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 and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the camshaft was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was then taken to a second dealer Kelley Chevrolet (5220 Value Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46808) where it was diagnosed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was not properly travelling to the top of the engine, which caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Engine, Jul 28, 2022
Driving down the road I started experiencing very strange engine noises with no warning lights or other indications. When I arrived home I found that the dipstick showed no engine oil. Gauges showed no issue and engine oil life still showed well over 50% (I believe there were about 2600 miles since the oil change). I took it to the dealer and they indicated they could not find any source of oil leak, changed the oil and asked me to stop in at 1K miles to investigate. When we finally did have it checked the advised that pistons and rings needed to be replaced as well as timing components. Then I read online about significant oil consumption issues with this engine AND that there can be a sudden loss of oil causing the engine to seize up. This can cause the wheels to lock up and create a dangerous situation. The engine is now using about 2Qts per 1,000 miles but the gauges are still showing normal.
Engine, Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the check engine and traction stability warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle continued running but failed to exceed 15 MPH. The contact took back roads to her home and then later drove to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the ECO switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer two more times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Power train, Engine, May 19, 2022
Chevy is already well aware there is a prominent issue with timing chains on their equinox model and refuses to acknowledge or recall the issue. This is the second major repair I am needing to my vehicle in just barely over 1 year. Both the timing chain and the rear main seal need repairs in approx 1 years time. Again, these are known issues Chevy refuses to acknowledge that is costing many customers thousands of dollars.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 19, 2022
Rear main seal blew out due to known (and recalled in previous years) fault with the PCV valve. The check engine light never came on and neither did the oil light when there was no oil left due to the seal blowing out. This incident caused damage to crucial engine parts including the transmission.
Engine, Mar 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering and then lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the oil and noticed that there was no oil in the engine. The oil indicator showed 46 percent oil life remaining. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. Additionally, there was condensation in the engine and main seal had popped out. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Feb 14, 2022
The contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his daughter noticed that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he checked the oil level of the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was low on oil. The contact added 3 quarts of oil to the engine. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal sounds. The contact’s daughter veered to the side of the road. The contact met his daughter and checked the oil level. The contact noticed that the oil level was 2 quarts low and topped off the oil; however, the failure reoccurred the following day and the vehicle was jerking. The warning message “Reduced Power” was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve had caused a rear main seal failure, which damaged the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact inquired why his daughter’s vehicle was not included in GM Technical Service Bulletin No.: 14882 but the manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and slowing down, the vehicle started to lose power. The contact mentioned there was a strong odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that she then saw smoke, and drove her vehicle to the nearest independent mechanic. The contact was advised that her PCV valve had fractured due to it being frozen, causing the rear main oil seal to explode. The contact was also advised that the smoke was due to the oil leakage underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that she then had her vehicle towed to the dealer who advised that they had several vehicles that were the same year, make, and model as her vehicle, already being repaired for the same failure and that she had to take her vehicle to another dealer. The contact stated that she then had her vehicle towed to another dealer where it remains currently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000
Engine, Feb 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact was stranded in the cold for approximately four hours. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or TSB: PIP5093C. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the warranty program should be extended. The manufacturer was contacted but, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 90,261. Driving on the expressway at 65mph alarm went off so the consumer got off the expressway and stopped the car. Dead in the water.
Engine, Jan 24, 2022
Excessive oil consumption. My car started burning oil even though I get frequent oil changes and now my engine is blown.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2022
Yesterday, my son noticed that his 2017 Chevy Equinox LX four-cylinder was not accelerating as much. He purchased this vehicle only one year ago. It is a five-year-old vehicle with not many miles on it. The oil was just changed in November 2021. He only drives 8 miles to and from work. While stopped at a light or stop sign yesterday, my son's SUV would "putt-putt" or shut off completely. There was a strong smell of oil coming from the air vents and filling the SUV. When my son pulled over to park, he decided to check it out. From underneath the vehicle, where the transmission is located, there was a huge puddle of oil on the ground. A leak between the oil pan and transmission was discovered when my son took his car to his mechanic. It shouldn't be like this. I checked if there were any recalls. For 2017, I did not find any under the VIN number, however, there were quite a few complaints from customers about the same issue. Is there anything my son should do? He needs the car for work.
