2012 Chevrolet Equinox: engine stalls while driving

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Fuel system · IL

Recently got an oil change, and in a month I’ve had to “top-off” my oil. Constantly have to make sure I carry a few quarts of oil to make sure my oil is filled. One day, I forgot to check the oil and my car was stalling on a busy road. Had to pull over to make sure I put the oil in there. Everyone that I’ve asked said they have the same issue. I stopped asking people after the 10th person. My uncle is a mechanic and he said the same thing about the oil. He said he wasn’t sure where is goes but it just disappears.

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Fuel system · ME

So I know of atleast 4 Chevrolet equinox's all haveing the exact same issue doesn't matter milage all in the same area which have a issue saying engine power system low then it starts to studder and often stalls out or then over revs and trys to take off like it's been slingshotted which is unsafe even after repairing many issues it is coming up as and nothing seems to fix said issue. Also timing jumping and after being professionally fixed it jumps timing again shortly after being repaired also milage doesn't seem to be a factor in this issue as I have 1 that has jumped timing with only 150k miles while the other days after timing was all repaired jumped timing again and it has like 200+k miles and I know of atleast 2 others in the area having the same exact issue.

Filed Sep 25, 2023 · Engine · GA

I purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with 100,550 miles on it in April 2023. The original owner gave me all service receipts & records to show the automobile had been taken great care of. The interior & exterior are still in like new condition. The problem I've experienced is sudden "reduced engine power" that caused the engine to stall while driving. Two weeks prior, I had had a service check with an oil change and the works. I had it towed and to my surprise, the mechanic showed me that my automobile didn't have ANY oil. The oil indicator light NEVER came on. Afterwards, I did research and discovered that GM is aware of this exact problem in this particular make and model and been sued in a class action lawsuit for this and lost. WHY HAVEN'T THEY ISSUED A RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PISTONS THAT CAUSES THIS?

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Engine · KY

Car is using a quart or more of oil a week. Consistently needing top offs and has shut off while driving before. This is a major safety issue. There is a major possibility I could be driving down the road and my engine explode because it ran out of oil. There is no leak. It is just the oil burning so fast. There is no resolution asides from putting a new engine in it and that is not something I can afford considering I just got the car from a dealership back in November. If there is not a recall on it, there should be. The oil will be full and then suddenly get super black and then next day be empty.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Engine · AR

Eats up oil, no oil leaks, shuts off while driving but will start back up. But it's dangerous when your on the interstate and it quits running and traffic is behind you. Multiple of people with this model experience the same thing with the oil consumption, and dying on them even after replacing multiple items that were suggested the vehicle needed but made it worse and now doesn't want to drive when pushing the gas pedal when it is running and in drive

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MN

I was driving my equinox coming up on a red traffic light. Upon pushing down on the brake pedal the radio shut off and the dash started flashing all of the lights very rapidly. The light turned green and i pushed on the accelerator, and there was little or no power and the car killed. I was in the intersection so I quickly put it in park and the car restarted, but had very little power. I was now on a slight incline so I barely made it into gas station and before I could park the car stalled again. Now the doors were locked and I could not unlock them. Did I mention I live in MN and the temp was -9 (31 below windchill) and I was stuck in my car. Horn, doors and windows would not work. It got very cold very quick! After trying and trying 15 min later the doors unlocked. I am 64 and disabled. A man gave me a jump and the car ran roughly without power for about 2 min. and died again. I called a friend who came and jumped the car. He left the cables on for 10 min. or so and had me try it. I was about 3/4 mile from home and he unhooked the cables and said "Go! Go!" so I raced toward home. He followed and a block before home the car killed again! He jumped it again and I got it home. The "service stabilitrack, front camera and all wheel drive" warning lights were all flashing in sequence as was the battery light on the dash and the "charging system" warning. I had the alternator and battery replaced, all fuses and connections checked, and all cables and terminals checked. It still will not hold a charge, and it is my only means of transportation. It is a VERY large paperweight! I see pages of complaints, yet there is no recall. If I was in a more secluded area I could have froze to death! Is that what it will take? Loss of life? Let me state that before this happened there was NO WARNING! No lights came up that there was a problem. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Engine · PA

When outside temp is at 60 degrees or below car will stall out after it is put in gear. Letting the car warm up does not stop this problem. Only way to keep it running is by putting it in neutral when coming to a stop. I have previously taken to a dealer (Tom Hesser Chevrolet) who stated it happened to them but they did not have a code come up so they could not fix it. Car also sounds rough at start up. Car previously failed the oil consumption test and had new pistons and solenoids put it. I am concerned from reading about others with this issue that it will be a costly repair of either the drive chain or engine replacement. This has been happening for the past 3 years when the weather gets cold so I deal with this all winter long, October- April. I have no documents to upload as no work has been done due to the lack of a code. Will also note when my car failed the oil consumption test the oil light never came on. I questioned the dealer about this & they stated there is no warning light for low oil but when I turn the car on and all the lights on the dash come on there is a low oil light.

Filed Aug 25, 2022 · Engine · 134,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed there was oil in the engine and the engine and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2022 · Engine · 126,094 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign and depressing on the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle but heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle then stalled while parking at a nearby parking lot. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with Manufacturer Communications number 17329; however, the vehicle was not included. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure and was informed that the VIN was associated with the Manufacturer's recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,094. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Nov 24, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while she was at the stop light, the vehicle temporarily stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact also stated that the ignition switch of the vehicle would not turn all the way to the locking position and would fail to release the key after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the rearview camera inadvertently turned black while reversing. The dealer was not notified of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and advised the contact that they could not assist with the repair of the vehicle because the VIN was included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 18, 2021 · Engine · MA

Car stalled on highway after picking up my children from school. Purchased this car in March 2021 from a used dealership. After the stalling incident, the car started back up. Since that incident the car has been having a rough Idle and stalls when parked, stopped at a light, stopped at a stop sign and also stalls while letting pedestrians cross the street. I have also been having trouble with oil consumption. I have receipts, and I am getting oil changes every 2-3 months with synthetic oil. Oil needs to be changed way before mileage and also before date due for a change. Synthetic oil is supposed to last up to 6,000 miles or every 6 months. I only use my car for travels to work, bringing children to and from school, and travels for necessity purposes only. All my travels are within 5 miles of my home. The car seems to be burning oil very quickly. I have also noticed that the car gets worse while idling every time I need an oil change. It will run fine for a short while then the rough idle starts up again. I have read many complaints in regards to the same vehicle with the same issues. I have spoken with local mechanics and auto shops and have also heard many people having the same troubles with the same vehicle. I am a single parent of 3 children and I feel very unsafe driving my vehicle. My children do need to get to school and I do need to get to work. I feel that this should be considered as a recall on this vehicle. There are hundreds of reviews and comments of other people with the same issues I am having. This is very unsafe especially to stall out anywhere. Best regards -Natasha

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Engine · WI

While trying to back up my engine stalls, engine stalls switching into drive and engine stalls while stopped at stop lights or stop signs. Was almost in several accidents today due to engine constantlystalling out. Check engine light came on reading code : P0010-00