Crankcase (pcv) Problems of Chevrolet Equinox - part 1

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 58 mph, the message “engine power reduced” was displayed, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to the nearest exit and to the nearest gas station. The contact waited for a while before driving to the residence, while not exceeding 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve, bypass tube, the injector seal set, an unspecified plug, and the vacuum pump seal had failed, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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Codes p2227 and code p0299 are coming up machine says this is a known issue with 2021 to 2023 chevy Equinox and there is a lot of water in intake and engine is in limp mode 1. 5l engine, are known to experience issues with moisture accumulation in the intake system, specifically within the charge air cooler (cac). In cold temperatures, this moisture can freeze, causing reduced engine power, stalling, and illuminated check engine lights (dtcs p0299, p2227, p0300). Key details regarding the problem: cause: moisture from the pcv system and ambient humidity builds up in the cac, which can freeze during cold weather. Affected models: 2018-2022 chevy Equinox and other gm vehicles with small-displacement turbocharged engines. Symptoms: reduced power, stalling, rough idle, and engine light in cold, humid, or snowy conditions. I would like for the VIN number check to be expanded if my car is experiencing this issue under a VIN that is not coming up for recalls or a factory warranty then other people are having the same issues.

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle on a cold, snowy day, there was oil on the driveway. There was a fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was related to the pcv system. The mechanic stated that the pcv valve was clogged, causing the gasket to fail. The vehicle was partially repaired. The mechanic later informed the contact that other repairs were necessary. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN for the repair. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

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Frozen pcv that blew rear engine seal.

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On 1/27/26, while driving at highway speeds, I received a "reduced engine power" alert. I was forced to pull over immediately; the vehicle stalled before I could reach a complete stop. This left me stranded in dangerously cold temperatures for an extended period while awaiting a tow. Upon inspection, I was informed that the engine has failed and requires a complete replacement. This is highly distressing for several reasons: * low mileage: the vehicle has only 54,000 miles and is well under the expected lifespan of a modern engine. * meticulous maintenance: as a loyal customer, I have had every scheduled oil change and service performed at my local Chevrolet dealership. My service history will confirm that this vehicle has been maintained to the highest standards. * brand loyalty: I have been a dedicated Chevrolet owner for years, having purchased five brand-new vehicles from your dealerships. I chose Chevrolet based on a reputation for reliability that, in this instance, has not been met. "I am specifically concerned because my vehicle's symptoms align with special coverage adjustment #14882 (pcv icing). Given that the failure occurred during extreme cold and resulted in immediate engine failure, it appears to be the exact scenario outlined in your technical service bulletins regarding the 2. 4l engine. I am requesting that this repair be handled under that special coverage or a similar goodwill extension. " my research indicates that this specific engine model has a documented history of similar issues. Given my history with the brand and the premature nature of this failure, I am requesting that Chevrolet review my case for a goodwill repair adjustment or a significant cost-sharing assistance for the engine replacement.

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2017 Chevrolet Equinox lt with a 2. 4l ecotec engine. The pcv system froze due to the cold weather conditions caused the rear main seal to blow futher causing cylinder scoring to the engine. I got it checked out by a local mechanic that actually works with the extended warranty company called silverrock that's provided from the dealership drivetime from who I financed the truck from. The mechanic shop name is hoekstra muffler and alignment located at 722 w 151st st, east chicago, in 46312. They were the ones to diagnose the problem and provided me with a diagnostic sheet for this issue. The vehicle has not been checked by a Chevrolet technician yet. I took the truck in for a regular maintenance oil change on January 8th at walmart in portage, indiana. My truck was driving fine and suddenly on January 20th my truck seized on the highway on my way to work at 7am. A warning light marking low oil pressure turn off engine was marking on my dashboard. After I was in a safe spot on the side of the expressway, I have life360 and proceeded to call for a tow truck. When the tow truck driver arrived in order to put the car in neutral he has to jump start my Equinox. My truck will only start if it's jumped and keep the cables connected, otherwise it shuts off.

The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the 2. 4l ecotec engine has been reported to have excessive oil consumption due to several issues: defective piston rings: the oil control rings are prone to sticking and clogging, leading to oil blowby and excessive consumption. Pcv system issues: problems with the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system can create excessive vacuum in the crankcase, contributing to oil consumption. Timing chain problems: the timing chain can stretch over time, leading to misalignment and potential engine damage. Regular maintenance: owners are advised to monitor oil levels frequently and consider using synthetic oil for better performance and longevity. These issues can lead to significant engine wear if not addressed promptly. My vehicle is using too much oil. The 2. 4l eco tec engine is installed in this vehicle. The Chevrolet dealership in rockwall texas texted me that the engine is bad and needs replacing. The vehicle is past is warranty, so the dealership is using that reason, to not fix this issue. The estimated cost to replace the engine is approximately $11000. 00.

