The biggest Equinox problem is oil consumption in 2010-2013 models with the 2.4L four-cylinder. Some burn a quart in under 2,000 miles. Later models are better, but check by VIN for the 2013-2015 wiper module recall, the 2019-2020 AWD fuel tank recall and the 2021-2022 fuel pump stall recall. A 2018 and later Equinox with every recall done is a sensible used buy.
The Equinox is Chevrolet's compact SUV and one of the most common rental, lease and first-family-car crossovers in Palm Beach County. You will find plenty of them on used lots in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, often at prices below a similar Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
RepairPal rates the Equinox 3.5 out of 5, 23rd of 26 compact SUVs. Average repair spending is about $537 a year, close to the $521 compact SUV average, with about 0.3 unscheduled visits a year. The weak point in the numbers is severity: 18 percent of Equinox repairs are classed as severe, compared with 11 percent for the class. Much of that comes from engine problems on the older 2.4L cars.
So when you shop for an Equinox, the generation matters a lot. A 2010-2013 car with the 2.4L can be cheap to buy and expensive to keep. A 2018 or later car has a different, smaller turbo engine and a different set of recall items to check.
Chevrolet Equinox generations
Fourth generation
2025-presentNew platform and electrical architecture, with drive modes added across the range for 2026. The Equinox EV is a separate model with different hardware.
Third generation
2018-2024Refreshed for 2022, when only the 1.5L remained. The LSD engine added a higher-pressure fuel system for 2023.
Second generation
2010-2017Most were sold with the 2.4L, which is the engine behind the oil consumption bulletins. Refreshed for 2016.
Known Chevrolet Equinox problems by year
Excessive oil consumption on the 2.4L four-cylinder
Piston ring wear can let the engine burn oil fast enough to empty the sump between changes. GM's bulletin 13-06-01-003H calls for an oil consumption test and, if needed, a new piston and ring kit. Technicians are told to do the PCV orifice procedure first. A separate special coverage for 2010 models (bulletin 14159) ran for 10 years or 120,000 miles from the in-service date, so it has expired for nearly every car. Low oil warnings and a dipstick that reads dry are the symptoms.
Guide: Blue smoke from the exhaust: is my car burning oil?Windshield wiper module ball joints corroding
The ball joints in the wiper linkage can corrode and wear until one or both wipers stop working, often in heavy rain. GM recalled 2013 models (16V-582) and later 2014-2015 models (22V-165) to inspect and repair or replace the module. If your wipers slow down, chatter or stop at one point in the sweep, check the recall status first.
Guide: How often should you replace wiper blades in Florida?Start/stop accumulator endcap bolts missing
On models with engine start/stop, the transmission accumulator endcap may be missing bolts. That can cause a transmission fluid leak and eventually a loss of drive. Recall 20V-668 inspects the accumulator and replaces it if bolts are missing. A red fluid drip near the front of the transmission should be checked.
Guide: Is my car leaking transmission fluid?Fuel pump module causing stalls
The fuel pump module may not supply enough fuel, so the engine can stall, sometimes while driving. Recall 23V-013 replaces the module. A long crank before starting, hesitation, or a stall at low fuel levels on one of these years is the pattern to report.
Guide: Car won't start and makes no sound at all: where to look firstFuel tank seam leak on AWD models
Some all-wheel-drive fuel tanks were made with a seam that was not sealed properly near the filler inlet, which can leak fuel and create a fire risk. Recall 19V-667 replaces the tank. A gas smell after filling up, especially on a hot afternoon, is the clue.
Right front intermediate driveshaft fracture
The right front intermediate shaft can crack and separate, cutting drive to the wheels. GM also warned of a rollaway risk if it separates while the car is parked on a slope. Recall 17V-516, which began in August 2017, replaces the shaft. A clunk on takeoff from the front right is the symptom.
Notable recalls
- 23V-013 (2021-2022): The fuel pump module may not consistently supply enough fuel, which can stall the engine. Dealers replace the module.
- 19V-667 (2019-2020 (AWD)): An improperly sealed fuel tank seam can leak near the fuel inlet. Dealers replace the fuel tank.
- 20V-668 (2018-2020): The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts, which can cause a transmission oil leak and loss of propulsion.
- 22V-165 (2014-2015): Corroded wiper module ball joints can cause one or both wipers to fail. Dealers inspect and repair or replace the module. 16V-582 covered 2013 models.
- 17V-516 (2018): The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving. Dealers replace the assembly.
- 23V-869 (2024): Door strikers can fracture and let a door open unexpectedly. Dealers replace all four strikers and their bolts.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since this list is not complete.
