2017 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 273 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 18 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
190 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Nov 23, 2023
My son was driving when the Pvc froze in very cold weather causing the rear main seal to leak oil, ruining the timing chain. Vehicle not drivable. Very expensive repair and could have been even worse if he had not pulled off he highway when he did. Can't believe GM knew about this problem for years and did nothing to solve it.
Engine, Nov 21, 2023
excessive oil consumption
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2023
This vehicle continues to burn oil and the engine light does not turn on when the vehicle is low on oil. I have had this car for 4 years and it has been an issue where when I take it in for oil change there is no oil left in engine. Vehicles are not supposed to burn oil. I have been told it is an internal engine issue and that this is a known problem from this vehicle by the Chevy dealership. It is unsafe for anyone to be traveling without oil in their vehicle and not have any type of alert to know it is low. I could break down at anytime and it would be a serious cost to me to have this repaired even though it is a “known issue“ with Chevy equinox.
Engine, Aug 30, 2023
The 2.4L Ecotec engine has a known issue, established in a previous GM service bulletin for older models using the same engine, that causes the rear main oil seal to burst.
Engine, Aug 16, 2023
I had no warning lights car was driving fine no hesitation when stopped to turn car off it wouldn’t start back up had it checked by a shop said the engine is completely gone due to no compression and possible timing belt or chain broke. Uses excessive amount of oil the car does not even have 100,000 miles on it
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2023
REAR MAIN SEAL, ISSUE CAUSES THE OIL PRESSURE TO FAIL. IF NOT STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE BLOCK BLOWS AND DESTROYS THE ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2017 EQUINOX, BUT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET
Engine, Jul 31, 2023
Car keeps throwing a P0014 code. Have changed the camshaft position sensor, changed oil and air filter. 200 miles later, check engine light is back on and throwing P0014 code again
Engine, Jun 30, 2023
excessive oil consumption
Engine, Jun 22, 2023
Car is burning to much oil l. Per tsb the accepted rate of oil consumption for engines used in tge vehicles referenced is 0.946 liter (1qt) in 3200 km (200) mi). Just got an oil change on 5/2/22 it was 101,612. when I got it changed.. And currently it's at 103,346. When I check dip stick and oil level it had approximately half of quart of oil remaining. Took to courtesy mitsubishi In Attleboro Massachusetts where I brought the car because of engine warranty. You can smell oil in the interior of vehicle when driving. No oil leak coming from vehicle
Engine, Jun 17, 2023
My vehicle burns oil I know other people who have the same problem but know body's wants to figure it out so I'm probably wasting my time thank you anyways
Engine, Jun 15, 2023
Vehicle would stop running and went into low power mode when driving on the highway
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the air condition activated, there was an abnormal exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The exhaust manifold was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Engine, Jun 2, 2023
Engine died
Engine, May 24, 2023
Crankshaft Position – Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible. Despite the varying
Engine, May 22, 2023
The valve timing is out of position from a timing chain jumped out of position. There are oil flow problems to the phaser from incorrect oil
Engine, May 3, 2023
PVC pipe froze, causing engine to cease up, blew out rear plug of the engine, drained the entire engine of oil and entail blew the engine. I was driving at 65 mph when this happened. No warning lights came on that the engine was overheated, and car just ceased up and blew while I was driving. GM did absolutely nothing to help with this issue, I was left to fix this problem alone. My father replaced the whole engine by himself so that we could trade it in eventually.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Apr 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud sounds and was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine was leaking oil onto the ground. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated to stop immediately while the brake pedal was depressed. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the catalytic converter had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she had to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the dealer sold her the vehicle with a missing O2 sensor and a faulty catalytic converter, which the dealer later replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Engine, Mar 28, 2023
2017 Chevrolet Equinox 80,000 miles always serviced, I have proof Purchased 10/26/2016 New 12/16/2022 I had the vehicle serviced @ Walser Polar Chevrolet White Bear Lake, MN just like I have since I purchased it new. Oil & Transmission fluid changed, new tires, wheel alignment, rear brake pads and rotors, $2,045.00. No mention of a class action lawsuit for Frozen PCV valve, causing the rear main seal to blowout. GM has known about this problem for years and has done nothing to rectify it. I brought my vehicle into Walser Polar Chevrolet for service as always trusting I would leave having a safe ride in the deadly winter weather conditions, that was not the case. They knew there was an Issue with this Make & Model, I should have been notified regarding the freezing of the PCV valve and rear engine seal blowing out. Someone is going to DIE because of this, they will break down in subzero temperatures and freeze to death. 12/24/2022 at 6:45 am on Christmas eve. I had no warning whatsoever there was a problem until the Equinox started to sputter, the engine light came on and a few minutes later the engine shut down. The PCV valve froze causing the rear main seal to blowout, the engine was completely destroyed. $9,700 estimated repair bill. Thank God, I made it to White Bear Ave and a police officer showed up, it was 11 degrees below zero out. AAA had a 299-minute estimated wait. I know of 3 other people this has happened to last Month and there were 3 others vehicles that weekend on their lot with the same issue, I was told this by management. I sold it to Walser Polar Chevrolet White Bear Lake, MN 12/30/2022 for $4,000.00 that’s all they were willing to offer. After paying $2,045 on 12/16/2022 I ended up with $1,965.00. This car was in great running condition when I brought it in for service, no leaks or indication of a problem other than the maintenance suggested. KBB Trade in for this vehicle is $9,000.00 to $10,000.00, fai
Power train, Engine, Mar 27, 2023
My engine failed. It's available for inspection upon request. The engine stalled in the middle of high traffic. I called GM customer care and explained to them what happened. They told me to take it to a GM dealership for diagnosis, (it was already diagnosed by a major company). The dealership confirmed a broken timing chain and bent valves. They also said that it was $12,000 to repair and that GM would only cover $1,200 since its out of drive train warranty. They request that I put down $8,657 before they could order a new engine. The codes the car gave were P0016, P0017, P228D, P0089, and P0341.
