2016 Chevrolet Equinox: engine failure

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · MI

I am filing this complaint regarding a safety-related engine problem with my 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. My vehicle is currently experiencing excessive crankcase pressure associated with the PCV system. The vehicle requires PCV service, and I have been advised that the excessive crankcase pressure has contributed to multiple engine oil leaks, including a timing cover leak and front main seal leak. I am concerned that the underlying PCV/crankcase-pressure problem is causing or contributing to these failures rather than these being isolated gasket or seal failures. Excessive crankcase pressure can force engine oil past seals and gaskets, resulting in significant oil loss. This creates a safety concern because an engine oil leak can worsen suddenly and result in substantial loss of engine oil, potentially causing engine damage or engine failure while the vehicle is being driven. Oil contamination of the serpentine belt is also concerning because it can affect the belt's ability to operate properly and may result in belt failure and loss of engine-driven components. I believe the PCV/crankcase ventilation issue should be investigated as a potential underlying defect in the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether there is a recurring safety defect involving the PCV system, excessive crankcase pressure, resulting oil-seal/gasket failures, and associated oil contamination in these vehicles. I am also concerned that owners may be required to pay for multiple repairs to correct the consequences of an underlying PCV/crankcase pressure problem. The vehicle is currently in need of repair for the PCV system, excessive crankcase pressure, front main seal, timing cover gasket, and oil-contaminated serpentine belt. The timing chain may also require replacement depending on the inspection and extent of damage. Documents are included.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Engine · IA

Timing chain guide broke and caused catastropic engine failure while driving 70 miles an hour on the highway causing steering, brakes etc to lock up putting me and my family at risk of accident and great bodily harm. Vehicle is available for inspection. No prior knowledge of mechanic problems due to only having purchased the vehicle from Mac's Chevrolet 4 months prior. Have since learned of the oil consumption issue associated with this year equinox which likely contributed to the timing chain failure. Vehicle has been inspected by two independent mechanics. This vehicle completely locking up on the highway at this speed could have killed us all if near another vehicle or semi.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Engine · FL

Engine failure. There is a class action that has been filed for this exact make, model, and engine size. There were no lights indicating an issue and the car had recently been serviced with an oil change and oil filter change and was being regularly maintained on oil changes. When it was brought to a mechanic, they told me the entire engine had failed and there was no power to one of the spark plugs anymore. I reached out to GM regarding this and they acknowledged the failure

Filed May 4, 2025 · Engine · MO

I was driving my vehicle on the highway when all of a sudden I started to lose speed and my car wouldn’t accelerate. When my vehicle wouldn’t accelerate it started to shake significantly and the check engine, abs, traction control, and service stabilitrak light came on all at once. I was able to pull over and get my car towed to the dealership. Once it was at the dealership it was diagnosed that my car had jumped time causing a misfire in cylinder 4. My dealership stated this was due to low oil and my piston had become warped due to making contact with my valve. My car had no check oil warnings or any indication that vehicle was low on oil prior to this happening. My vehicle drove perfectly fine until that point. My vehicle also had no oil leaks (confirmed by myself not seeing any leaks under my vehicle as well as the dealership when they did the diagnostics). Before I bought my vehicle I did research and knew this model vehicle had oil consumption issues, so I made sure to routinely check my oil levels. Even with getting oil changes approximately every 3,000 miles and checking my oil levels and topping off my oil whenever it got less then 5 quarts I still had to get a total engine replacement. This was a huge safely issue since there was no warning that my oil was low and my car lost speed on the highway and was trying to stall out before I had a chance to pull off to safe place.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving on a rural road at 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact entered a nearby parking lot, where the vehicle was parked and inspected. The contact stated that there was an abnormal amount of oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle had experienced engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2025 · Engine · IL

On January 21st,2025 (a day where temps did not exceed zero degrees driving this vehicle 3/4 of mile home from work, as pulling down my street, engine began to run rough. No warning lights came on. i pulled in my drive and garage and turned off, there was an oil trail up my drive. After about an hour i looked under car and a HUGE puddle of oil was there. I then had it towed to Chevy dealer. They said it was the 3rd car with this same engine brought in that week, and same issue, a blown rear seal, and in my case damaged the engine quickly. we were told by other dealers that fire could have happened. After doing research, models 2004-2015 have the same exact engine and same exact Defect. the PVC intake valve can develop condinsation (the design does not allow this to escape) and on extreme cold days this can freeze, causing the pressure to build quickly and without warning blow the seal and damage the engine. In 2015 GM put out a service bulliten to dealers warning of this issue and fixed at no charge and also extended the warranty to 10 year 125000 miles (we are currently 8 years , 90K) GM did not change the Defect in this engine until the 2018 model years, GM did not contact any owners of 2016-2027 with the same exact engine and defect to fix or make aware it existed. There are hundred if not thousands of these engines with this defect on the road. It is all over GM related forums, the dealership service departments are aware of the issue as well. GM is refusing to fix my vehicle which now needs a new engine at cost close to $10K, For last month I have had to rent a vehicle for $300 per week at my cost while I fight with GM They have offered me a $1500 coupon to buy a new car, and now today offered $2000 towards the fix this is not acceptable to me. They are aware of the issue and have fully paid for and fixed the SAME EXACT issue all except 2016-2017 we think there should be an urgency to this matter

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

no lights came on my car just became sluggish and I continued to drive up the road trying to get to safe spot to stop and it completely shut off on me I had to push out of road thankfully no one was behind me. I had towed to mechanic and he said my timing belt skipped and it had no oil has bent valves and piston damage and that I need a new engine

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

What started as my car guzzling just a little too much oil too quickly, turned into my engine sitting at 1200RPM while parked, and then yesterday all the oil had leaked out, oil pressure was very low and the car wouldn’t run, and I’m being told by my mechanic that I need a whole new engine.

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Engine · NY

Vehicle has an oil consumption issues which lead to a blown engines. Have been up to date on oil changes, just had an oil change 1 month ago and today the engine blew

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Engine · TX

It appears the 2.4L engine is burning oil at a high rate, leading to engine stutters, stalling, and outright engine failure. Our mechanic says if we didn't catch this in time, an engine without the proper amount of oil as a lubricant could stall, seize, and/or cause enough damage to warrant an entire engine replacement. If the engine quit on the freeway around Houston, TX, my wife would have been at great bodily risk. The mechanic suggested that there may be an extended warranty issued to GM Dealers to cover the 2016 Equinox 2.4L engine until 2026. The warning lamp was on for tire sensors, but no indication was given for the oil issue.

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Engine · GA

The 2.4L engine is burning oil at alarming rates, leading to consumers complaining about stutters, stalling, and outright engine failure. If not caught in time, an engine without the proper amount of oil as a lubricant can stall, seize, and/or cause enough damage to warrant an entire engine replacement. The engine is now blown. Chevy has known about this problem stemming since 2012 and has not addressed this with the American consumers.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Engine · IA

Engine consumed all oil and seized up, complete engine failure. We had just had a full synthetic oil change (and regularly did so according to manufacturer recommendations) 2,000 miles prior. This failure was not due to negligence. It appears to be a part of the same oil consumption issues with the 2.4L ecotech engine.