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8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,560
Average Mileage:
85,850 miles
Total Complaints:
107 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (37 reports)
  2. replace engine (23 reports)
  3. not fixed (17 reports)
  4. have gm recall all defective 2.4 engines (13 reports)
  5. replaced piston rings (9 reports)
  6. replaced pistons and rings and oil sesnor (4 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Equinox Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #87

Feb 092021

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,458 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started having problems a year after I finished paying off the car. YEP! Sooo I'm really pissed, right!! First I noticed the car had this clicking sound and seem like it was dragging like it wasn't in the right gear. So I took it to the dealer. I was told it was the Timing chain. I paid for that to be fixed at a Whopping price of $1,900.00, out of pocket. Right after that, I noticed that the air conditioner wasn't coming on when turned on. I took it to the dealer. I was told it was the Catalytic converter. Paid for that out of pocket at $1,200.00.

Then a couple of months later I hear this knocking sound. Stop at light or a stop sign, and my car is jerking some kind of awful. The car was jerking so bad I was scared that I was going to hit some one from behind. Back at the dealers again! Now I'm told it's the excessive engine oil consumption. WOW!!! It seems as if I can't catch a break! My only transportation. Yelling from the top of my head, what am I to do now? I really feel cheated by General Motors!

- fosterb, College ParkRose, US

problem #86

Jan 192021

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

My car was making a weird noise when it started and then all of a sudden it was bouncing and chugging at red lights and it was scary.

I've come to find out I had no oil after just doing an oil change 2,000 miles ago.

- Lexy E., Derry, NH, US

problem #85

Dec 082020

Equinox LS 2.4L I-4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Excessive oil consumption due to faulty piston rings, PCV system sucking oil into intake, and oil spray jets forcing more oil past the faulty piston rings. So much oil consumption is taking place that waiting to change the oil at 3000 miles left me with no oil in my oil reservoir and massive amounts of oil sludge buildup in my crank case. It's only a matter of time before the entire engine seizes while driving.

- John D., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #84

Sep 012017

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So I’ve owned a lot of vehicle in my life and all of them had one thing in common until my wife and I bought the 2012 Chevy equinox. The thing that all the vehicles had in common except for this one is that they never burned oil. So how does Chevy get away with this? They say the vehicle is allowed to burn a certain amount of oils between oil changes. What’s normal? Well over 2 quarts per 5,000 miles is “normal”! GM doesn’t want to recall the vehicles cause breaking the engine down to replace oil rings can be expensive. We are part of a class action lawsuit and I hope Chevy has to pay millions back, I don’t care if I don’t get a dime as long as these snakes have to pay large fines and penalties! I’ll never, NEVER but another GM vehicle again. To be honest I’ll never buy another American made car again.

- Joshua S., Ashland City, US

problem #83

Jun 012019

Equinox LT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

I can't even begin to describe the grief this situation caused me. I got an oil change at jiffy lube and my car literally broke down afterwards. Of course, I wanted to blame them, know their reputation.. I took it to my local mechanic. They said they needed to replace a number of parts costing close to $1000. Once I gave them the okay to do this, they discovered there was more of an issue and that I needed to take it to a GM dealership. It took the dealership 2 weeks to even look at it, and once they did they said there is a known problem with these vehicles, but because I didn't bring it in prior to have it looked at, that I was responsible for all the repairs. It ended up costing $2800. That amount didn't even repair all of the damage that the oil consumption issue caused. Its been a nightmare. I will never buy another chevy. I'm so defeated, this car is one thing after another and getting rid of it would lose me so much money at this point.. I can't afford to keep it, or sell it.

- Naomi S., Olympia, WA, US

problem #82

Jan 012016

Equinox LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

I noticed a few years ago that my 2012 Equinox was using too much oil, but there was never any dripping or oil in driveway. Recently this vehicle was going through a quart a week at 160,000 miles. I just received information about a Class Action Lawsuit against General Motors for this issue. The fact that a recall on the Equinox has not happened is ridiculous. I will never by another GM product again!

- dimeola, Santa Rosa, US

problem #81

Jun 262013

Equinox LT1 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,537 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2nd oil change. Oil level was below fill line after 5000 miles.

- James W., Salinas, US

problem #80

Jul 012018

Equinox LT 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

I HAVE TO CONTINUE PUTTING OIL IN MY VEHICLE ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. IT IS GETTING SERIOUSLY OLD! I SWEAR I PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE THAN ANY VEHICLE I EVER HAD!!!

