2013 Chevrolet Equinox: engine stalls while driving

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · KS

Excessive oil consumption i have the same 2.1 liter echo tech engine that was previously involved in the lawsuit against General Motors for the 2013 chevy equinox excessive oil consumption. My car has stalled, jerked and keeps me in the auto parts stores buying oil all the time even long before time to change the oil.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

My 2013 Chevrolet Equinox (~132,000 miles) has a serious and unsafe oil consumption problem. I had a full oil change, and only two weeks later the dipstick was completely dry. The vehicle provided no warning lights, no low-oil indication, and the GM Oil Life Monitoring System gave an inaccurate reading, failing to alert me to the critically low oil level. On November 25, 2025, while stopped with my foot firmly on the brake, the vehicle began constantly jumping and jerking forward as if it was trying to move on its own. During driving, I also began hearing a loud crunching, metal-on-metal noise whenever I accelerated or drove under 50 mph. Because these symptoms started suddenly and were severe, I took the vehicle to my mechanic the same day. On November 26, 2025, the mechanic confirmed that the engine had suffered major internal damage due to running with almost no oil. The timing chain and VVT components needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed that oil starvation caused this failure despite a recent oil change, and the inaccurate oil life monitoring system contributed to the hazard by failing to alert me to the critically low oil. This defect presents a significant safety hazard, as the vehicle can jerk unexpectedly, stall, lose power, or suffer sudden engine failure while driving, all without warning. I have since learned that excessive oil consumption and inaccurate oil life readings are widespread in GM 2.4L Ecotec engines. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this safety-related defect.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Engine · KY

I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing and serious safety-related timing chain issue with my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LT. The timing chain loses tension intermittently, which places the vehicle at immediate risk of significant engine damage, stalling, or complete loss of power during operation. This issue compromises the vehicle’s ability to operate safely in traffic. A sudden failure of the timing chain system can result in abrupt engine shutdown, without any warning lights or diagnostic codes to alert the driver. This creates a dangerous situation, particularly when traveling at highway speeds, merging into traffic, or navigating intersections. The timing chain defect in this model appears to be a known and recurring problem among owners of similar GM engines, and there is evidence suggesting design flaws contributing to premature wear and tension problems. However, this vehicle has not been included in prior recalls addressing similar timing chain failures. I rely on this vehicle for essential travel and live on SSDI, which limits my ability to cover repeated high-cost repairs for what appears to be a manufacturer-related safety defect. The risk of sudden engine failure with no prior indication is unacceptable and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request the federal safety agency review this concern as a potential recall safety issue, given the clear risk of power loss and danger to both myself and other drivers on the road.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Engine · NH

This car burned through oil like you would not believe. I was unaware of the issues surrounding the engine in my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox until my engine stalled and completely shutdown while I was driving to work in January 2025. I was very lucky I was the only one on the road at the time and was able to move the car to the shoulder but had I been on the highway, I could’ve died in a wreck that would cause. Huge safety issue. The low oil pressure light came on right before but hadn’t done so at all prior and I had been super deligent with all oil changes. It truly just burned up all that oil and the engine to this day has yet to start again. Purchased the car used in Santa Ana, CA in. February 2024. Mechanics had looked it over thoroughly during purchase and before we took it across country and found zero issues yet 11 months later the engine was toast. Now I am stuck with a piece of garbage in my driveway that I still owe money on. This has to be a violation of consumer laws now knowing that GM has been aware of this issue for over a decade!

Filed Jun 29, 2025 · Engine · NC

Gm motors sent a recall for 2013 chevy equinox due to bad pistons and excessive oil consumtion . Took to dealership to attempt to fix but they denied to. My car now stalls after a thousand miles in after oil change and it continues to do so while I'm driving. I'm concerned as for my own safety and the others that my car might suddenly die on the highway while traveling to work. I need help with this matter please.

