This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 147 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 89,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
147
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Equinox | 320 |
| 2014 Equinox | 173 |
| 2015 Equinox | 169 |
| 2016 Equinox | 161 |
| 2017 Equinox (this page) | 147 |
| 2018 Equinox | 38 |
| 2019 Equinox | 51 |
| 2020 Equinox | 38 |
| 2021 Equinox | 9 |
1crash
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 147 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 54% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 147 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Chevy Equinox with the 2.4L Ecotec engine has two interconnected failure patterns that strike without warning.
PCV freezing and seal failure: In cold weather (sub-zero and below), the PCV system ices up. This blockage pressurizes the crankcase, blowing out the rear main seal. The engine then dumps all its oil in minutes to hours. Owners describe sudden strong chemical smells, smoke from the engine, violent rattling or knocking noises, and total power loss while driving—often on highways or in traffic. Dashboard oil pressure lights either don't appear or show up after catastrophic damage is already happening. Dealership diagnostics confirm the issue and cite Technical Service Bulletin 14882, but the 2017 model is not covered by the existing recall (which covers 2010–2013). Seal replacement alone costs $1,400–$2,500; complete repairs including PCV enlargement, timing chain inspection, and possible engine replacement range $3,000–$10,000.
Excessive oil burn: The engine burns or leaks 1–5 quarts per 1,000–2,000 miles. Owners maintaining regular oil change intervals still find the dipstick reading zero between services. No oil consumption warning appears. When internal damage finally shows itself through noise or loss of power, the engine often requires full replacement.
Both failures create immediate safety hazards—sudden stalls at highway speed, loss of steering and brake power, and zero warning. Owners consistently report no advance indicators, no low-oil light, and no time to reach safety before the vehicle dies. GM has settled a class-action for 2010–2013 model years and acknowledges a pending lawsuit for 2014–2017, but the 2017 remains uncovered by recall, leaving owners to pay full repair costs out of pocket.
Same Chevrolet Equinox engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
PCV System Freezing and Rear Main Seal Failure
In cold weather conditions, the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system freezes or becomes clogged with moisture/condensation, causing crankcase pressure to build excessively. This elevated pressure forces the rear main seal to fail catastrophically, allowing all engine oil to leak out rapidly. Owners report sudden, total oil loss with no prior low-oil warning on the dashboard.
When: Cold weather conditions, sub-zero temperatures; can occur early in vehicle ownership (under 3 years) through higher mileages (147,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Strong petroleum/chemical smell from vents or engine; Visible oil leaking copiously from engine and undercarriage; Engine enters reduced power mode or limp mode; Engine stalls or dies while driving, often on highway or in traffic; Low oil pressure warning light (sometimes appears late or not at all); Check engine light illuminated; Abnormal rattling, knocking, or grinding noises from engine; Smoke or blue smoke from engine compartment
Codes mentioned: P0013, P0014, P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Rear main seal replacement ranges $1,400–$2,656 at dealerships; independent mechanics quote $2,400–$2,500 for seal alone. Additional repairs often required: PCV orifice drilling/enlargement (few hundred dollars additional), intake port cleaning, thermostat replacement, timing chain inspection. One owner reported new seal blew again after initial repair. Some owners cite need for additional engine reconfiguration ($800 quoted) with no guarantee of resolution. Total repair costs commonly $3,000–$6,500; engine replacement $8,000–$10,300.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has settled class-action lawsuit for 2010–2013 model years with extended warranty (10 years/120,000 miles). Class-action lawsuit pending for 2014–2017 model years. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 14882 exists for 2.4L Ecotec engines addressing PCV icing issue, but many 2017 owners report they are told their VIN is not covered by TSB or any recall. GM Technical Service Bulletin No. 14882 (March 2015). Special Coverage Adjustment #14882 mentioned by one owner. Dealers have confirmed this is a known, recurring issue; one shop owner reported seeing this 'all the time.' GM customer service reportedly refuses to assist owners, citing low-oil condition as owner responsibility or stating vehicle is out of warranty (commonly just 2,000 miles over 60k-mile powertrain warranty or 6-year period). Some owners received partial cost assistance after escalation ($400–$954 of $2,320 repair cost).