Engine, Jan 16, 2022
Regular oil changes. Most recent was 67 days prior to my 63500 mile engine being ruined due to No Oil. Was driving on the highway, first time the vehicle made any noise, within 2 miles car was completely done. Had it towed and mechanic said there was no sign of a hole, there was just no oil! He said it is a known problem with GM and that there are no motors available because everyone is having to replace! No diagnostic saying oil % was low or at 0%! New engine quote was $9000, would take at least a month to get and will have the same issue most likely.
Engine, Jan 16, 2022
My 2017 Chevy Equinox’s engine got ruined because of no oil. It’s impossible for no oil because I took it to the dealership for an oil change two months ago (November 12, 2021). It had 42,922 miles. On January 10th, with approximated 43,500 miles driven, my car started to shake on red lights or when on idle so the next day I took it to the dealership to figure out the problem with my car. They told me that I was driving with no oil. Which caused the engine to fail and has to be replaced, however I never got the low oil light. Warnings did apear on the dashboard, Low Oil Pressure, check engine light, and engine power reduce and service StabiliTrak but once I arrived to the dealership which was already too late by then. I was never informed by the oil consumption even by the dealership mechanics. Which I always took it there. Since it was my first car and being the newest car model at the time I always wanted to be well taken care of. And it’s impossible that the oil would be completely gone within two months and 590 miles driven. As of now, my car is currently being work on by a different auto shop. I’m going to pay up to $8,000 to get my engine replace. I’m in need in getting it repaired as fast as possible due to needing it to drive between jobs and picking up my siblings from work/school. Apparently I’m not the only person that has had this exact problem with their Chevy Equinox. Thankfully I experienced the problems when I was closed to the dealership and had no one with me. I read other people’s experience that they had a full car packed with family members or having the car staled in the middle of the street. This problem is a high risk to everyone on the road.
Engine, Jan 16, 2022
My 2017 equinox started sounding and running rough. It lost power and engine lights came on. Car died. Tried to drive it to dealership to get looked at and it continued to lose power and ended up having to tow it to dealership. They finally found the problem and said the timing belt stretched, causing all 16 valves to hit the pistons, bending all 16 valves. Only 73,000 miles on vehicle. Power train warranty expired at 60,000 miles (naturally) and will cost us $5500 to have fixed. My husband and i have had Chevrolet all our lives and never am issue like this. I feel this is a safety issue because this could have left me stranded on the side of the road in bitter cold weather. I feel it is a manufacturing defect that caused the issue and it should be covered by a power train warranty lasting longer than 60,000 miles!
Engine, Jan 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil as oil was found on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnosis was that the PCV valve was frozen however, the repairs were unknown to the contact as the mechanic stated that the issue was resolved. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic. The independent mechanic started the vehicle and noticed oil was leaking from the rear main seal. The engine and transmission needed to be removed to replace the rear main seal. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the mechanic informed him that there was a recall for the failure. The contact stated that he called the dealer and manufacture and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referring the failure to an unknown manufacturer recall. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
Engine, Jan 12, 2022
So I was driving home from work which is a 28 minute drive, when I was almost 2 miles away from home the car started to make a funny noise and it started to smell like gas inside from the vents.When I turned off a major street the the car slowed completely down without any warning on the dashboard and luckily I was right in front of a autoshop so I hurried up and pulled in. As soon as I pulled in, the car started to get smoky in the inside so I hurry up and jump out wasn't sure if the car was going to start a fire. When I go inside the shop it was a lady with the same car as mine but just gold and she was complaining that oil was pouring out. The owner of the shop asked me what's wrong because I was a little distraught and I told him my car just slowed down and start smoking inside of the car. He said what ok ill take it right in to see what's wrong. 10 mins later he comes out with a video on his phone showing oil leaking all around the the engine, Trans and front of the car all the way to the muffler. He said this is common with these Equinox with the 4 cylinder engine, the rear main seal did not hold and all the oil leaked out. I bust out crying, I didn't even make it to 3yrs yet and still owe 12,000 on the car. I keep up with oil changes and the car never said I was low on oil I checked, it showed 40%. The owner say calm down we can call the dealership to see if they have a recall. So we call they knew exactly what the problem was and ask how many miles I had and he say sorry your your 2,000 miles over your warranty, I'm sorry I can't do anything for you. The owner of the shop say sorry I see this all the time with these Equinox and its ridiculous we just found out the gold one have the exact same issue. I'm writing to you because I did some research and this is a common issue with this model. I seen a lot of the rear main seal fail when the temperature drop and the water build up where the cover of the engine is and freeze inside and the seal don't hold.