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Pcv valve froze due to poor design and crankcase couldn't vent which blew out the rear main seal. Obvious design flaw.

Clogged pcv caused engine pressure resulting in failure of rear main seal.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - 2. 4l engine failure. Pcv system froze Dec 05 2025. Crankcase pressure increased and caused the rear main engine seal to fail, which inturn allowed all the engine oil to leak out. Due to oil starvation the timing chain components failed. Additional internal engine damage is possible, but not yet confirmed. Failed parts will be available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? engine failure while driving with no notice. Happened on a day with sub zero wind chill. Stalled vehicle poses a safety risk to occupants and other drivers. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? unknown has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? unknown were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? unknown.

After very cold winter weather, car started to smell. Pcv valve blew and car was seizing causing it to blow out the rear systems. It had spilled oil onto the garage floor and had a bad emissions smell. Dealership said they added 3 quarts of oil and that within 30 minutes two quarts leaked out. No warning lights on dashboard, no affected cautions through the Equinox app (which still shows that I have 80% of my oil still remaining). While driving the car started making a ticking sound during acceleration and a bad smell. I am now left with a $3700 bill. Numerous others have detailed exact experiences with their Equinox after the last February, cold spell in chicagoland. I was very fearful driving the car and my safety was compromised. The car was shaking, and the smell was pungent right now my car is at the dealership so I do not have the invoice.

My vehicle had a pool of oil beneath it and a trail behind it due to a faulty pcv. I had it towed to the certified dealer and they told me it was a pcv valve issue, due to the cold temperatures, ice was able to accumulate and caused a pressure build up inside of the hose or something of the sort. With that being said, the pressure caused the seal to pop off and allowed for the oil to leak out and get all over the engine/parts within the engine. The dealership let me know they were aware and had correspondence about this particular issue. There was no sound prior to the decline of my engine, no indicator on the dash, and this issue can happen so quickly that there's no time to respond or reverse damage that was made. My engine no longer works and was told I would need to purchase a new one, despite the fact this issue could happen again with a new engine regardless of routine upkeep. Dealership confirmed the engine was damaged, the oil was depleted, and the pcv was to blame. There were no warning signs, it happened quite quickly, and I fear that if this incident didn't happen at night, my vehicle would have slowed or completely stopped at a rate that would have prevented other drivers from steering clear of me and harming themselves or me. Thankfully it wasn't a busy night. I was going 80km/hr and my vehicle slowed to barely 30 km/hr without being able to accelerate. At home, the engine shut down, and again a pool of oil was found before being towed to the certified dealership I had my routine inspection done at a few months prior. Vehicle previously register in texas, now resides in canada where incident occurred.

Pcv valve got clogged and failed, I have an extended warranty and the extended warranty excludes this from any repairs if this is involved. Caused my rear main seal to break and leak oil. Not drivable currently. Quoted 3200 on a repair. Purchased the vehicle less than 12 months ago.

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a yellow check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and contact was provided dtc: p04fb (crankcase ventilation systems pressure sensor issue). The contact was informed that the manufacturer's engineers were working on an improved solution. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer cleared the code. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

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The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving above 50 mph, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally and failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the message "turn off engine" was displayed. The contact stated that the engine had experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the pcv was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.

Two weeks of zero degree weather caused the rear main seal to fail causing a large oil leak that could have resulted in the engine locking up if I had not noticed oil running down the driveway. Repair shop advised this was a common problem with the 2. 4 liter engine caused by a failure of the pcv system and there is a service bulletin on this problem. Gm has not recalled these engines to correct the known problem.

See all problems of the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

My 2017 chevy Equinox, equipped with the 2. 4l ecotec engine, experienced a catastrophic failure due to a faulty pcv system. In cold weather, condensation caused the pcv valve to malfunction, leading to excessive pressure and ultimately blowing out the rear main seal. This issue has been well-documented in the 2010–2013 models, which were covered under a class-action lawsuit, but the same defect persists in later models, including mine, which are not covered. This design flaw creates a significant safety and financial burden for owners and needs further investigation. My car shut off several times while driving in heavy traffic. I was in the car with my 6 year old child taking him to school on a busy street. This could have been catastrophic. In addition, I was informed my engine is burning oil excessively which is also a known issue. The safety risk posed by the defect, readily know by service techs, is substantial, the lawsuits claim, given that an engine operating without sufficient oil could wear down and fail prematurely, even during the course of normal operation, due to friction. According to the lawsuits, general motors, for its part, actively concealed from consumers that its Equinox and terrain vehicles suffered from an oil consumption defect. Worse, the suits say, gm allegedly failed to offer vehicle owners and lessees any help by way of repairs or recalls. Oil leak caused by insufficient ventilation and excessive oil burning caused rear main seal and timing chain belts to fail. My oil warning systems never detected the low oil. Research has shown that this has been a known chevy problem since 2017, with a recall being issued earlier on but no known recall now. Dealer has confirmed issues and also that the engine design is flawed and leads to oil burning excessively.