Maintenance that matters
| Every fuel fill-up on a 2010-2017 2.4L | Check the oil level with the car on level ground, after it has been off for a few minutes. These engines can go a quart low quickly, and the dipstick reads dry at about 1.25 quarts low. |
| Oil Life Monitor, no later than 7,500 miles | dexos-approved synthetic oil and filter. GM capped the 2.4L oil life monitor at 7,500 miles for a reason, and in Florida heat a shorter interval is safer. |
| Every 7,500 miles | Tire rotation and brake inspection. Look at the rear brakes on 2020 models, which had a caliper drag recall (19V-704). |
| Every 45,000 miles | Engine air filter, and transmission fluid if you drive mostly short trips in traffic. |
| Every 97,500 miles | Spark plugs. On the 1.5L turbo, worn plugs show up as a stumble when accelerating onto I-95. |
| Every 150,000 miles or 5 years | Dex-Cool coolant change. Check the coolant level every few months between services, especially on turbo engines. |
Confirm against your owner's manual or maintenance minder for your exact year and engine.
Typical Chevrolet Equinox repair costs
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic oil change | $65-$110 | |
| Oil consumption test, 2.4L | $100-$200 | Needs a measured stretch of driving between two shop visits. |
| Piston and ring replacement, 2.4L, out of coverage | $2,500-$4,000 | A used engine is often the cheaper route on a high-mileage car. |
| Timing chain kit, 2.4L | $1,200-$2,000 | |
| Windshield wiper module, out of recall | $250-$450 | |
| Front pads and rotors | $300-$500 | |
| Fuel pump module, out of recall | $700-$1,200 | |
| A/C compressor replacement | $1,000-$1,700 |
Typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only. Your quote depends on the vehicle and the shop.
Buying a used Chevrolet Equinox
- Avoid 2010-2013 Equinox models with the 2.4L unless the seller can prove the piston and ring work was done, or you are willing to check the oil every week. If a 2.4L car has low mileage and a clean oil test, it can still be a fair deal at the right price.
- The 3.6L V6 in 2013-2017 models avoids the 2.4L oil consumption problem. It costs more in fuel, but it is the better older Equinox if you can find a clean one.
- 2018 and later cars are the better buys, especially 2022 and later with the refresh. Run the VIN for 23V-013 and 20V-668 before you buy a 2018-2022 car, and for 19V-667 on an AWD 2019-2020.
- Some used Equinoxes are former rental cars. A vehicle history report will show that, and for those cars, service records and a pre-purchase inspection tell you more than the odometer.
The Florida factor
Afternoon thunderstorms come with little warning from June through September, so a failing wiper module on a 2013-2015 Equinox is a real safety problem here. If the wipers hesitate or park in the wrong place, have the recall checked before the next storm.
A 2.4L Equinox burns oil faster when it runs hot, and summer traffic on Federal Highway keeps it hot. Owners who check the dipstick in March may find it much lower in August. A quart of oil in the cargo area is cheap insurance.
Gasoline vaporizes more readily in summer heat, so the 2019-2020 AWD fuel tank seam leak is easier to smell in a Boca parking lot in July than in a cooler state. Do not ignore a gas odor around the car after filling up.
Repair shops near Boca Raton
- Boca Auto Fix4301 Oak Circle, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
- Element, Pickup trucks and trailer repair3120D Northwest 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064
- Europen Auto Service CentreParkland, FL
- Ferrari of Boca Raton6403 W Rogers Cir, Boca Raton, FL, 33487
- FirestonePompano Beach, FL
- Firestone1259 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Chevrolet Equinox FAQ
How much oil does a 2.4L Equinox burn?
GM treats more than a quart every 2,000 miles as excessive on these engines. Some cars burn far more. Do an oil consumption test at a shop to get a documented number.
Is GM still paying to fix 2.4L oil consumption?
The 2010 special coverage ran 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, so it has expired for almost all cars. A Chevrolet dealer can still check your VIN for any open campaign.
Is the 1.5L turbo Equinox reliable?
It does not have the 2.4L's ring problem, and its main issues on this page are recalls with free fixes. Use the correct dexos oil and keep the coolant topped up, as with any small turbo engine.
What does the Engine Oil Low - Add Oil message mean on an older Equinox?
On a 2010-2013 2.4L, it often means the engine is burning oil, not leaking it. GM's bulletins list that message and Oil Pressure Low - Stop Engine as symptoms. Add oil to the full mark, then have a shop run an oil consumption test.
Guides for Chevrolet Equinox owners
More for Chevrolet owners: Chevrolet owner's guide
- Wikipedia: Chevrolet Equinox, generations and engines
- GM bulletin 13-06-01-003H: 2010-2013 Equinox 2.4L excessive oil consumption
- GM special coverage 14159D: 2010 Equinox 2.4L oil consumption
- RepairPal: Chevrolet Equinox reliability and repair cost
General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.