2016 Chevrolet Equinox: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 21, 2024 · Engine · OH

Maintained vehicle with regular oil changes, tire rotations and inspections. Last oil change was June of 2024. Minimal driving throughout summer as both drivers are teachers and home most of the summer. Vehicle engine light illuminated on 9/12/24 with no prior issues or lights illuminating. Vehicle then went into what felt like "limp mode." Vehicle was taken to certified Chevy dealership service center. Initial diagnosis indicated there was little to no oil left in the engine. No visible leaks were seen on driveway where it has been parked, no smell of burning oil occurred prior to engine light illuminating. Oil life monitor stated 65.89% remaining. Visible leak diagnosis passed inspection. Diagnosis of misfire/engine related concerns. While on phone with mechanic it was stated that pistons and rings were malfunctioning. Upon researching issues, I discovered that there is a well known issues within GM of this exact problem existing in which around roughly 90,000 miles (my vehicle is currently at 91,000+) this specific engine starts consuming oil at a massive rate without indicating any leaks or smells of burning oil. Service center quoted between $6500-$10000 to repair. After I provided feedback about what I had discovered, I was told by mechanic that this is a well known problem with this vehicle. Extended warranties for this issue has been issued however, I am being asked to cover the cost to repair a known problem within the 2011-2017 GM engines in the Equinox and Terrain models.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Engine · TN

Problem first appeared with the limp mode being initiated by the vehicles computer system. This occurred at 96,000 miles in July of 2021. After running numerous diagnostics with a OBD scanner, and removing VVT solenoids, came to the conclusion it was the problem. After replacing with new OEM Solenoids and restarting the computer from the battery. The problem seemed to be resolved. In March of 2021the vehicle started losing oil by the quart each week. January 2022 the computer link initiated the limp mode again at 100,000 miles. After trying to diagnose using OBD, the conclusion was not apparent. Followed up by taking the air box off and found oil in the vacuum line for the air box. Continue the investigation by removing the PCV valve and the VVT solenoids. Found large amounts of oil(more than Chevy engineers allowed). Then proceeded to reassemble and run compression tests. Found "blow by" to be so bad that the oil was blowing out of the valve cover and past the seal. Disassembled the intake manifold and found puddles of oil in the base of the intake manifold. The MAF system had large amounts of carbon build up. Cleaned intake components meticulously. Reassembled and problem went away only to reemerge with massive oil loss September of 2022. Took to the dealer and they kept vehicle an entire week to report they found no oil loss. We then decided to rebuild engine; seals, pistons, rings, bolts etc.. After removing engine (January 2023 113,000miles) completely and breaking it down to crankshaft, I came to the conclusion the Intake manifolds direct injection system has a major flaw (mainly due to a pinhole becoming clogged found in the middle of the intake valve system). Causing massive pressure issues that can lead to full engine failure. So much carbon build up on pistons with major ignition problems visible by piston damage. In February of 2024 (131,000miles). Problem has started to reoccur with much blow by continuing near valve seal. I have pics

Filed Jan 6, 2023 · Engine · OK

First noticed my car had a slight rattle when accelerating. I was driving about 35 and then the engine cut out on me. I got it restarted but when I did, check engine light came on, my stabilitrack light came on, and my car went in what the shop called “limp mode.” Towed the car to the shop where they reported the engine was short 3.5 quarts of oil (last oil change was approximately 3500 miles prior to issue). Codes the vehicle was throwing were camshaft exhaust performance and fuel pressure regulator performance. Aforementioned rattling noise was the timing chain kit. Shop noted high oil consumption with no oil leaks at the time of inspection. Shop recommended replacing camshaft actuators and solenoids, as well as timing chain kit. Shop noted it wasn’t an entirely uncommon issue that they’ve seen with these vehicles.

Filed Jan 5, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · OH

My vehicle went into "limp mode" in a dangerous intersection due to the garbage design of the PCV. The "valve" is simply a hole that gets clogged by cold climates, and it allows the oil pressure to build up in the crankcase and then without warning, oh boy, my engine had a catastrophic failure and needs to be replaced. Blown rear main seal. There are multiple lawsuits against GM for this. They can't continue to get away with knowing about this flaw and not fix it. I only put 37,000 miles on this car (108K total). Changed the oil myself religiously. I came in, and they told me there was no oil on the dipstick despite the fact that I had just changed the oil 2 days prior.

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 ..