Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Chevrolet Equinox - part 1

The 2. 4 liter engine in my car has had excessive oil consumption. Now the engine oil is like peanut butter and the blow by out the oil fill is strong.

See all problems of the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The 2. 4l engine is experiencing significant issues, including power loss and rapid oil consumption. The power loss has been observed while driving on both expressways and city streets. The oil burning commenced less than a month after an oil change, resulting in an oil level of zero. This situation poses a risk of accidents and endangers the occupants of the vehicle. An independent service center has confirmed the problem. The center determined that a new engine is necessary as the issue cannot be resolved. There have been no inspections by manufacturers, law enforcement, or other relevant authorities. Additionally, there was no warning about the oil being low to the point of being absent from the engine. The code for the power failure, p0303, was obtained from the service center. It is imperative that this issue be addressed promptly. Either the engine should be recalled or the vehicle should be repaired. Otherwise, I will be compelled to purchase a new engine or a new car.

See all problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to auto zone, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 23v013000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls at the time of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

See all problems of the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Check engine light was on after just sitting in the snow for two days. Dealer is saying that it is a fuel injector and something with the gas. I hope this fixes it.

I just got this used car in seemingly great shape, was told it was garage kept and well cared for. Dealer had oil changed before I drove it off the lot. I only had it about one month, had driven about 1,000 miles so far, I check the oil, and dipstick was nearly dry. I threw oil in it and took it for an oil change just in case. No oil leaks, etc. No indication, no oil light, nothing to alert me to low oil level. I saw here on NHTSA that these cars burn through excessive amounts of oil, and I definitely saw that firsthand. I’m wondering why no recalls exist when this is a well-known issue with these cars, and so many of them are dead at 50-70k miles…? the last two cars I had (Ford escapes), had over 218k or 185k miles and they were still drivable when I got a replacement vehicle. Now I buy this used Equinox with almost 70k miles and I’m wondering if it is going to break down within the first year. I expect I will be buying lots of oil and checking/changing it often. This is not just an inconvenience, it can cause major safety concerns! I will not be a repeat chevy customer!.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Vehicle displayed reduced engine power, check engine light, and service brake assist all at the same time. Brake pedal wouldn't move leaving me without brakes. Coasted to stop and shut off car. Brake did not release and now engine won't start. Informed brake vacuum booster pump is problem and ruined motor now.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Timing chain tensioner lost tension and timing chain got so loose it would not turn the cams and catastrophic engine valve damage was done! this engine is notorious for this and there are class action lawsuits as a result but no recalls from gm as yet only TSB’s (technician service bulletins). This is going to cost me thousands in repairs and I still owe $8500 on it. If this happens in traffic it could pose a serious safety risk in addition to the financial burden it is causing many people! mine fortunately happened in my driveway and the vehicle had to be towed to my mechanic and has been there for 3 weeks. Have had rental vehicle costs as well. He had 3 other 2010-‘16 gm 4 cylinder 2. 4l ecotec engines in his small shop with the exact same issue! after doing research it is a common issue and gm has done nothing to solve it!.

My 2013 Chevrolet Equinox (~132,000 miles) has a serious and unsafe oil consumption problem. I had a full oil change, and only two weeks later the dipstick was completely dry. The vehicle provided no warning lights, no low-oil indication, and the gm oil life monitoring system gave an inaccurate reading, failing to alert me to the critically low oil level. On November 25, 2025, while stopped with my foot firmly on the brake, the vehicle began constantly jumping and jerking forward as if it was trying to move on its own. During driving, I also began hearing a loud crunching, metal-on-metal noise whenever I accelerated or drove under 50 mph. Because these symptoms started suddenly and were severe, I took the vehicle to my mechanic the same day. On November 26, 2025, the mechanic confirmed that the engine had suffered major internal damage due to running with almost no oil. The timing chain and vvt components needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed that oil starvation caused this failure despite a recent oil change, and the inaccurate oil life monitoring system contributed to the hazard by failing to alert me to the critically low oil. This defect presents a significant safety hazard, as the vehicle can jerk unexpectedly, stall, lose power, or suffer sudden engine failure while driving, all without warning. I have since learned that excessive oil consumption and inaccurate oil life readings are widespread in gm 2. 4l ecotec engines. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this safety-related defect.