- Amanda W., White Hall, AR, US

problem #79

Mar 192018

Equinox LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,368 miles

2012 Equinox excessive oil use. Took to a dealer and they did oil consumption test. I was using a lot of oil. Because I change my own oil GM will not fix. I feel like I'm being discriminated for changing my own oil. Oil light does not come on so have to check oil every day. This is crazy, can't wait to pay it off and get something else.

- Dallas H., Garrett, US

problem #78

Dec 152018

Equinox LT 2.4L 4 Cyc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,500 miles

Bought the Equinox in August of 2017, 2 days after buying it had to have both converters replaced and they replaced the upstream O2 sensor as well. After that has been a great car until a few months ago when it started using oil like crazy. Check engine light came on, so we took it to have the codes read, said downstream O2 sensor had to be replaced and that it was running rich. We replaced the downstream O2 sensor on November 13 (which took care of the check engine light), then we did an oil change on November 17th. We have kept up with all the maintenance and oil changes as recommended.

During the oil change, my husband used a different brand of oil but still had the Dexos in it to see if it would cut back on the oil consumption. after the oil change to December 15th, I had put an additional gallon and a half of oil in the car besides what was put in during the oil change. On December 15th, went to check the oil and noticed a slimy yellowish white substances in the oil cap of the car. Talked to the owner of the dealership that I go the car from and he informed me that it was just condensation from where we had so much rain. Advised me to clean the cap out real good and dry it out. Do an oil change to make sure the oil looked fine and was not cloudy. We also checked the antifreeze to make sure there was no oil present. Due to the holiday's and a busy schedule, we let the car sit for about 2 weeks before doing anything to it. We did another oil change and did everything our dealership told us to do, found the oil looked fine, but smelled of gas. That is when we started looking online and found the other complaints. Right now don't have the extra funds to send it to the shop or replace the engine, but from other complaints that looks like what is going to have to happen.

Update from Jan 17, 2019: Bought the Equinox in August of 2017, 2 days after buying it had to have both converters replaced and they replaced the upstream O2 sensor as well. After that it has been a great car until a few months ago when it started to use oil like crazy. Check engine light came on, so we took it to have the codes read, said downstream O2 sensor had to be replaced and that it was running rich. Before we replaced the downstream O2 sensor, the car would barely pull a hill, and would act like it was going to cut off. We replaced the downstream O2 sensor on November 13, 2018 which took care of the check engine light, then we did an oil change on November 17, 2018. We have kept up with all the maintenance and oil changes as recommended. After replacing it and with all the oil issue that we are having, the car is still acting very sluggish and lurches or revs to a higher RPM from time to time while driving. I refuse to drive it on the highway as I'm afraid that something is going to happen and I'm going to be in an accident, so I take all back roads. During the oil change, my husband used a different brand of oil that still had the Dexos as recommended to see if it would cut back on the oil consumption. After the oil change to December 15th, I had put an additional gallon and a half of oil in the car besides what was put in during the oil change. On December 15th, went to check the oil and noticed a slimy yellowish white substances in the oil cap of the car. Talked to the owher of the dealership that I got the car from and he informed me that it was just condensation from where we had so much rain. Advised me to clean the cap out real good and dry it out. Do an oil change to make sure the oil looked fine and was not cloudy. We also checked the antifreeze to make sure there was no oil present. Due to the holiday’s and a busy schedule, we let the car sit for about 2 weeks before doing anything to it and I borrowed another vehicle to get back and forth to work. We did another oil change and did everything our dealership told us to do, found the oil looked fine, but smelled of gas. That is when we started looking online and found the other complaints. Right now don’t have the thousands of extra funds to send it to the shop or replace the engine, but from other complaints that looks like what is going to have to happen.

Saturday spoke with a tech at a Chevrolet dealership and he said it is a known issue with my car, and that GM sent out a bulletin in 2017 but that my car would not be covered as it is over the 140,000 miles limit since my car is currently 165,000 miles on it. We are currently checking the oil every 2-3 days and putting oil in as needed, as this week along we have added almost 2 quarts of oils and have went less than 200 miles. Will be looking at trading this car in as quickly as I can, but since I still owe 2 years on it, it is going to cost me either way.

- wolfmom, Maysville, US

problem #77

Sep 302018

Equinox LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

DO NOT BUY CHEVY!! Was really happy buying the car in Oct 2016, The car was only 4 yrs old when I bought. Finally I thought I have reliable car with 50.000 miles on it. Very mistaken. I do a lot of driving so I was taking the car religiously for oil changes every 2000 miles. I took really good care of it.

