2010 Chevrolet Equinox: check engine light

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine · CO

This 2010 Chevy Equinox has the 2.4 liter motor that is recalled in similar vehicles by Chevrolet due to the piston rings having “blow by”. We have had to carry a quart of oil because of the constant consumption of oil, which led to the catalytic converter getting clogged. Most recently while traveling to Denver cylinder 3 lost compression and put the vehicle into “limp mode” on [XXX] (XXX) with traffic traveling at 75MPH and our car doing 20 MPH trying to exit. I spoke to Chevy customer service several years ago and was told “Yes we know the issue however your VIN isn’t part of our recall, we’ve satisfied the NHTSB call for action”. In my research loss of compression due to “blow by” can be direct correlation to engine failure. Oil was checked as I always do before any road trip, no engine lights or warning signs were present, we were 210 miles from home when this happened, and had to rent a car to continue our trip to Denver and return home to retrieve a truck and trailer to pick up our broken down vehicle located in Silverthorne. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to approximately 75 MPH. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle stalled, and the contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer it was purchased from. The dealer informed the contact that there was no oil in the vehicle even though an oil change had been performed on the vehicle. The dealer replaced the upper part of the engine; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering, made abnormal sounds and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lower part of the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for the VIN to be added in an unknown related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Engine · 107,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the engine was consuming one quart of oil every 1,000 miles driven. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated since becoming aware of the oil consumption issue. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

I purchased this vehicle back last year and I put a lots of money into the engine and having troubles with it I’m just now finding out this type of vehicle I have has been recalled and I’m trying to see is there some type of way I can get it fix without coming out of my pockets like I already had engine light still on after I got the part put on and I don’t have money like that to keep getting it fix I have low income and trying to take my kids to school sometimes I be afraid to drive cause it keeps cutting off in middle of traffic problems with the catalytic converter and 02 sensors I change everything and still having trouble and out of money can somebody please help me no incidents just a recall and bad motor

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 124,823 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, stalled, and made a clicking sound while idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the exhaust camshaft timing was over-advanced beyond limits for a predetermined period, the system performance catalyst was low efficiency, and the evaporator systems had a small leak. The contact stated that two calipers and the boot of the axle were previously repaired due to a leak. The mechanic stated that the contact needed to replace the engine variable valve timing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,823.

Filed Apr 15, 2023 · Engine · NC

Purchased a 2010 Chevy Equinox from this Chevy dealer in the Pinehurst NC area in December 2022. Heard knocking noise start mid-March 2023. Vehicle seemed to go into "limp" mode and lost power (dangerous situation had vehicle been on interstate with no shoulder or exit ramp or could have been rear-ended due to sudden lack of power). No check engine light on at any time or when vehicle was taken to another Chevy dealer (March 20, 2023). Initially, Chevy dealer stated there were no issues. Insisted that the vehicle be checked again. Dealer took vehicle on test drive and then put on lift. Chevy dealer then stated oil loss issues and need to replace timing chains, actuators, gaskets, pistons, piston rings, oil coolant, water pump, balance chain, and other related parts. This is a design flaw in engine and piston rings causing excessive oil consumption which then leads to failure of other components. Was advised to change oil every 3,500 miles as opposed to going by the "oil" light and advised only to drive the vehicle sparingly and only if absolutely needed to drive.

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Engine · 185,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle began to lose forward motion. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the check engine and engine power reduced warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and he was able to pull off the roadway. The contact stopped and placed the vehicle in park(P) however, when he attempted to restart the vehicle, the vehicle would not restart. The contact checked the oil and saw that there was no oil on the dipstick. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence where he was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2022 · Engine, Steering · MI

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for the rear tire inspection, the dealer diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the timing chain; however, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to Matthews-Hargreaves Chevrolet (2000 Twelve Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067) and diagnosed with rack and pinion, cylinder misfire, and catalytic converter failure. The dealer informed the contact that the rack and pinion and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the windshield wipers failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle would remain on after the key was taken out of the ignition. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and reimbursed the contact for the timing chain replacement. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 17, 2022 · Engine · IA

Excessive engine repairs. I have done all the recalls and in November had to again have major engine work done on my car for excessive oil usage damaging the engine. I have also twice had transmission problems. In November my car just shut down in the middle of the highway and required major engine work done again. I have always made sure to do all the proper maintenance on this car. Now I am out of warranty and looking at around $6000 more in repairs again. I have been told by several car places that have looked at this car that there have been many problems with this car‘s engine. Engine light repeatedly goes on and when checked and fix goes off and goes back on within a week again. I have talk to GMC and they said because I am no longer under warranty nothing can be done. I feel like this car needs to be either replaced or the engine needs to be replaced by them. This last time has made me very worried since my car completely died in the middle of a busy highway.

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 182,372 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust module and the camshaft actuators needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at 60 MPH, the warning message "Reduced Power" illuminated. The contact stated that he immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that he continued to drive the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the accelerator pedal had failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 182,372.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

I have had my vehicle for only a year and bought it used from a dealership here in town. I understand that the vehicle is nearly 12 years old though I have seen vehicles that were way older and not have half the problems that I am having with mine and it has been well keep and maintenance has been up to date. Early this week my car had been warming up for nearly 30 minutes and I put it in drive and it jerk harder then normal. I just thought it was because it went from hot to cold outside overnight that that was the problem. Though as I was driving down the street my check engine light came on and the vehicle was stalling in between 35-40 mph. So I got it check out and the code said that it was a transmission shift solenoid. I then took it to Chevy to make sure that, that was the issues and the dealership Penske Chevrolet confirmed that it was and that many of the Equinox’s, cruzes, and traverses from the year 2009 until 2019 Health exact same issue and that several people did the complaint form in their dealership I did research online and it’s true many people complain about this issue but I think they don’t know where to go to file a proper complaint. I think that this problem not being recalled is absurd because it’s costing people nearly 4, five, $6000 because of this issue when if many and I do mean many people are having this issue then chevy needs to fix this.

Filed May 5, 2021 · Engine · 79,000 miles · SC

I took my SUV to the dealership on 1-8-2020 and informed them that engine light stayed on,and had a little shake, felt like it was going to cut off,and it was burning oil,left vehicle at dealership for a couple of hours, got a call saying there was no oil on dip stick, so there was a oil change did, and told to drive for 1000 miles then return for recheck,possible camshaft position fault,drove car ,but before it meet the 1000 miles in had to add a quart of oil to vehicle this was over the weekend, called and informed dealership they said to bring it back so they could check it, took SUV back and was told they couldn't find nothing wrong, but it was still taking alot of oil, now the camshaft is no good, they just didn't want to fix the problem when the warranty was on it, now that the warranty is gone they want me to pay for the work,fyi there was a warranty on the SUV when I was complaining so it could have be fixed then,the same problem I was complaining about,is the same problem I got now,why do dealerships always get over people, the camshaft went out 11-23-2020