Engine, Mar 16, 2023
The engine cracked during the negative degree weather during Christmas Eve and the spark plugs were broken in half also as a result to this. Not sure if it is from the oil change that was done or if it was from the weather. But as a result the vehicle has been sitting due to this terrible mishap. I did get regular oil changes so I feel that this is not something that should have happen. But when the vehicle was towed to Firestone they stated it was a common situation with the Chevy Equinox. I am totally disappointed because I have a great vehicle but it is not of use to me with a crack seal on the engine due to this malfunction.
Engine, Mar 13, 2023
Oil consumption issues, faulty valves caused decreased engine pressure light, engine light. Unable to go over 25 m/h and now will not even start. Told this is a known issues with vehicle and I need a new engine.
Power train, Engine, Mar 8, 2023
My 2017 equinox which I purchased at this dealership starting burning excessive oil and has bad piston rings, they quoted me a $9500 for engine... I had those issues at 97500 miles and the dealership failed to properly inspect and fix the rings even though this motor was known for these issues. The failed piston rings should have been fixed when my vehicle was covered under warranty at approx 97,500 miles! My equinox has approx 100,600 miles on it currently and has sat for 1.5 months. So 600 miles past the warranty and now it needs a new engine? It needs a new engine because the service department knowingly failed to thoroughly fix my car when I had it in at 97,500 miles.
Engine, Mar 4, 2023
Cold evening, short drive required. Started car with remote, cleared remaining ice and snow (uneventful) First portion of trip uneventful - engine failed on return trip. Fortunate to be alive as car “suddenly” began making clatter from engine. No indications of trouble by any display or warning features of vehicle. Car began lurching - icy roads - 4 degrees outside temperature Dealership and repair work performed by Mills Chevrolet - 6600 Elmore Ave., Davenport, Iowa (563) 345-5000 Paperwork (handwritten technician’s notes on documents) provide that dealership profited more than $4,000 for “core” replacement engine. GM manufactured and provided vehicles with 2.4 liter Ecotec engines which suffered one class action law suit, essentially, ignoring future generation production and sales to end users, by continuing to manufacture and provide such vehicles to their dealership representatives. (Mills Chevrolet, Davenport, Iowa) dealership sold this vehicle (as well as others) with this KNOWN DEFECTIVE ENGINE. Sold again as a used car and profited from that sale - and profited from the repairs which became necessary as a result of failure of their KNOWN DEFECTIVE ENGINE. GM should be put on notice that their product is defective and dangerous (and costly) to operate. And, as a direct result of their negligence, as it relates to their known engine dilemma and their reluctance to honor a positive sales position with potential sales customers - in my opinion, it is a matter of time before someone is hurt dramatically or killed, and, as a direct result of GM and their representatives continuing negligence have caused harm to thousands of reported customers, who have suffered IDENTICAL situations of engine failure. GM should be held accountable for their continued negligence and hidden or under reported operating costs and concerns with the vehicles which have the suspect 2.4 liter Ecotec engine installed in them.
Engine, Feb 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds that progressively became louder. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that she lifted the hood to inspect the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the message "Oil Pressure Low. Turn Engine Off" was displayed. A towing agent informed the contact that oil had leaked significantly underneath the vehicle while she was driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear main seal was blown out, causing the engine oil leak. The dealer informed the contact that the cold weather had frozen the PCV, which became cluttered and blew out, causing the rear main seal to be blown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,550.
Engine, Feb 10, 2023
Rear Main engine seal failure due to blocked PCV system on 2.4 Liter DOHC. There is no GM maintenance schedule that informs the vehicle owner that this need regular maintenance in cold climate exposure. A 2015 GM Technical Service Bulletin, TSP 14882 refers to excess water/oil in PCV and a 2019 GM Diagnostic Bulletin, TIP 19-NA-021 refer to oil leak from rear of engine in exposure to cols weather. This is an obvious GM known issue with the PCV system that they have done nothing about and cost the vehicle owner a large repair bill. Mine was around $3900. No guarantee after the repair that this will remedy the situation from occurring again.