Then one day I took the car to my mechanic with small issue that I noticed while driving, left the car over the weekend. I got a call from my mechanic that the car has no oil? I said that's impossible because I just changed the oil last weekend and advised him to check the sticker on my window. He checked and told me that maybe they didn't change the oil and that I should consider going to have the car serviced next time somewhere else. I was very confused, I have been going there for years with other cars. The shop was owned for more than 60 yrs by father and son, honest hardworking people. I did go somewhere else as he advice me. Checked with my mechanic shortly afterwards.... SHOCKINGLY when I got there after a new oil change in different place he asked me when was the last time that I have changed the oil?????!!!!!!!!!!

I got really upset, since I'm single and a woman i thought maybe he is just joking, BUT IT WAS NO JOKE AT THIS TIME!! The oil was changed a week before. For the past few months I was visiting my mechanic regularly on Saturdays, and he told me that the car has been burning oil!!!!! No leaks no indications on the computer!!!! So on JANUARY 29 2019 the car has given up on me!!! Having the car for only 2 yrs and few months is really devastating, and I still owe money on it!!!!!!

Feeling hopeless and very disappointed in something that I thought I will cherish for years!!!!!!!!

NEVER EVER BUY CHEVY OR ANYTHING FROM GM MOTORS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THINKING ABOUT LAWSUIT.

and he was just checking and putting more and more oil ........ UNTIL THE ENGINE JUST GAVE UP FEW DAYS AGO COMPLETELY!!!!

- Angie G., Prospect Heights, IL, US

problem #76

Jan 312019

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Apparently due to the cold, the seal froze then pressure built up and blew the seal. Oil just poured out. To fix it, they have to drop the engine. I have heard of many other Equinox with the same issue. The repair is in the thousands of dollars. Dealers know of the problem but haven't done anything about it.

Moral of the story, don't but a Chevy. That is difficult for me because I have driven American cars my entire life, many of them Chevy's. Won't buy another one!

- tombondi, Downers Grove, US

problem #75

Feb 042019

Equinox LT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,543 miles

I received the letter that stated "some 2012 model year Chevrolet Equinox vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L engine may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2000 miles per quart of oil) MINE IS USING ONE QUART OF OIL PER 400 MILES. When I got the letter after I had owned my car probably a year, I took it to the dealer where I bought my car and the owner of the dealership refused to fix the car because he said it was not a recall and it would involve taking the engine out.

The problem was not that bad at that time but as the years have gone by it has gotten worse. Sometimes the car shakes or even stops completely for no reason which terrified me. If your driving in city traffic can you imagine what this would do? Thank God I was just at an intersection on a country road when this happened to me.

When I finally figured that it was using a quart every 400 miles and by this time my car was paid off I decided I better have a mechanic check it out because I wanted to get a new car but I'm an honest person and I did not want to do to the dealership what had been done to me 7 years ago. Well today (2-6-19) the mechanic informs me that it was a miracle that I made the 4 hour drive safely to his shop because the engine is shot.

So now I have to borrow money to pay for an engine and parts to replace the one that is no good for a car that I now hate. I wanted a 2019 new car but I can guarantee the next SUV I buy WILL NOT BE A CHEVY. I just got done posting all this information on Facebook so my hometown dealer will be able to read all about it and all the community can also read about my experience 7 years ago. They have a great reputation or at least they did!!

- Tina W., Cherokee, OK, US

problem #74

Apr 012017

Equinox

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Excessive oil consumption, continuously adding oil.

- Patti J., Jeffersonton, US

problem #73

Nov 212018

Equinox LT 2.4L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,641 miles

Wife used to drive this vehicle. She is very diligent at taking her vehicles in for routine maintenance. We planned on getting her a newer vehicle and I took over this one. She warned me that there was not able oil consumption and she had been taking it in to our local Valvoline for regular top offs.

After I took the vehicle over I to noticed the amount of oil consumption. Neither of us were ever aware of any campaigns or service bulletin concerning our issues until my vehicle died one day. It hasn't run since November of this year(2018). We were planning a trip to Michigan, thankful it quit before or it would have been worse. After it died I had noticed the check engine light came on which I've never seen before.

I used my scan tool and found a p228d code that says excessive fuel pressure. Suggestions for repair were high pressure fuel pump, high pressure fuel sensor or camshaft worn. I am a technician and decided to try to repair my car myself to save on labor costs. the vehicle still wouldn't start. I've taken it to a local garage who determined it was a solid issue with the engine but didn't dig to deep and advised me to contact the manufacturer.

After contacting the manufacturer they asked that I send it to gm authorized dealer. Now the vehicle is at the dealer and they say all of my issues are caused by the timing chain having slipped and my vehicle won't be covered under the special extended warranty issued for oil consumption bulletin. I have recently been told that the gm senior advisors are going to be in touch with the dealership as well as me to discuss this issue and resolution further.

