2016 Chevrolet Equinox: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Engine · MI

In February of 2025, while driving my 2016 Chevy Equinox home from work, I heard a loud pop and loss of engine power a block from home. The weather conditions at the time were below freezing and light snow. After getting my vehicle home, my neighbor, who works for GM looked under my Equinox and discovered the rear main oil seal had blown and informed me this was a known issue with the GM 2.4L Ecotec engine. The GM 2.4L Ecotec engine contains a non‑serviceable Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system that uses a fixed orifice built into the intake manifold instead of a replaceable PCV valve. In cold weather, moisture and vapor inside the crankcase can freeze or accumulate as sludge within this orifice. When the orifice becomes obstructed, the PCV system can no longer vent crankcase gases properly, causing internal pressure to rise significantly. This condition is most common in sub‑freezing temperatures and is documented in multiple GM technical bulletins. When crankcase pressure increases beyond normal operating limits, the pressure seeks the weakest escape point, which is often the rear main seal. As pressure builds, the rear main seal can rupture suddenly, resulting in an immediate and severe oil leak. This failure can occur without warning and may lead to rapid oil loss, environmental contamination, and potential engine damage if the vehicle continues to operate. The defect is inherent to the PCV system design and is not related to owner maintenance practices. General Motors has been aware of PCV system obstruction issues in the 2.4L Ecotec engine since at least 2013, when internal service bulletins first documented rear main seal failures caused by crankcase over‑pressurization in cold weather. GM issued additional bulletins in 2014, 2016, and 2019, each reiterating the same failure mechanism. In 2014, GM created Special Coverage Adjustment 14882 but many vehicles equipped with the same engine and PCV design were not added, including mine.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine · MO

Excessive oil consumption with no warning light, loss of power, and stalling. Also caused the master seal to leak and plugged the PCV valve. I have records for the repairs. It continues to excessively use oil and is not a reliable vehicle. When it stalls, power steering is lost as well as the stabilitrack.

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL · fire

Coming home from a trip without any warning our 2016 equinox scared me when it made a terrible sound lost power and stopped working. We’re 100’s miles away from home on the side of a road in the dark. We called for towing to a dealer payed for a hotel waited till the next day for it to be looked at. Told the engine was blown that the timing belt and everything in there was bent and in pieces 10,000-12,000 dollars to replace. Mind you this car is a ltz and very well talking care of. Without fixing it it’s worth 1000.00. Shame on gmc we should have been notified about issues. This happens at 80,000miles No warranty. I actually thought it caught on fire. Gm step up and take care of your life long customer that have owned Chevy always.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Steering · 94,688 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The failure persisted and became a complete failure. The contact stated that the “Service Power Steering” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Firestone Certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for assistance. The certified mechanic had diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,688.

Filed Jun 16, 2024 · Engine · OH

On December 26, 2022, while driving home from work during a snowstorm, my 2016 Chevy Equinox suddenly lost power and began making unusual noises. Shortly after, a warning light indicated low oil pressure, and the engine shut off before I could safely pull over. Since then, the vehicle has been sitting in my driveway. Recently, I had it checked by a dealership, where the mechanics diagnosed a blown rear main seal and significant oil leakage. The dealership confirmed that the rear main seal failure was caused by a faulty PCV valve, a known issue in these models, which resulted in excessive pressure buildup and engine damage. Given the severity of the issue, the dealership mentioned that an engine replacement might be necessary. If it’s just the rear main seal that needs replacing, the estimated cost is $2,700. The vehicle was purchased used with 55,000 miles on it and had only one previous owner.

Filed Feb 1, 2024 · Engine · MI

[XXX] I drove to work 9.8 miles. It was very cold that week, Zero temps. During my drive I experience intermittent power surges/loss, horrible exhaust filled the vehicle to the point I had to open windows. NO ENGINE LIGHTS ever came on. I called repair shop and scheduled to bring it in after work. They notified me that the main rear engine seal had blown and caused the oil to leak all out and ruined my engine. The cost to repair/replace engine is going to be $6k. This was a very dangerous situation. I often drive with my daughters and grandchildren in my vehicle. We could have been in a serious accident if I had lost power on the freeway. Or, could have been stranded on the side of the road in zero temps. Upon researching this issue, there is an ongoing lawsuit, , et al.,[XXX] v. General Motors LLC.Case [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Engine · MI

Was driving on the highway and the car lost power and shut down and wouldn’t start again. It was towed to a mechanic where I was told the timing jumped and I needed a new engine. I bought the car used in 2018 and not even 2 months after the car was burning oil the car started shaking and eventually stalled. At that point it was still cover under warranty

Filed Dec 5, 2023 · Engine · NY

With no warning my 2016 equinox’s engine began to fail functioning, reduced engine power warning displayed, then the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Professional mechanical review has indicated excessive oil consumption and timing chain issues regardless of a regular documented maintenance and oil changes

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Engine · IN

Engine problems . Oil problems. Metal shavings in the oil and took to a mechanic and they said it needs a new engine. Also the heater isn’t working. Check engine light would go on and off. Had the oil changed beforehand. Says reduced engine power. Took daughter to work stopped at gas station and shut it off came back out and wouldn’t start had to have it towed home.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine · NJ

70,000 miles on vehicle. The engine has consistently burned excessive oil averaging 1 quart per 1,000 miles. The oil low warning light does not detect the low oil. The excessive consumption is potentially damaging to the car resulting in "bucking" at low speed, fouling of spark plugs and loss of power and efficiency.

Filed Jan 15, 2023 · Transmission · NV

Engine lost power while exiting highway. Engine noise and loss of oil and oil pressure. Glided car into repair shop off the highway exit. Repair facility was aware of the GM 2.4 liter frozen PCV valve issue. Car was taken to a Chevrolet dealership where a fix with no guarantee that the engine was good was over $3000.00 to repair. Suggested new engine at approx. $9000.00 was quoted. This is a safety issue as the problem occurs in very cold weather and when the engine stops, it can very well leave the occupants stranded in freezing weather.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Purchased vehicle certified pre owned May 2019 with 56,000 miles. In June 2019 replaced front tire that were new due to passenger tire wear also New battery and oil change..Jan 2020 had to have front main seal oil ring replaced. Oil changes done every 3 to 7 thousand miles. Have a 2 sets of tires put on .Have had some hesitation problems throughout while.driving. But never did find cause. Took to chevy dealer on Nov 3rd for windshield wiper motor replacement. Picked up on Nov. 5th. Have had issues with starting since picked up had to carry jump start box in car. Car was parked until I could get a new battery approx 1 week. Put new battery in drove to work for about 2 days still.had issues. Traction stability light had came on never went off. Parked car for another week or so Drove 2 miles down road to store. While driving car was loosing power. Screen went out and engine reduced power light came on and died. Waited about 15 min jump.started .got about 10 feet car went into.Limp mode got it home . Would not start ..got a list of codes. Replaced starter, camshaft and crankshaft sensor, new pcm, valve cover. Amd another battery. Car has not ran since. Motor is blown. Car has been down since Dec. 15th 2021. I have lost my job. Due to not being dependent on getting to work. Have looked into repair cost about 7 to 8 thousand that I cam not afford and still Makin car payments. This is a Manufacture defect and could have been alot worse if I was going any faster or been out in the dark stranded somewhere. Hard to believe a regular maintain vehicle would just die the way it did. Someone or something needs to be done ..Not fair to have to pay over $15000 and still making payments on a lawn ornament. When Chevrolet has none about this issue and refuses to fix. Knowing the engines will blow a rod do to the oil issue ..