This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The vehicle has been making strange noise and burning oil for the past year. We had it to the dealer in May 2019 and they informed us that it was something with the muffler that was not covered under the extended warranty. Fast forward to today, and the dealer told us that the timing chain and the PCV need to be cleaned for a total of 2100. But now the warranty has expired, and the reason for the problem is due to the excessive oil consumption which will lead to further problems. I am extemely dissatisfied with Chevrolet and their service.
Purchased vehicle approximately June 29, 2019 from Chevy dealer in roseville ca. About 3 months after I purchased vehicle I noticed the liftgate coming down by itself. I notified the dealer and set up an appointment to bring vehicle in. In the meantime the check engine light started coming on and staying on, so when I made the appointment I also mentioned this to the service agent. I took the vehicle in, as a drop in appointment because I stay over an hour away from where the vehicle was purchased. I;D happened to be in the area on this day, the vehicle was checked in and the service agent helping me asked could I leave the vehicle I at this time replied no, because of how far we'd traveled to get there I did not have a way home. I'd stated to him at this time when I'd brought the vehicle in before for service that I was provided a courtesy vehicle, he said that would not be possible and that I could rent a vehicle, I declined. The agent came outside to witness the liftgate going down on it's own and again asked if I wanted to leave the vehicle, I again stated to him I drove over 1 hour and I did not have a way to get home. He at this time stated he had 300 vehicles ahead of mine and it would take him some time to get to my vehicle. He was very rude and unprofessional while helping me. I asked to speak to his supervisor which I did and he also witnessed the liftgate going down on its own, we in turn went inside to check the warranty and extended warranty I had on the vehicle, however, I was told it had expired the prior month and did not cover them checking to see why the check engine light was coming on. I believe the dealership sold me an unsafe vehicle and they refuse to try to work something out. Recently, as I was in the rear of the parked vehicle the liftgate came down on my shoulder which required me to seek medical attention.
- Alameda, CA, USA
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Our Equinox has had a check engine light come on stating the oil level is low. Since we checked tsb's and had the dealer scan it and found excess consumption of oil was do to, camshaft position and timing system. This caused are vehicle to stall out in stationary locations. We asked Chevy to fix the issue but no recalls have been volunteered. We've had these issues since purchasing the vehicle March 2019.
Noise started to come from underneath car, then it wouldn't move. Was towed to dealer who identified problem as transfer case burned out. Car has 80,000 miles, recommended service is at 150,000 miles. Cost $2,000 to replace!
In motion driving to work entering onto two lane highway decelerated and not able to maintain speed limit. No warning lights came on car started sounding louder. Pull off and shut the car off got out and saw oil running out from under the car. Had to have car towed to repair shop.
Certified pre-owned 2013 Chevy Equinox purchased in 2015, Michigan.winter, 2018. While driving, my vehicle began to lurch while accelerating from a stop. At the next stop, the rpms bean to act erratic, teetering above and below 1000. The vehicle then completely stalled. This occurred several times on my way to my destination. Each time, as I accelerated, it lurched and I feared it would stall out. Took it into the dealer, they gave me a diagnostic that said spark plugs. Car drove ok for a month. Then a deep freeze came. Same issue occurred. I checked my oil (because these vehicles have a problem with oil consumption) pressurized air blew out of the dipstick, it was also 2 quarts low--I had just gotten my oil changed 4 weeks prior. Put some oil in and drove. Same issue. Stalled at busy intersection stop. Got to my destination to discover a trail of oil behind my vehicle. Got it towed to dealership. Diagnosed as a blown rear main seal due to a frozen PCV valve. This is a well-known issue with equinoxes, enough that there is a service bulletin (14882). My experience/symptoms match the condition description of the bulletin to a T, however, for some reason, my VIN does not fall under coverage for this engineering flaw. Chevy knows this is a safety issue, yet they still refuse to recall the vehicles. In the meantime, I'm stuck paying an $1800 bill to get the rear main seal fixed--without any regard for the PCV valve, crankcase, or oil consumption issue that contribute to the problem. Shame on GM.
Had oil change on Feb 5, 2019. Feb. 9, 2019 had someone ask if I had an oil leak. I saw a trail of oil up my driveway and into my garage. There was a massive amount of oil under my vehicle. Luckily it was stationary in the garage. If I hadn't had someone see it before I drove it again my engine would have seized up. There were no warning lights that came on. Weather conditions have been bad this year with record low temperatures, snow and icy roadways. If I had driven this with, my nine-year-old son and had been on the highway or interstate I drive everyday it could have been a dangerous situation. My PCV clogged from the accumulated moisture getting frozen. Chevy has a service bulletin (#14882) on this, however my VIN was not included. There are many complaints with the same problem that are also not included in the service bulletin.
