Exhaust manifold cracked. So many other complaints. Is there a service bulletin available for this issue?
2012 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems
moderate 254 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
254
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 254 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 37% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 254 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
My motor blew due to a oil leak and seized in the middle of traffic I owned the car for 37 days and I owe 18k on it.
Recalled motor was recalled due to engine oil consumption gm failed to replace bearings and hone cylinders that showed signs of burning dealer agreed to replace pistons rings and pistons nothing else .did not do any much to resolve motor problem should have repalced motor completly
Car stalls and jerks really hard under light acceleration, the check engine light comes on and stays on when it happens, had it checked and it shows bad camshaft sensor, but it has been replaced and still have the same issue, this is all after they fixed my engine from using too much oil. It starts fine and idles fine but stalls and jerks under acceleration, but it doesn't always do this, it…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shuddering and sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she had been adding a quart of oil in the vehicle every two weeks. The…
Problem began at the beginning of the month when my vehicle stalled on the highway during rush hour traffic..luckily I was not hit or killed. The issue is with the engine and high oil consumption. I took it to the dealer and they ran the test and I now have to take the car back 2 more times to prove the pcv has to be replaced. Meanwhile I have to keep 2 quarts of oil in the car and check every…
Vehicle stalled while driving on highway. Engine seized up while driving due to no oil. No dash indicators, lights, audible tones or other warnings were evident to indicate any problems with oil level, or oil pressure. Total engine failure resulted, leaving me stranded on the highway. General motors' "2.4l ecotec" motors are known to exhibit severe excessive oil consumption, due to faulty…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet equinox. The contact stated that the pcv valve was faulty and heat would not blow properly from the air vents. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dartmouth motors (320 john stark hwy, newport, nh 03773, (888) 223-2117, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The VIN was unknown.…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 254 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 180 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 70,000 and 114,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 114,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.