2015 Chevrolet Equinox: check engine light

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Engine · IL

My daughter, the driver of this vehicle, noticed a noise. The check engine light came on. Over a short period, the noise from the engine progressively worsened. We brought the car to a certified mechanic. The mechanic's initial determination was that the engine would need to be replaced. It was determined that the engine was faulty, failing due to oil leakage that led to excessive oil consumption. As we were not ready to make that kind of financial commitment, we asked him if there was another option. We were instructed to check the oil frequently. We did so over the next couple of months, but the problem continued and worsened. As my daughter was driving, the engine would make a noise and lose power. Eventually, the vehicle started shaking and would shut down when stopped at red lights and stop signs, requiring the engine to be restarted each time. We then brought it back to the mechanic, and the engine was replaced with a new one.

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Fuel system · 197,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle jerked and idled roughly and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was provided with DTC P0172. The vehicle was not repaired. Several days later, the vehicle was taken for an oil change, and transmission fluid was flushed and refilled. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, a week after the oil change, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was provided with the same DTC: P0172. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The contact could not leave the vehicle at the dealer. The contact spoke with one of the mechanics at the dealer, who suggested that the high-pressure fuel pump may be the cause of the failure. Several days later, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that fuel had leaked into the engine through the PCP valve and caused the fuel to run rich. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Engine · 169,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

Filed May 5, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MS

I just purchased the vehicle she hadn't even driven it 2 months when it started to shut off on it's on. Causing very dangerous situations. Then the oil consumption problem that's been well known and heavily documented time after time. Without warning lights or low oil pressure light or even a check engine light to give any type of warning the front seal blew out causing heavy oil loose that caused the engine bay and over the bottom of the vehicle drenching areas that have really high temperatures that could have caused the oil to possibly ignite at any time from the high heated areas that was covered in oil. Also with front seal blown out without warning led to timming chain becoming faulty and then breaking leading to my valves impacting with pistons because this is a interference engine. The impact caused every valve to bend which led to no compression and without compression no engine will start without compression. All this consumption issue is due to piston rings that are under sized which allows blow by leading to consumption. After all that the price of everything to be fixed at home by myself cost almost $1000 and many man hours not including all the time I have a vehicle that's new to me that I haven't been able to drive but just a few months after purchasing. Checker knows these problems exists and how dangerous these problems can be. You would think a car manufacturer as big as Chevrolet and GMC would do something to help there customers rather than not even showing any kind of care really in the world. I thought these companies stand by there products.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Engine · GA

I took my vehicle to a Chevy dealership due to engine light coming on with the stability track light showing as well as "reduced engine power notification. They are saying the timing chain is needing replaced therefore requiring the entire engine to be replaced. Vehicle is available upon inspection. Once the engine light came on and the reduced engine power light came on vehicle started stalling in traffic. I was at a traffic light and the vehicle cut itself off once I came to a slow stop. Vehicle had to be turned off and back on. Vehicle also started losing power while driving when trying to pull over to incident. Yes. I took my vehicle to a dealership. Initially, they changed other parts on the vehicle. However, when they tested vehicle, it was still showing same signs. That is when they came up with needing a whole new engine based on the timing chain. Dealership will not replace timing chain and states the entire engine needs replaced. Vehicle has only been inspected by a Chevy Dealer. Yes, Once the engine light came on, the stability track and reduced engine power mode came on. they first appeared about a week before i took the car in. I made an appt as soon as the lights came on. The dealership was not available for immediate assistance.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · IN

Ending result timing chain : Beginning of result: 1. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power steering while driving at highway speeds. The loss of power steering significantly compromised the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle safely, especially during emergency situations, putting both the driver and other road users at risk of an accident. 2. Traveling at high way speeds my car suddenly lost complete power to go. Keep going up and down in speed in middle of interstate 3. No warning signs prior no check engine line appeared until after the safety risk above.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Engine · IL

Oil issues. The oil light does not come on when there is low oil and the rear main seal busted and the car started to shake and then it turned off. No oil light or check engine light came on. The car did start back up and I was able to move it to safely. There has been several known issues with this model and engine. There is a current service bulletin 14882. However my 2015 equinox is not included in the service bulletin even though it is a known issue with models from 2010 to 2015. Thank You!

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Engine · AK

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly vibrated before losing motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that prior to the failure, there was an increased frequency of oil changes. The contact stated the oil was being changed once per month. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · IA

We have had nothing but issues with our Chevrolet equinox. The recall that says it is not fixed is actually fixed!! There was no fix when it malfunctioned in the middle of a rain storm and I had to drive an hour and a half very slowly to get home! So we had to have a fixed for it so we took it to motor Inn in Carroll, Iowa, and they put a new windshield wiper on! How did they expect us to go without windshield wipers when they didn’t have a fix at the time? And now we are having issues with our transmission. Our car starts to jerk and lurch forward when we’re driving. It is constantly having the check engine light come on because the engine is burning oil! And sometimes when you shut the vehicle off, it’ll try starting itself again! If you look at all the used car lots around us. It’s nothing but Chevy equinox and I’m betting it’s because people are having so many problems they’re getting rid of them.! I have a dad with [XXX] and a son that [XXX] and now I’m stuck with a piece of junk! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Engine · 133,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. Additionally, when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2024 · Engine · NY

On the morning of 7/1/24, I drove my vehicle to work as usual. There were no exceptional incidences and the only warning light on the dashboard was that of a malfunctioning tire sensor. I parked at my job as usual. There were no signs of overheating or smoking and there were no warning lights on the panel except for what was previously mentioned. That evening, as I was leaving, the car started and stopped after driving about 2 yards. It would not start again afterward and I wound up having it towed to my mechanic. He told me that I had no oil and that the engine was irreparably damaged and would need to be replaced. Again, there were no warning lights on the dashboard alerting me of low oil or engine overheating prior to this incident. As a matter of fact, the check engine light did not turn on either. Of course this would happen just as I finished paying off the car. So now I am forced to spend $3k+ to replace the engine. It is a shame that so many people are having the same issue with this make/model and Chevy should make reparations to those that have been affected.

Filed Nov 15, 2023 · Engine · 80,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle briefly sputtered and nearly stalled before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the intake camshaft actuator was stuck in the open position or had short-circuited in bank one. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.