2/4/19 bulletin issued for pcv valve defect [xxx] bought car from dealer, was told nothing wrong with car [xxx] sold me a extended warranty to assure me the car would be protected [xxx] car wouldn’t start in driveway had it towed to tarr Chevrolet. [xxx] warranty refused to fix car, seems they excluded the pcv valve from warranty. The pcv valve blew the rear seal, part of the power train which I have a lifetime warranty on. But since the pcv valve caused it , they didn’t cover that either. This repair cost me $2800. 00. Living on social security that’s a lot of money. I have called chevy, the dealer and the warranty CO to no avail, I have read about all the class action suits. This is a very serious problem. The bulletin states below 0 temperatures can cause this, we live in tennessee, we don’t have that kind of weather. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While my daughter was driving in very cold weather . . . She here a pop sound and all warning lites fir low oil came on. . . She stopped immediately. . The car was towed and a blocked frozen pcv vent caused the rear seal to blow. . . Gm is aware of this defect with no intention to reimburse for repairs.

My 2017 chevy Equinox, equipped with the 2. 4l ecotec engine, experienced a catastrophic failure due to a faulty pcv system. In cold weather, condensation caused the pcv valve to malfunction, leading to excessive pressure and ultimately blowing out the rear main seal. This issue has been well-documented in the 2010–2013 models, which were covered under a class-action lawsuit, but the same defect persists in later models, including mine, which are not covered. This design flaw creates a significant safety and financial burden for owners and needs further investigation.

When I was exiting the expressway, my car suddenly stopped without any warning. I managed to restart it, but after driving just a few feet, it stalled again. I was able to restart it once more, but this time I could hear a knocking noise coming from the engine. I initially thought it couldn't need oil since I had an oil change just the previous week. I drove to a nearby gas station to check the oil level, and although the oil gauge indicated 91%, I found there was no oil in the engine. I added two quarts to get a few blocks to my destination. However, I soon noticed oil leaking out. I decided to have my car towed to a chevy dealership, where I was informed that I had a blown rear main seal caused by a faulty pcv system. I was told that this situation was dangerous, especially since it occurred on the expressway. The repair cost over $3,000. I contacted gm to see if they could assist me with cost but was told only after I got the issue fixed they wouldsee what they could do. I've also noticed that many other 2017 chevy Equinox owners have reported similar problems online. Could you please look into this?.

On the morning of January 20th 2025, the undersized pvc port retained moisture that froze solid during cold temperatures causing pressure to build up resulting in rear seal and intake manifold gasket failure. There should be a recall that includes enlarging the pcv port and replacing the pcv piping that also retains moisture and freezes (this portion was corrected on this vehicle).

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 45 mph in cold weather, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the work garage, where the contact noticed that a significant amount of oil had leaked onto the ground. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the main crankshaft seal had failed because the pcv system had frozen. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance in covering the repair under technical service bulletin: bulletin pip5093b. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

114k miles and the pcv valve was collecting condensation which froze. This caused a build up of pressure and blew the rear main oil seal and timing chain. No warning, no dash lights, nothing. Oil life at 35% and over 1,000 miles before due for next oil change. Went from running fine to dead in less than 1/4 of a mile.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 71 mph, the engine lost power with the check engine and stabili-trak warning lights illuminated. The vehicle entered limp mode. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a local gas station. The contact approached the gas station, and vehicle shut off. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed; however, the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the pcv valve had frozen due to the cold weather. The contact was informed that the failure then pressurized the crank case valve and blew the engine oil seal. The contact was also informed that the timing chain had failed and caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 68,000.

The pcv valve froze last week causing pressure to build up and blew the rear seal. All the oil leaked out and caused a grinding noise and the vehicle shutoff on its own. This I have seen is an ongoing problem with the chevy Equinox. I was quoted $3800 from the dealer to repair.