Excessive Oil Consumption Without Warning Indicator
Engine consumes or loses oil at abnormally high rates between scheduled oil changes—from 1 quart per 1,000–2,000 miles up to 5 quarts per 2,000 miles. Oil level can drop to near-zero within weeks or days despite owner performing frequent top-offs and maintaining regular service intervals. No warning light appears until severe damage occurs.
When: Can begin shortly after purchase or within first few years of ownership; typically detected between scheduled oil changes (commonly 2–3 months after oil service)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil dipstick reading shows zero or near-zero oil despite recent oil change; Owner must add oil weekly or every few hundred miles; Engine knocking or banging under load or at idle; Check engine light comes on (often late in failure progression); Reduced engine power warning or limp mode activation; No pre-failure low-oil indicator on dashboard (owners state 'oil life' meter showed 30–40% remaining when engine had no oil)
Codes mentioned: P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis includes oil consumption test at dealership. Repairs involve replacement of piston rings, pistons, and related internal engine components, or full engine replacement ($8,000–$10,300). One owner paid $2,468 for initial repair that did not resolve the issue. Multiple engine replacements required in at least one case (two replacements under warranty, then vehicle totaled after third engine failure). Another owner replaced timing chain/guide and seals ($3,600) but then learned bearings and pistons also failed, necessitating complete engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuits allege GM actively concealed excessive oil consumption defect from consumers. Pending settlement for 2014–2017 model years (mentioned in narratives as 'coming out' but timing unknown). GM customer service has reportedly refused assistance, citing low-oil state as failure to maintain, or stating vehicle is out of recall coverage. Some owners cite pending recall expected to be announced but no timeline given. Dealers confirm the 2.4L Ecotec engine has a known issue with oil consumption dating back to 2010–2013 models.
Timing Chain Failure and Internal Engine Damage
Timing chain stretches, slips, or breaks, often as a secondary failure triggered by severe oil starvation from excessive consumption or rear main seal failure. Broken chain can allow valves to strike pistons, bending or destroying all 16 valves and damaging pistons and bearings. Engine seizes or is destroyed.
When: Occurs after prolonged oil starvation or failure of primary sealing system; reported at mileages of 73,000–77,000 miles (well below typical 100,000+ mile chain life expectancy)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling sound from engine, progressive in intensity; Loud snapping or cracking sound; Engine seizure or sudden loss of power; Visible smoke and oil spray underneath vehicle; Check engine light illuminated; Reduced engine power message or limp mode
Codes mentioned: P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; no repair of chain alone is feasible. Repair cost $5,500–$10,300 for full engine replacement. One owner cited $10,300 for refurbished motor. Powertrain warranty (60,000 miles) expired in most cases, leaving owner fully responsible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for timing chain failures. Dealers and GM classify as 'normal wear and tear' despite failures occurring well before expected chain life and linked to oil starvation. One owner's insurance company initially denied coverage citing normal wear. Mechanics note this is a 'known problem' with class-action lawsuits referenced, but no active recall for 2017 model.
Sudden Power Loss and Engine Stall During Driving
Engine unexpectedly enters reduced power mode, limp mode, or stalls completely while driving—often at highway speeds or in traffic—with no advance warning lights or indicators. Vehicle decelerates dramatically or loses all propulsion without warning, creating immediate safety hazard. Cause typically traced to oil starvation from seal failure, excessive consumption, or timing chain damage.
