About this problem
Every engine burns a little oil, but some designs burn a quart every 1,000 miles or less. The usual cause is piston rings that stick or wear, letting oil slip into the combustion chamber. If the owner does not top up between changes, the oil level drops low enough to damage the engine. Carmakers have issued bulletins and, in some cases, extended warranties for this.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Chevrolet Equinox since 2012, 630 (12.7%) describe excessive oil consumption, the second most reported problem we track on the Equinox. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2015 model years, and the 2013 drew the most, with 180. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 76,000 and 116,000 miles. 6 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Chevrolet has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of the 2010 to 2017 Equinox with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder report the engine burning oil, low-oil warnings between changes and in the worst cases engines that failed. The problem is linked to the piston rings, and the 2012 and 2013 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
GM issued a special coverage program that replaced pistons and rings on some engines. If the engine has already been damaged, it may need replacing.
Typical cost: Piston ring replacement costs $2,500 to $4,000; an engine replacement $5,000 or more.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Excessive oil consumption recall for new pistons and rings received one month after purchase. Day after picking up my vehicle, my check engine light turned on."
2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 115,000 miles
"I am following up to an ongoing issue regarding our 2013 Chevy Equinox that recently had the lower end rebuilt due to excessive oil consumption. For some brief history on the vehicle, it began using a significant amount of oil around the 70,000-mile mark."
2013 Chevrolet Equinox, 92,000 miles
"With only one day notice my alert system noted on my dashboard to reduce power. And taking my vehicle to a repair shop, I was told that my engine was ruined because of excessive oil consumption, which is a well-known problem for the Chevy Equinox."
2015 Chevrolet Equinox, 111,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Chevrolet has sent dealers 43 bulletins that mention this problem on the Equinox. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
14882 - special coverage.
Special Coverage (Revised Warranty).
Special Coverage.
Special Coverage Adjustment.
Special Coverage (Revised correction statement, service procedure and customer reimbursement).
16118 - Special Coverage.
Before you buy a Equinox
- Check the oil level; ask how often the owner had to add oil.
- Ask whether pistons and rings were replaced under the GM program.
- Look for blue smoke on start-up.
Questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have excessive oil consumption?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2015 model years. The 2013 drew the most, with 180 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 96,000 miles, and half reported it between 76,000 and 116,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Piston ring replacement costs $2,500 to $4,000; an engine replacement $5,000 or more.