Cross your fingers with me that they repair it but it is well known that this problem needs to be settled.

- Johnathon B., Syracuse, NY, US

problem #72

Oct 112018

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox that is having Oil Consumption problems. It first started out last year when I did an oil change and after about 2000 miles my gauge said I had 50% oil life left but when I checked it I noticed that it was completely out of oil and my car was sounding like a diesel truck. GM needs to do a recall on all 2012 Chevy Equinox 2.4L and fix the problem no matter the mileage of the vehicle.

I took it to a dealership in FL and was informed there was nothing wrong with it to just add a quart of oil when it starts to get low. I have done the regular Oil changes on my car ever 5000-6000 miles like recommended. Had the oil changed before moving back to IL drove 900 miles and my car was completely out of oil by time I got to my new home in IL from FL.

Took it to a dealership today on 1/10/2019 they did another oil change on it told me to bring it back after driving it 750 miles to see where the oil is reading at on the dipstick. The dealership in Paris, IL currently has 4 2012 Chevy Equinox they are currently replacing the pistons and rings on the engines for the very same problem.

There is a bulletin out on the problem and GM is only wanting to fix the problem for free if the vehicle is below 120,000 miles. I was roughly around that when I took it to the dealership in FL and was informed nothing was wrong with my engine consuming the oil. Now that I am well over the 120,000 miles I will have to pay out of my pocket to have my car fixed when GM knows this is an ongoing problem but does not want to fix the problem for anyone who has the 2012 Chevy Equinox. I never received a letter stating this could be a problem with the year make and model.

- Jessica M., Marshall, IL, US

problem #71

Oct 172018

Equinox LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,000 miles

Went and had some work done on the car. They stated that my vehicle is burning through oil incredibly fast. They stated that there is a recall for this issue in my car. I will be complaining to Chevy. Hopefully they will fix it.

- Logan C., Belgrade, US

problem #70

Aug 152018

Equinox LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I bought this car in Nov of 17' from a dealership. Yep, they saw me coming. Right away I noticed it was using oil, too much oil. I took it to the dealership for it's first oil change, complained about the problem and was told "it's normal" to use oil. A few weeks later, or maybe month or so, car starting stalling and running awful, checked oil and it was BONE dry. Had to have it towed to the dealership at my expense. Went through their pain in butt test and had pistons and rings replaced at no cost. So happy I was, for a month or so....started happening again, car hesitating and running awful.

Took it to dealership for oil change, and complained about problem, basically I was told that I'd have to go thru another test and if it was anything other than New pistons and rings they JUST PUT IN I'd be out of my pocket. I reached out to GM/Chevy about this, and basically was told too bad so sad.

I will NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. And I am disgusted that they don't stand behind their product KNOWING there is an issue with this year car! I'll be trading in ASAP.

- Tracy G., Ballston Spa, US

problem #69

Nov 032016

Equinox LT 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,802 miles

I received a letter from Chevrolet, Milwaukee, WI stating my vehicle may exhibit excessive oil consumption due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center "oil pressure low - stop engine".

General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the condition within 7.5 year of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge.

This issue is still a huge problem for my vehicle. The dealership does not believe me that it uses 1 - 2 quarters of oil every 1,000 miles. I complain about the rattle or knocking the engine does when the oil gets too low. The dealership has changed the oil in my vehicle just about every time it has been due. The oil has always been changed by a certified mechanic. The dealership did one consumption test and said stated was normal for my vehicle to use this much oil. The consumption test is where they check the oil every 1,000 miles. Each time I stopped by to have them check the oil level it took about one hour!!!

Maybe it is normal for this vehicle to use so much motor oil!!! I have never owned a vehicle before this one to use so much oil. I have owned over 12 vehicles.

- Susan B., Vincentown, NJ, US

problem #68

Sep 272017

Equinox 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,633 miles

Purchased my 2012 Equinox in May 2017. By September 2017 I recognized a major oil consumption issue. Contacted the dealer I purchased it from who helped connect me with a GM dealer nearby. The GM dealer performed oil consumption test, helped me by contacting GM to plead my case. Even though the vehicle was 4,000 miles over the designated mileage for coverage GM covered all but $1300.00 to basically rebuild my engine. I'm still upset to have thought I was purchasing a dependable vehicle only to have to fork over that much money for a fix. Thankfully I noticed the engine noise early to prompt me to check the oil as the oil light never did come on showing low oil and it was almost bone dry on a Friday night at 11 p.m. in rural Minnesota. Thankfully my boyfriend at the time had oil at his farm place. How does a person become a part of the lawsuit?

- Tammie M., Ortonville, MN, US

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