See all problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

At 5 am in the morning the car suddenly failed and indicated it was an engine or transmission failure in the middle of a four lane major intersection in a downtown area. It was dangerous due to the darkness, and poor visibility. I had to abandon the vehicle as it was dangerous to stay with it while waiting for police. I could have been injured (as could others) due to its sudden failure in the intersection of a busy roadway. Chevrolet dealership states it is the fuel pump driver module. The car is currently at the dealership for repair. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure until the car suddenly lost power. Once it lost power the engine light lit up and shortly after I had exited the vehicle, I began receiving messages from "on star" telling me that there were engine or transmission problems. Meanwhile I stood in the pouring rain in an unsafe neighborhood, leaning out into traffic to try and stop cars from running head on into my car for over 30 minutes waiting for police.

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Twice the exhaust has leaked into the cabin to the point where it is very noticeable. It causes headaches and breathing problems. Gm has known of this issue for several years and it has been reported several times. Gm placed a bandaid on it knowing it would fail.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was driven approximately 500 feet and was parked. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact researched and stated that the vehicle had a known failure in the fuel system. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

See all problems of the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

I drive 20+ miles each way to work every day. Much of this drive is on highways, and currently the bridge connecting ohio and kentucky is down to three lanes with no berm. On a windy road with low visibility and a steep hill near my home, the car completely lost power and acceleration without any warning. I wasn't able to drive it completely off the road before it came to a stop and due to the loss of power was unable to move into neutral to push it and the hazards would not work. Thank god that this didn't take place on the bridge or with my family in the car. I made the decision to exit the car while it was still on the road and find a safe area in the grass where I could call for help. When I exited the vehicle, it locked me out and the only way to get in was through the driver's side door, which would put me back on the road in traffic and at risk. The electrical failure prevented me from opening the other doors. The car's complete system failure put my safety/life at risk and could jeopardize the lives of others if it wasn't investigated. To make matters worse when the tow truck came via onstar they weren't equipped to move a car stuck in park or drive due to the electronic gear shift so they drug it with the tires locked onto the bed. After several days of testing the electrical system, the dealership found a loose wire and informed me that it had been fixed. I picked up the car and after a mile or so, the check engine light came on. I contacted the dealership to come pick it up and that's where it stands at the moment. My intention was to pass this on to my boys when they start driving, but this experience will alter that plan.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message “reduced engine power” was displayed. The vehicle did not require a restart to resume operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the wastegate actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the coolant inside the actuator had frozen due to the local low temperatures. The dealer advised that precautions were needed to prevent future coolant-related failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Neither an independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The contact waited thirty minutes, and the vehicle started to operate as intended. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the camshaft, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling and sputtering at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to auto zone, where it was diagnosed with rough idling and fuel injector failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

High pressure fuel pump.

This car used so much oil that I had to put it in constantly. Eventually the time belt broke, and the car stopped because it literally had no oil in it causing the engine to blow. This is a known problem I found out later on.

My car has been shutting down or going into limp mode. It has happened 4 times now and has left me stranded. The second time it happened I was going highway speeds and car lost power causing me to almost get rearended trying to pull my car off road. The 3rd time it happened my car stahled while idling and I could not get it to start back up in the middle of traffic at intersection. I have had injector and pipe replaced, ecm updated and now its going back to dealer as it is currently broke down again.

See all problems of the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.

Driving on the highway, nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. Within a 30 second span of time, the car started making a horrible rattling sound, followed by a loud snap sound, then smoke, then I was off the road with oil pouring out of the bottom of the car. Towed home, car was dropped off at the Chevrolet dealership mechanic. As far as I can tell, it fits the description that others have had with this car, namely that some apparent oil consumption issue that never came up on warning lamps resulted in the catastrophic engine failure that nearly launched me off the highway. The vehicle is currently awaiting diagnostics from the mechanic, and I have yet to hear back from them over a week later. There were no warning lights of any sort, and the oil life meter said there was 38% oil life remaining before it would need an oil change. If I had known about this issue before I bought the car, there is a 0% chance I would have bought it.

I have the ecotec 2. 4 engine the engine has gone out and gm is stating car needs a new engine. At 10,000. Two different associates told me to get a new car before they even checked the car.

