2010 Chevrolet Equinox: engine failure

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 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 Dec 13, 2023 · Engine · CA

We were unaware of the oil consumption issue related to the 2010 Equinox. As a result we purchased one with less then 100 k miles, changed the oil, and sent my college bound daughter off with it. After driving just 4-5k miles in about 3-4 months the oil was very low and ruined the engine! Now we are facing an engine replacement if the vehicles is even worth investing that much more money.

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IN

Engine cylinders & seals are faulty and easily crack causing the car to STOP /STALL WHILE IN DRIVE! I NEARLY HIT A SEMI-TRUCK BECAUSE THE CAR STOPED MID DRIVE AND THE CAR JERKED SO HARD THAT THE WHEEL JERKED TO THE SIDE AND THEN LOCKED!! AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO GLIDE IN A CIRCLE BECAUSE IT DIDNT STOP ALL THE WAY I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID THE SEMI, WHAT SAVED MY LIFE WAS THE CLEAR ROAD THAT ALLOWED THE SEMI TO GO AROUND ME!! MY CAR LITERALLY SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ACROSS THE YELLOW LINE! This issue persists and corrupts the ENTIRE fuel system, catalytic conveyer, resonator, and timing chain SIMULTANEOUSLY! This causes each owner to replace the entire engine because it simply can not be fixed. Fixing or repairing one of the components does NOT fix the issue or stop the engine from failing, all must be replaced! Even after replacing it all THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE NEW ENGINE! This is a engine malfunction. The entire car/engine/blueprint should be destroyed and recalled!!! Even the mechanics and dealers are asking why these vehicles still exist and saying that the engine for this car is junk and it’s so common for this to happen to the point that there are NO USED ENGINES FOR UNDER $2500!!! Majority of the mechanics are even REFUSING to repair/replace the engine in this car because it’s a waste of time & money because the next engine NEW OR USED will do the same EXACT thing!! NO ONE IS GOING TO PAY $10,000+ for a NEW ENGINE or even $2500+ for a USED ENGINE PLUS $2000+ FOR LABOR ONLY FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AFTER SPENDING $5000 - $12000+

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 Feb 4, 2022 · Engine · FL

BAD ENGINES ARE A KNOWN FACT FOR THIS VEHICLE. JUST TOO LATE FOR ME. FOUND OUT TOO LATE THAT A NEW ENGINE IS OVER $5000,. According to the dealer and an independent repair shop it is not unusual for this vehicle to have engine problems. Uses excess amounts of oil and lights are late to come on. Expensive to tear down the engine,. So all they can do is the best knowledge of what they see and hear. The reviews for this car state the same thing. Cost more to repair than vehicle is worth. Once again a GMC product gets me. Just because my folks liked them. NO MORE FOR ME>

Filed Apr 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Car consumes entirely to much oil. Every week I am putting 2 quarts of oil in even after getting a fresh oil change. Engine is loud/rattling has been ever since I purchased the car. I have been putting money in this car since I purchased it. Now check engine light is on. Says I need a new timing from what I am being told that is basically a new engine. The radio goes out and comes back on, yesterday the volume on the radio was going up & down by itself. The main issue is a engine and the oil. There is no way this is a known issue with almost every compliant that I have seen so far and there has been no recall on this how insane. I will never purchase another car from gm again! The windshield wiper motor went out twice, this is a overall terrible engine and car. The car is loud when it is running and when you accelerate, turn the car all of the above. I had the muffler and some other things fixed and it's still loud, the noise is coming from the engine.

Filed Mar 26, 2021 · Engine · 94,000 miles · TN

This year and model of the chevrolet equinox has a known issue for oil consumption. I am getting an oil change, on average, every 1,500 miles. My car has stall while driving on the interstate. It stalls most mornings after being turned on for 15-20 seconds. I've also had it stall when changing gears. This is very unsafe for any driver and then engine needs to be replaced.

Filed Jul 6, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 115,721 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated and the reduced engine power message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was restarted and driven to all american chevrolet of san angelo (203 bryant blvd n, san angelo, tx 76903) where the throttle body was replaced however, the failure recurred. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered with a message stating 'all four wheels are off' displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer where the front hub bearing and passenger's side front wheel speed sensor were replaced. The contact called back to the same dealer to report an issue with the transmission. While on her way to the dealer, the vehicle hesitated without warning while driving at various speeds. While inspecting of the vehicle, the contact discovered transmission fluid had leaked all over her engine. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered $400.00 towards the cost of a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,721. *bf

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Engine · 197,023 miles · VA

I was driving down the road with my husband, three small children and unborn child when my equinox shut off I'm the middle of me driving and white smoke appeared from under the hood. It would start but as soon as I put it into gear the engine would cut off. Finally the engine just completely stopped cutting on. My husband, a police officer and a good samaritan were able to push the chevy off the road into the ditch safely. The chevy then had to be towed to a car shop to get looked at. This vehicle cut off in the middle of me driving it!!! With children in the back. Then engine blew a hole through it. Less than 200,000 miles on it with brand new spark plugs and a fresh oil change. Certain models of chevy have an engine defect which is internally in the engine. Your vehicle will burn oil with no oil light coming on to let you know. There's no leak coming from anywhere. The engine just drinks it all up within a few days and then will blow up if you're not knowledgeable about vehicles. I was on a busy road when all of this happened. We could have been seriously injured if it wasn't for us going less than the speed limit.

Filed Feb 26, 2020 · Engine · 140,000 miles · OH

While driving the vehicle without warning or any evidence of problem I turned the corner of a intersection and the engine while still running lost all power for acceleration. Luckily there was no injury to myself or the vehicle. I shut the engine off and it would not restart , there seemed to be no pressure it was later determin hat the timing chain and camshaft broke sending metal through out the engine. Resulting in the need for a new engine. This is problem cause by the oil consumption recall on this vehicle which I did have repaired. The oil was full and truck drove great one minute then the next minute the engine was gone chevy needs to evaluate and help consumers with these type problem related to known recalls. We have invested or money in a product that fails us due to engineering issues causing the consumer added expenses

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 160,000 miles · VA

When I purchased this vehicle, I was not told that the engine was replaced. I have replaced the exhaust manifold 2 times. The dealer told me that there is metal fragments in my oil. That I need a new engine.