Rear crankshaft seal has failed. Engin oil has blown out at bottom of engine and all over underside of car. Oil has covered the exhaust system causing smoke in and outside of car. Leaked engine oil could have ignited and caused a fire that would have consumed the entire car. There appears to be numerous postings on the internet of other chevy Equinox owners with the same problem. There was no prior warning that the crankshaft oil seal was in the process of failure. I personally checked the oil pan drain plug and the oil filter cap, and these were not the issue of the oil leak. Again, from my investigation on the internet sites, it appears to be a common issue with the general motors 2. 4 liter vortec engine in the Chevrolet Equinox car model. This issue can and probably result in total engine failure and need of engine replacement. The repair to replace the rear crankshaft oil seal is very costly and should not be needed on any vehicle with normal wear and use. With my internet investigation there appears to be a design problem with the pcv design and system. The pcv system is prone to clogging and freeze up in cold weather. This can result in excessive internal engine pressure the is a major cause of blowout of the crack shaft oil seal. The temperature at the night before was only 9 degrees. The car was last used under freezing conditions which could have contributed to engine failure.

This was the third time I have had my vehicle in the shop for the same exact issue - stalling while driving. This time we decided to take it to a chevy dealer who very quickly diagnosed the pcv system freeze "causing the rear main seal to push out causing a major oil leak". Seeing as this issue is known in prior years, it is baffling why chevy has not addressed this design flaw, which causes engine damage, nor have they chosen to included later models - such as my 2016 - in a recall. I am so very lucky that I started being aware of the warning signs and did not get on the highway to go home. It would have likely been a deadly incident in that case - I am not joking. This was a very expensive repair - especially considering this is the 3rd repair regarding the same issue.

On December 26, 2022, while driving home from work during a snowstorm, my 2016 chevy Equinox suddenly lost power and began making unusual noises. Shortly after, a warning light indicated low oil pressure, and the engine shut off before I could safely pull over. Since then, the vehicle has been sitting in my driveway. Recently, I had it checked by a dealership, where the mechanics diagnosed a blown rear main seal and significant oil leakage. The dealership confirmed that the rear main seal failure was caused by a faulty pcv valve, a known issue in these models, which resulted in excessive pressure buildup and engine damage. Given the severity of the issue, the dealership mentioned that an engine replacement might be necessary. If it’s just the rear main seal that needs replacing, the estimated cost is $2,700. The vehicle was purchased used with 55,000 miles on it and had only one previous owner.

I was driving when my car started knocking. I pulled over on the highway and noticed oil all over the undercarriage of the vehicle. I immediately drove to the dealership and had the mechanics take a look. They came back and said, "the rear main seal was leaking due to a plugged pcv port that froze because of the cold weather. This caused high crankcase pressure to build, which blew out the rear main seal. " looking online, I found that this appears to be a common problem. The dealership said they could fix it by drilling the hole in the pcv port bigger, but there is currently no recall on this issue. Just to replace the seal, they are charging $2500, with an additional few hundred dollars to enlarge the pcv port. Thankfully, I was able to pull over and get it to the dealership. I can only imagine how bad things could have been if I hadn't been in a relatively safe spot.

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, there was an abnormal odor of oil detected. The contact pulled over and noticed there was a puddle of oil on the road. The contact checked underneath the vehicle and noticed oil on the undercarriage. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle was not covered under service bulletin 14882 special coverage adjustment – plugged pcv orifice in intake manifold . The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the repairs were not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

I am writing to address a critical issue involving my 2017 Chevrolet vehicle, which poses a significant safety hazard. I purchased this car from faulkner Subaru in bethlehem in 2022. The specific component failure relates to the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system, particularly the lack of a traditional pcv valve and the presence of a fixed orifice vacuum port in the intake manifold. This component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself, my passengers, and other road users was compromised due to the sudden and significant oil leakage caused by the malfunctioning pcv system. This not only endangered our safety but also posed a serious risk to others on the road. While the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, it is a well-documented issue with ongoing litigation against Chevrolet. However, there are currently no active recalls addressing the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The incident occurred suddenly while driving, with the strong smell of burning oil and subsequent oil leakage being the first indications of a problem. Your immediate attention to this matter and intervention on behalf of affected consumers is crucial. I urge Chevrolet to address this safety concern through a formal safety recall and to take responsibility for rectifying this manufacturing defect.

Was driving home and without prior warning received a message on the dash to pull over low oil pressure. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and I am being told I that gm has a known issue of freezing pcv in cold temperatures which causes the rear main seal to blow and other internal issues. I know am told this will be a $5600 repair and no coverage. Gm has lawsuits and other numerous complaints about this issue.

Pcv valve froze causing rear main crankcase seal to break and massive oil loss. Fotunately I was able to get home and not have the engine die on the road in -10 degree fahrenheit temperatures.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact drove the vehicle to the destination. The contact parked the vehicle and checked the engine oil level. The contact became aware of a pasty substance on the end of the dipstick. The contact was taken to get oil to top off the engine oil. The contact stated that while driving, the low oil pressure and stop engine warning lights illuminated. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed pcv valve. The contact was informed that the pcv valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.