My daughter was driving and she said the check engine light started blinking and the car slowed down immediately. She had to press the gas to get it into a gas station.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stoplight, the engine seized without any warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing and serious safety-related timing chain issue with my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox lt. The timing chain loses tension intermittently, which places the vehicle at immediate risk of significant engine damage, stalling, or complete loss of power during operation. This issue compromises the vehicle’s ability to operate safely in traffic. A sudden failure of the timing chain system can result in abrupt engine shutdown, without any warning lights or diagnostic codes to alert the driver. This creates a dangerous situation, particularly when traveling at highway speeds, merging into traffic, or navigating intersections. The timing chain defect in this model appears to be a known and recurring problem among owners of similar gm engines, and there is evidence suggesting design flaws contributing to premature wear and tension problems. However, this vehicle has not been included in prior recalls addressing similar timing chain failures. I rely on this vehicle for essential travel and live on ssdi, which limits my ability to cover repeated high-cost repairs for what appears to be a manufacturer-related safety defect. The risk of sudden engine failure with no prior indication is unacceptable and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request NHTSA review this concern as a potential recall safety issue, given the clear risk of power loss and danger to both myself and other drivers on the road.

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine turned over but the vehicle to failed to start while attempting to drive the vehicle. After starting, the vehicle was difficult to turn off. The malfunction warning light was illuminated, and a message "do not drive" was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 23v013000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. However, the vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no active recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

Pulling into traffic car stalled without warning. Went from about 25 mph to a complete stop in approximately in less than 100 feet. Car sputtered with transmission grabbing intermittently as it jerked to a stop. Restarted about several times with similar behavior. (covered under 60,000-mile warranty (actual mileage ~55,000)). Replaced fuel pump driver control module to correct. No accident due to distance to on-coming traffic, but easily could have caused an accident during high traffic conditions.

As I was parked with the car running, my 2024 Equinox suddenly shut down and the check engine light came on. I tried to start it, but it didn’t. Someone tried to jump the battery, thinking it was that, but it wasn’t. I had it towed to the dealership and after 2 days they said the fuel pump power control module needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, gm did not have the part, but the dealership found one in another state and we had to wait several days for it to be mailed to them. After a week, once the part was replaced, they tried to start the car and realized that the original issue fried the battery, so they had to replace that as well. I was told that they had seen several customers with the same issue and wouldn’t be surprised if gm eventually issues a recall. They also said they couldn’t be sure the replacement part wouldn’t have the same issue. I did some research and found that gm has had this issue with 2019 - 2024 vehicles. Some customers reported that they were driving and almost got hit by other vehicles when theirs shut down. My car only had 18000 miles when this occurred. I no longer feel safe driving my car.

2 nights ago, my engine light came on. I purchased a code reader today so see what may be wrong, and code p0299, popped up. I’ve reviewed and saw there’s no known recall on the issue but there’s a known technical service bulletin (TSB). In a facebook group I saw, it says that some people have replaced and code p0299 is still populating. I’m buying this vehicle and I have barely had 2 years now and wanted it to last.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, there was an abnormal sound and odor coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that pistons needed to be replaced and that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

I was stopped at a traffic light and the car just froze. All the dash lights started flashing, the brakes would not work. The car started moving slowly backing up traffic behind me. I barely made it to a parking lot off the road.

Charge pipe/air intake hose came disconnected when driving causing reduced engine and idle problems. Car stalled multiple times at idle. Higher rpm’s cause hose to disconnect.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle vibrated and idled abnormally. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle jumped unintendedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The independent mechanic advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The failure became a recurring failure, and the contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

The high pressure fuel pump leaking into crankcase and leaking gasket the fuel in the oil was so much it lit on fire.

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal was extremely hard and tight. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle because the vehicle was not being driven at a high speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as cam shaft failure, timing chain, and vacuum pump failure. The contact was informed that the cam shaft, timing chain, and vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact, who was an independent mechanic, stated that it was very important that the braking system operated independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,400.

The vehicles electrical system failed or faulted while operating. Engine went into a slow mode while operating in traffic. After stopping vehicle would not restart. Very dangerous for an elderly person operating the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox 🔎.