Our 2013 Equinox had only 36,000 miles and in excellent condition. Never had an issue with oil consumption but recently in the cold weather the oil started literally running out between the engine and transmission. The vehicle started jerking on the hwy and the oil light went on. The car has regular maintenance and we could never imagine a 5yr old one owner vehicle with 36,000 miles would have oil leaking out of the rear main seal. Entered the VIN number to see if our vehicle was listed under recall 14882 and nothing is coming up. We were told by our mechanic friend that there were 5 other Equinox's with this issue during the crazy cold weather we had recently. $1,400 later. Others appear to be reporting similar issues at https://www.edmunds.com/Chevrolet/Equinox/2013/consumer-reviews/pg-4/?sorting=created%3adesc
The pvc valve and oil system has a bad design. When driving in cold weather the valve blows and oil completely empties. The vehicle was in motion on both street and highway. My vehicle only had 69,400 miles and is a 4 cylinder
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to diane sauer Chevrolet (700 niles rd SE, Warren, oh 44483, (330) 373-1600) and the contact was informed that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as listed in tsb number: 14882. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 88,000.
January 22nd 2019 my way to work at the last traffic light the car lurched forward with my foot on the brake I pulled in work and parked I left at 5:30 P.M remote started I was walking to my car it was loud I got in warning message to turn car off that the oil pressure was too low. Called aaa waited three hours in the cold with bronchitis and asthma called my mechanic I was having the car towed to his garage. January 25 mechanic said he thinks due to a frozen PCV valve there was pressure build up car spit the oil out he put oil in my car let it warm up he thought I should still have the dealer look at it. I drove the car not far to the dealer ganley rep came to waiting area told me the PCV valve froze and the high pressure blew my rear crankshaft seal the oil spilled out my battery was shot repair just under $ $2000 he said this fault did damage to my timing chain no guarantee how long the timing chain would hold recommended replacing $ $1500 I said do the seal and battery. I went home did google search Equinox 2013 PCV sp. Cov. Bulletin 14882 popped up it covered equinoxes between 2010-2014 not my VIN. Rep called said GM is willing to help me with the timing chain authorized it for $500. I told him what that bulletin said is exactly what happened with my car. Picked up my car Monday 02/04/19 and paid $ $2606.76. On 02/06/19 I called Chevy spoke to rep duke who gave me a reference number # 9-5037906721 told me a higher-level rep from Chevy would call me. On 02/07/19 adam called and said the phone call was being recorded. He said in a nice way that Chevy had already helped with $ $1000 towards the timing chain and I should be grateful for that because they were not going to help anymore. I told him this shouldn't have happened. Is this verbatim for the call no but then again, I wasn't working off a script or recording the phone call like Chevy is.
The vehicle blew a rear main seal from an accumulation of sludge in the manifold. GM knows about the problem and had issued a select special coverage that doesn't cover all equinoxes model years 2010-2014. This vehicle left the driver stranded and had to be towed. The repair cost was over 2100 dollars and GM has refused to cover the bill. The issue was well known to them as a design defect yet they are refusing the repair stating that it happened outside the warranty. Apparently only certain areas of the country were covered under their special coverage.
Smelled burning oil in garage. Checked under vehicle and noticed large puddle of oil and underside of rear engine soaked with it. Towed to dealership of purchase. Was notified that it was PCV value having moisture/condensation in it and freezing. This occurrence put pressure on the engine and seals. The rear seal connecting to the transmission is what failed. It was a cold day. The car was in a parking lot until end of shift. My wife said it did not start as fast as it normally does. There was not shuttering of the engine, no loud clacking sound and not one light icon lit up. I noticed a trail of oil into the garage in our driveway but no trail in the street. I assume it had just occurred when she was arriving home. She was braking to turn into our driveway. Her route from work is primarily state roads with speeds of 35-55 mph and very often has deer crossing the roads as there are no road noise barriers or tall fencing. She arriving home at the normal time but I was able to pick up our sons. So she was able to just go home. The weather was cold (approx. 6-8 degrees). I have no reports, invoices or photos as the car is currently still in the shop since Friday February 1st. Today is Wednesday February 6th 2019. I have found a lot of information online regarding this issue, tsb #14882. Seems to be very common.
PCV (pressurized crank case ventilation) system froze due to cold climate and poor design of the system.this issue caused the rear main seal of the motor to over pressurize which led to failure of the seal causing the motor to lose oil. The vehicle was in motion at time of the failure on a city street. The motor in my vehicle is not covered by General Motors, but all other 2.4L motors of this type are under some kind of coverage for the PCV system failure by GM. The defect with this motor is wide spread and GM is doing nothing to fix the problem. The motor is designed in a way as to if the rear main seal is compromised a large amount of work must be done to repair the problem. Like removing the transmission and intake manifold from vehicle. This adding up to a large repair bill for the consumer for a problem that should be fixed by GM.
The pvc valve froze causing the rear main seal to blow. This has now caused damage to the engine. The engine needs to be replaced along with the exhaust manifold. The total cost from the dealer is quoted at $7200. This vehicle also used large amounts of oil. I was driving on a city street when this occurred. The Chevy only has 80,000 miles on it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Comins, MI, USA