The Most Common Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems & Fixes

The Chevy Equinox is loved by car enthusiasts and the media alike. It was ranked second in 2014 after the Silverado and has been featured in hundreds of films.

Overall, this SUV is a practical and reliable choice. But that doesn’t mean Equinox hasn’t had its issues. If you are considering a new or used Chevy Equinox, here are the most common owners have reported.

Excessive Oil Consumption

Excessive oil consumption is a problem that Chevrolet engines have had for many years and the Chevrolet Equinox engine hasn’t shaken that curse. Some drivers notice that their Chevy Equinox needs to be brought in for oil changes far more often than it should. Sometimes, this is two or three times more than what a vehicle should normally require.

Chevy Equinox’s oil consumption problem is so serious that legal action was taken. Owners brought an oil consumption lawsuit against Chevy and won a settlement of more than $40 million. The settlement only applies to vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2013. Furthermore, companies like Reman-Transmission saw a significant increase in sales of their remanufactured Chevrolet Equinox engines, https://reman-engine.com/remanufactured-engines/chevrolet.

If your Chevy Equinox requires oil changes more often than the minimum model year, you may not be eligible to receive financial assistance from Chevy. Do not neglect to change your oil! Your vehicle could suffer serious damage if it runs low on oil.

A Heater that Only Cools

If you are looking forward to heating your car during the winter, you may find yourself stuck in the cold because of recurring Equinox heater problems. Many Equinox heaters fail to blast warm air, leaving drivers shivering in the cold.

This can be very annoying, especially if you live in an area with extreme temperatures.

This Chevy Equinox repair could end up costing you. An Equinox heater core replacement could cost you up to $1,000.

Transmission Failure

The Chevy Equinox transmission is not the most reliable on the market. Some models, including the 2010 model, have reported transmission failures quite early.

After 50,000 miles, Chevy Equinox 2010 transmissions often begin to splutter, jerk and fail. Owners are often told they will probably need a new transmission when they bring their vehicle into the shop.

Drivers are responsible for any repair costs up to $3,000 because the problem rarely occurs until after the warranty expires. Drivers who expect their transmission to last for at least 200,000 miles can find this a significant expense.

Malfunctioning ABS

Many Chevy Equinox owners report ABS problems. This could be anything from brakes that don’t work at all, to brakes that apply slowly or abruptly while driving. Drivers may have to stop suddenly, which could lead to serious car accidents.

Chevy Equinox brake recalls were issued for 2019 and 2018. This was to correct the problem caused by a defective surface coating on the rear brake calipers.

Many drivers have had problems with other models of Chevys. Sometimes, the ABS light will not illuminate. Sometimes, the brakes will start randomly pulsating. This could affect any Chevy model, from 2005 to 2019, and may also be a problem with Equinox overall.

Unexplained Electrical Problems

Until your vehicle stops working, you don’t realize the importance of electricity.

All models of the Chevy Equinox from 2005 to 2014 have electrical problems. These can include the vehicle not turning off or the lights flashing excessively. Drivers have reported seeing smoke or fire in their cars due to malfunctioning wires.

Some drivers may find it a minor inconvenience like the starter not turning on the first attempt. For other owners, this Chevy Equinox issue can be a serious hazard. You never know when an inconvenience may turn into smoke while you’re driving. At least five fires resulting from electrical problems have been reported so far. Many more may have gone unreported.

There are many ways to fix the problem and different mechanics may offer different solutions. You can expect to spend at least $100 to diagnose the problem and fix it.

The Bottom Line

Despite these problems, the Chevy Equinox is considered to be a reliable vehicle that will get you to and from every destination. J.D. Power, a popular source for information in the automotive industry, awarded the 2021 model an 85/100 reliability score.