Engine, Jan 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, it was discovered that water was present inside the engine PCV. The contact was informed that the condition could lead to engine damage. The contact was informed that a hole needed to be drilled into the PCV unit to allow airflow. The contact was informed that the manufacturer had issued an extended warranty coverage for the issue however, her model year vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 22, 2021
Timing chain system and ABS
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 15, 2021
The engine/timing chain and heads for my 2017 Chevrolet Equinox failed. I only had this vehicle for 4 years 4 months with only 113,000 miles. I feel my safety was put at risk because out of nowhere my vehicle began jerking and bucking back in forth very badly. I had my vehicle totally diagnosed with Gateway Tire Center and Service, which cost me $283.17, just for a diagnosis. My vehicle has not been inspected due to this vehicle was brand new with zero miles when I purchased it on October 30, 2016. All maintenance has been kept up regularly on my vehicle. Before my vehicle all of sudden quit running there were no indications that there was a problem until the engine light popped on after it started the jerking and bucking back in forth. I am highly upset with the dealership who sold me this vehicle because I know they knew this vehicle would not operate any more after a certain amount of mileage. I should not have to be trying to car shop this early on for a new vehicle. I am only 13000 to 14000 miles outside of my warranty with this vehicle it is no way I should have to either purchase a new engine or buy a new vehicle. I need something done about this immediately.
Engine, Apr 25, 2021
HAD ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND ONLY DRIVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES TO AND FROM WORK DAILY. ON A VERY FRIGID WINTER DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR STARTED SHAKING, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND CAR CAME TO A STOP. GOT IT TAKEN TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO SAID THEY HAD 3 OTHER EQUINOXES IN THE SHOP THE LAST 2 DAYS OF FRIGID COLD WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FIX FOR A REAR MAIN SEAL REPAIR, AFTER THEY HAD DONE A DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION AND MULTI POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION. THIS REPAIR COST US OVER $2000. OUR MECHANIC ADVISED US TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE OF SEEING SEVERAL MODELS WITH SAME ISSUE, INCLUDING MY FATHER'S CHEVROLET EQUINOX WHO WAS IN THE SHOP 3 DAYS BEFORE OURS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU
Engine, Mar 12, 2021
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE APRIL 2019. HAVE PROOF OF 6 OIL CHANGES AND PROPER MAINTENANCE WHILE DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS, BUT DUE TO NO WARNINGS OF LOW OIL ON THE VEHICLE AND WITH A CONFIRMED DEFECT STATED BY MY MECHANIC. THIS 2.4 L ECOTEC ENGINE HAS MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECTS. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. FURTHER RESEARCH CONFIRMS THIS DEFECT BEYOND THE STATED 2010- 2013 RECALL.