Filed Dec 24, 2024 · Engine · MO

I purchased the vehicle November 7, 2024 with 137,251 miles. The car shakes and jerks violently while in idle, mostly at stop signs and red lights. The car will lag or stall while accelerating on the highway. It gets so extreme that the vehicle has almost failed and cut off while in motion. That raised red flags and safety concerns for me as the driver, my children as passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers as well. I looked up common issues and discovered that this particular problem is common in this car and i immediately called GM. I was told by GM, the manufacturer, that they did offer a, “Special Coverage Adjustment” back in 2020 for “N192291100 Excessive Engine Oil Consumption – US Only.” Some 2013 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LEA) may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: "Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine". Dealers are to perform an oil consumption test and install new pistons and piston rings if excessive consumption is found. In addition, dealers are to repair or replace any engine components that require repair or replacement if the need for such repair or replacement was solely caused by excessive oil consumption due to piston ring wear. The repairs will be made at no charge to the Customer. This warranty expired in 2020. The car lags while accelerating. The car has suddenly stopped twice while driving. The car shakes and jerks violently especially while in idle. The car has been serviced for two oil changes since date of purchase and has been diagnosed of engine burning oil. GM will not consider offering any assistance.

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Engine · NY

This car burns through oil faster than anything despite regular oil changes and fills in between. Never sends a sensor for low oil and now it is believed to have blown a head gasket likely due to this oil issue. There was an extended fix for pistons issued but the date to qualify was before I purchased this car so I was not eligible-I just saw this recently. This is a danger causing the engine to fail while driving without any warning of any issue leading up to it. I have read hundreds if not thousands of complaints of this exact issue online and on Facebook. The company still has yet to this date to recall this vehicle. I also see there has been a class action settlement which I also was never invited to participate in and I believe this issue needs to be investigated further for faulty parts. My vehicles stalled out several times while driving!! Please please look into the complaints on this specific make,model and year and hold this company accountable for the money people have lost trying to maintain and fix this car while they fail to acknowledge it!

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop at a stop light, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. The contact was able to place the vehicle in neutral and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were flashing after the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain had fractured and went into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Engine · 115,000 miles · TX

The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she observed a loud ticking noise from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that he should contact the federal safety agency to add the vehicle to a recall list. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Engine · 137,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started to shake violently before stalling. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the oil dipstick, the contact discovered that the engine was extremely low on oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Transmission · OH

Issue started appx 2015-2017, loss of oil in between oil changes but would only happen every 6-9 months, took it to Chevy dealership for inspection because there was no oil anywhere. They did 2 free oil changes 3 months apart and said nothing wrong with vehicle, even when I explained it wasn't long enough. But miracously it stopped for about 3-4 years and started slowly again, had mechanic look at it and he didn't see oil anywhere but found that the Equinox has had piston ring issues about the same time I took to dealership. Now in 2023, I cannot drive my car any further than 30 miles without it starting to jerk all over because it is out of oil. I literally stalled on the highway a few times putting myself and my family in danger, I called the dealership and service dept. told me nothing they can do unless I pay for it because they checked it back in 2015-2017 so claim is closed. in the meantime, my family's safety is at risk, I take extreme care of my vehicle so I check my oil daily and if it starts to jerk, I know it's lost the oil again. I carry oil in my car for this reason, but there was a recall and now it won't be honored because it took so long to fully arise.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · SD

Initially, 6 months or so after owning the vehicle, the PCV reported tech bulletin occurred for me, and my rear main seal blew, causing $2000+ in repairs. Then, the Engine stalled out on the coldest day of the year, got an engine replacement under warranty from my dealership, that replacement engine had 66k miles (rebuilt) and was only driven around 5,000 miles when the same issue happened. “Reduced engine power” “Service stabilitrak” this time it was in 98° heat leaving me and my dog stranded on the highway. I’ve had it diagnosed with a shop, and they have stated for the second time my vehicle has had timing issues, jumped time, I believe this is related to the timing issues and oil consumption issues that GM has already reported to be an issue with some of these models. I am now down the $3000 I’ve put into fixing this car and it’s various t leach bulletin reported issues, as well as out of a car now, due to warranty being expired, and still needing to make payments on this unsafe vehicle. Only have the engine replacement receipt on hand, but can gather new diagnostic as well as PCV valve repair receipt upon request.