before they do this?
ODI 10970024
Engine · Power Train
Excessive oil consumption leads to chugging, dying & blowing codes. You have to check the oil at every fill up or the actuators & the selenoid fail which then retards the timing & tilts the cam shaft. I was driving home when i felt it power down & almost stall out. There are hundreds of complaints via google on this. This is the 3rd time in 14 months that mine has been in the shop. They need to fix the problem not…
ODI 11112020
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the check oil engine warning indicator illuminated. The contacted assumed that the oil needed to be changed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 94,000.
ODI 10965912
Engine
Timing chain failures at a relatively low mileage, between 50000 to 60000 miles which is unheard of , it makes the vehicle stall , ours did in the busiest part of wichita fall tx . Which is very dangerous , and im being told this is a common failure on these vehicles , timing chains should last a whole lot longer than that and its going to get someone killed , ive asked chevorlet if the new parts are an upgrade to…
ODI 10980315
Engine
I had driven my car to work without a problem which is about 2 miles from my house. After work i went to the store again with no problem. When i backed out of the parking space my car stalled. I put it in park and restarted it, but once i put it in reverse again it shook, and stalled. I restarted it again and gave it a little more gas, then put it in gear to back up. Now the check engine light is on. It wasn't on…
ODI 10958995
Engine
Check engine light came on. Car had been idling rough and would almost stall out at red lights. Also made a ticking noise when pressing on the accelerator at about 20-25 mph. I took it to the mechanic and he found the oil level low. Performed an oil change and cleared the diagnostic code. He also gave me information pertaining to this excessive oil consumption bulletin. Now i will have to check my oil level and make…
ODI 10958475
Engine · Power Train
My 2012 equinox began burning excessive oil. I had to add oil between oil changes. The vehicle exhibited the exact same issues as under the gm customer satisfaction #12312a which initially only covered the 2010 to 2011 equinox. This same issue is also covered under technical service bulletin #13-06-01-003h. Based on this issue, my vehicle was in motion on a city street started so sputter while driving and finally…
ODI 10957450
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Consumes too much oil. Camshaft issues. The car has issues properly switching gears in automatic and there is a delay or shaking/jutter at times. Even when the car is idle is has a strange sound to it. Car also has issue with accelerating. I will push the gas down and it doesn't switch gears fast enough. This happens all the time in everyday city and rural driving.
ODI 10956633
Engine
I purchased this pre-owned equinox september 30. In december i found out from my mechanic that there is an oil consumption problem. It's not leaking oil, it's using oil. He printed out documentation that shows 2012 equinox vehicles have this oil consumption problem due to faulty piston and piston ring installation. I brought it to my local gmc/chevy dealer and he said there is nothing that gmc will do for me and…
ODI 10956284
Engine · Power Train
2012 chevy equinox. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for vehicle repairs. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle smelled hot, stalled, and made a banging noise. It began chugging and died. The pcv was cleaned and the main bearing oil seal was replaced. *js
ODI 11024428
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While at a stop light the car started shaking violently,bucking then died it did restart and ran fine for a few days & did it again i'm afraid of getting rear ended or worse when this happens again no advance warning no trouble codes
ODI 10949719
Engine
Was driving car home to st louis from chicago, started car fine, drove about 1.5 miles on local road prior to merging onto hwy, and car began to shake and shudder, low oil light came on, parked car, oil leaked out of car. *tr
ODI 10947381