When: Can occur at any mileage up to 147,000 miles; often first incident after months of apparently normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden 'reduced engine power' or 'reduced power' warning message appears seconds before failure; Engine stalls or dies completely, often mid-traffic or on expressway; Vehicle loses all acceleration ability; Stability-track or traction control warning lights illuminate immediately before or during failure; Vehicle may restart momentarily then stall again; Check engine light may illuminate late in sequence; No prior warning lights, oil pressure indicator, or other alerts despite severe underlying damage
Codes mentioned: P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Determination of root cause (oil loss, seal failure, chain damage) requires dealership or mechanic diagnostic; costs vary based on underlying cause (see PCV/seal and excessive consumption repair notes). One owner's independent mechanic could not determine cause without further inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge this symptom as common and tied to known oil consumption/seal issues. No proactive recalls issued. GM refers owners to NHTSA hotline if no active recall found. Some dealerships offer diagnostic at standard shop rate; others refuse further assistance if vehicle is out of warranty.
Camshaft and Lubrication System Failure
Oil does not properly travel to the top of the engine, starving the camshaft and valve train of lubrication. Camshaft can fail and require replacement, though failure may recur if root oil-delivery problem is not corrected. Abnormal metallic knocking and rattling from upper engine.
When: Around 81,000 miles reported; likely secondary to excessive oil consumption
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking sounds from engine; No warning light illuminated initially; Camshaft damage confirmed on disassembly
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replacement performed at local dealer; failure recurred. Independent mechanic diagnosed that oil was not reaching top of engine. No final repair cost cited in narrative; vehicle not yet repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but provided no assistance. Problem likely related to oil starvation from consumption or system design.
Synthesized from 147 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
Oil leak caused by insufficient ventilation and excessive oil burning caused rear main seal and timing chain belts to fail. Oil warning systems were too late in warning about problem until engine stalled out and all oil was consumed, causing engine failure. No low oil warnings came up until minutes after the initial engine shutdown. Research has shown that this has been a known chevy problem…
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Upon inspection, the contact noticed there was no oil on the dipstick. The positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV) was frozen, causing the rear main seal to become fractured. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power four times within 15 miles. The vehicle failed to restart after the fourth time and was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain and camshaft were faulty, and there was no oil in the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that…
Loss of engine oil due to Frozen PCV when driven in subzero blowing out rear main seal this is a common problem and design defect known by GM can cause complete engine failure and safety related issues. I have yet to have this repaired but I assume the price will be substantial
We live in mn and went out to start our 2.4 equinox and it started and then died. This was sitting in our driveway and was in park when it happened. We had it towed to a shop and was told that it there was a pcv freeze up which caused the main seal to blow loosing the oil. This caused the timing chain to fail. We reached out to gm and they stated this is out of warrantee and that 2017 where not…
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that his wife informed him that she noticed an abnormal oil odor inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed a puddle of oil in the driveway and there was no oil on the dipstick upon inspection. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle he determined that the Positive Crankcase Valve (PCV) had frozen, and the engine…
Vehicle stalled when driven or stopped at traffic light. Abnormal noises coming from engine. When engine oil was checked, no visible oil was available in the dipstick. Inserted dipstick a couple of times to ensure correct measurement. Extremely low oil left in vehicle. Vehicle seems to be burning oil. Diagnostic trouble codes read by obd2 tool were: p0011,p0191,p228d,p0089 and p0014. When…
When driving I heard a loud pop noise and the vehicle loss power. When looking at vehcile customer noticed oil leaking. Customer then looked at dip stick and there was no oil in vehicle. Customer got an oil change at jiffy lube 0n 11/8/2022.
The 2.4L engine is experiencing significant issues, including power loss and rapid oil consumption. The power loss has been observed while driving on both expressways and city streets. The oil burning commenced less than a month after an oil change, resulting in an oil level of zero. This situation poses a risk of accidents and endangers the occupants of the vehicle. An independent service center…
I have approximately 79000 miles on my [XXX] 2017 Equinox 2.4 SUV. I have 2 complaints. One is the blower for the heater works intermittently. The dealer claims it was the cabin air filter but I am not sure. There are a lot of reports on the internet claiming a melted plug causes this problem. The second complaint is the dealer claims the vent pipe for the PCV valve has condensation that froze…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 147 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 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 69,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 89,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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/2017/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.