Engine, Mar 5, 2021
I JUST DROPPED MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL AND WAS HEADED HOME WHEN MY CAR STARTED STALLING, AND OIL PRESSURE LOW WARNING CAME ON. A FEW MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. I STARTED IT AGAIN LONG ENOUGH TO ROLL INTO A PARKING LOT BESIDE ME. I'VE HAD MY CAR TOWED 3TIMES, FIRST TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO QUOTED ME A $1,400 FIX FOR A SEAL REPAIR, AFTER THEY HAD DONE A DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY COULD ASSIST IN A TRADE IN BECAUSE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED. I WOULD FIRST NEED TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. I GOT TWO OTHER OPINIONS AT RESPECTABLE GARAGES WHO SAID IT WAS MY REAR MAIN SEAL AND BOTH QUOTED $2,400. I HAD TO GET A LOAN TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. FOLLOWING THE FIX, THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE IT AND SAID THE BRAND NEW SEAL BLEW AGAIN. THEY DID RESEARCH AND SAW THERE IS A MANUFACTURER MALFUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE AND TO COMPLETE THE TASKS TO RECONFIGURE MY ENGINE SO IT COULD WORK PROPERLY AND THE SAME PROBLEM NOT HAPPEN, IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $800 BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WITH MY FIRST STOP BEING THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, I AM UPSET I'VE HAD TO PAY OVER $3,000 ON MY CAR AND NOW IT'S NOT EVEN GUARANTEED TO BE FIXED. CHEVY MECHANICS SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THIS ISSUE WHEN I ORIGINALLY TOOK MY CAR THERE. IT'S BEEN A MONTH NOW I'VE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR. AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY HAVING TO RENT CARS AND USING UBER/LYFT WHEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED A MONTH AGO WHEN I ORIGINALLY SOUGHT THE DEALERSHIP' HELP.
Power train, Engine, Mar 1, 2021
MY CAR HAS 63000 MILES ON IT. I KEEP UP WITH ALL OIL CHANGES. I HAVE A 30 MIN HWY DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK DAILY. I WAS DRIVING HONE FROM WORK ON SUPER COLD DAY BELOW ZERO IN ILLINOIS. HALFWAY THREW MY RIDE HOME CAR SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER 50 PERCENT. YOU CAN TELL CAR WAS DRIVING ROUGH. THEN EXITED ON MY EXIT AND SLOWED DOWN TO PULL OVER AND CAR SAID LOW OIL TURN OFF ENGINE CAR SHOOK AND SHUT DOWN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED OIL IT WAS EMPTY!!! WE FILLED IT AND BROUGHT TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY GOT BACK TO US TOLD US WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PISTON RING BROKE AND NEED TO FIX FOR 2200. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM WITH NO HELP TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THIER VEHICLE DEFECT THAT CLEARLY IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIER VEHICLES. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT DEALER BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY SAID MY YEAR IS NOT RECALLED YET!!
Engine, Mar 1, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AS THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONE DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ADDING OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK UNCONTROLLABLY AND A BLUEISH SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EAST HILLS CHEVROLET OF ROSLYN( 1036 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576) WHERE AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT HER ENGINE SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
I WAS IN A MCDONALDS DRIVE THRU WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG PETROLEUM SMELL. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND FOUND OIL GUSHING FROM THE ENGINE. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE PCV SYSTEM HAD CLOGGED AND CAUSED THE CRANKCASE TO PRESSURIZE, THEREBY BLOWING THE REAL MAIN SEAL. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OR I COULD HAVE LOST ALL THE OIL AND SUFFERED AN ENGINE SEIZURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I GOT NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN SMELL AND VISUAL EXAMINATION. THE REPAIRS WERE QUOTED AT $2320. AFTER COMPLAINING TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY PROVIDED COST ASSISTANCE WHICH REDUCED THE PRICE TO $954 PLUS TAX. ON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2010-2014 CHEVY EQUINOX FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. THE 2015-2017 CHEVY EQUINOX HAS THE SAME 2.4 LITER ECOTEC ENGINE BUT GM HAS NOT SEEN FIT TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THOSE YEARS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I HAD 83,773 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM, SARCHIONE CHEVROLET IN RANDOLPH, OHIO. FURTHER CONTACT WITH GM GOT THEM TO PAY ANOTHER $400 (WHICH I HAVE NOT RECEIVED YET) BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT GM IS AWARE OF BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGING BY EXTENDING THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL 3 YEARS THAT THIS ENGINE WAS AVAILABLE IN THE EQUINOX.