2010 Chevrolet Equinox And GMC Terrain Likely To Need Engine Rebuild
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The 2010 model-year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain with the 2.4L LEA four-cylinder engine are likely to need an engine rebuild at some point in their lifetime, according to a recent article published by Consumer Reports.
The Consumer Reports article used data from the publication’s Annual Autos Survey to determine which older used vehicles have the highest engine problem rates. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain both wound up on the list, with CR readers reporting numerous problems with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine that serves as the base-level engine in the crossovers.
According to the report, the 2.4L-powered 2010 Equinox and Terrain typically experience engine trouble between 84,500 miles and 108,500 miles. Consumer Reports received an abundance of similar complaints with regard to the 2.4L engine found in these crossovers, almost all of which indicated the four-cylinder engine burns oil at an excessive rate, leading the engine oil to run low and eventually causing significant damage.
Many 2010 Equinox and Terrain owners say the engine repairs were covered under warranty, but used-car shoppers who may be looking at the vehicles now would likely no longer be covered by the powertrain warranty. Owners report the engine typically begins to burn oil before experiencing piston, piston ring or valve damage of some sort.
“Engine started using extreme amounts of oil, then lost a piece off one valve,” one Consumer Reports reader said in the survey. “A service bulletin indicated it needed a ring job in addition to the valve, so the entire engine was replaced instead.”
“Had to have all four pistons replaced, started going through oil excessively shortly after water pump and chain replaced,” said another owner.
Many owners have reported problems with the 2.4L engine found in the second-generation Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Last year, GM reached a settlement with owners of the vehicles that claimed they had to pay out of pocket for engine repairs due to a design flaw related to faulty piston rings in the four-cylinder motor, which caused the engine to burn a quart of oil every 1,000 miles.
In addition, GM Authority readers have also expressed frustration over their experience with the 2.4L engines. One commenter said the engine in their daughter’s 2010 Equinox blew after “the rear main seal let go causing engine to overheat and throw a rod.” Other commenters said the engine in their vehicles seized completely due to the same oil consumption issue.
Consumer Reports suggests car shoppers who may be in the market for a vehicle like the 2010 Equinox instead look at offerings like the 2010 Honda CR-V or 2010 Toyota RAV4. The second-generation Equinox and Terrain are also available with 3.0L and 3.6L V6 engines for those shoppers who may still want the GM product, but don’t want to deal with the 2.4L engine’s gremlins.
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I have a 2012 GMC Terrain with the 2.4 Eco Tech motor 3 weeks after the 5 year warranty was up I blew the rear main seal Same problem as the other 2.4 motors Dealership would not cover the cost of the rear main seal Was told that my Vin numbers do not match the bulletin recall . I personally think that consuming a court of oil every 1000 miles is not normal I had occurred another towing bill which I was not reimbursed for But I will do everything that I can to keep it American It’s said when these corporations will not do a voluntary recall unless they have to because it is a EPA a violation with their vehicle or a safety issue There are numerous complaints with the same problems and GM isn’t doing anything about it but keeping our money
Bill- this happened to my 2013 Terrain December of 2019. Same thing-blew my seal and ruined my engine- they keep saying it is not my vin. I’ve been quoted anywhere from $6,000-9,000 for a new/rebuilt engine.
I purchased a Certified pre owned GMC terrain. 2016 with 35,300 miles on it, after I purchased it, the dealership Hart GMC in West Branch Michigan did have to completely Rebuild the engine, all 4 Brake pads and Rotors had to be replaced. They put the used pads back on the new Rotors. The motor Rebuild was simply a core engine and all of the old parts, Pistons, Crank shaft. Hart GMC in West Branch Michigan even put the old spark plugs in. Much more. Avoid the GMC terrain and Hart GMC West Branch Michigan
Rebuilding engine does not work.replace engine or vehicle
So Robert,
Did you just come on this forum to complain about your car? Never posted before?
Really sorry for the crap service you got from Hart GMC, but your experience doesn’t help the article.
Heck, it isn’t even the same engine.
You have an LEA engine (if you have a 4cyl). This article is about the LAF.
Sorry Robert, not buying the claim that they used your old pistons and such. dealers do not tear down and rebuild engines, they buy rebuilt long blocks from reputable companies and install them.
So is it just that model year or all 2.4L V4 engines? 2016 with 15,000 miles on it as of now.
I hav a 2015 equinox bought brand new. By 90,000 miles had to have the engine rebuilt. Was going through more than a quart and half of oil in 800 miles. Also the front muffler split around 50,000 miles. Tried Chevy again after 15 years. I will never buy Chevy again.
I have a 2015 Equinox with this engine. I just had part of my engine replaced (including timing chain). I have 70,000 on it. Before this (4 weeks ago) I had a alternator replaced, I just had a new battery replaced. I bought an extended warranty through Zurich and they cover almost all of my problems except for battery.
I had 2 center stacks replaced (heating/AC and radio wouldn’t work), I had center muffler replaced, I had 2 Cruise control switches and 1 radio switch on wheel replaced, I had Engine mounts replaced with 2 years of owning it, I had a new front axle replaced cause of leaking, I had all 4 wheel axle bushings replaced, Drivers side window motor replaced.
I’ve always had GM vehicles and had minimal issues but this one is just pure junk, never again will I buy another GM. Only thing I haven’t had an issue with is it consuming oil, but I’m due to have that, it’s the only thing left.
My transmission went out with 64,too miles on my GMC 2015 terrain!!!
My 2013 Equinox would run bone dry, no lights, no sound, no oil, no nothing. From time to time, I would check the oil and it would be bone dry on the stick.
Ray-Ray you need to check oil at every fuel up like the manual says because it will cause damage. The OLM is not there to tell you your oil is low. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit said they did not check their oil because GM made the dipstick to difficult to find and they expect the car to tell them when they need to add oil.
I own a 2011 equinox and had to replace my engine. Actually had to replace every single part on this vehicle. Called GM to report problem but they didn’t care.
Replace every part, really! Not buying it.
I bought my 2010 Equinox in September 2015. It had 120400 kms on the odometer, I fell in love with it and it was something even my wife agreed to. It was a local trade and had all documentation of service which impressed me. The day I picked it up I was like a kid on Christmas morning…I wasn’t 5 minutes away from the dealership and my salesman calls me and tells me that there is an open recall on your vehicle but that was for paint and the bottom of the doors. It wasn’t untill 154000 kms that I found the oil consumption issue. The dealership told me that they would replace the lower part of the motor. Pistons, rings, valve guides, timing gears and belt all sensors. I had all exspenses along with my rental car covered by GM. My Equinox now has 186000 kms on the odometer and is running great. I know I was fortunate to have my expenses covered but it’s what GM should have done regardless. I still have my Equinox today
Terrible luck with my 2010 2.4 equinox. I bought it used, $ 6000. Owner new about the oil consumption, she just didn’t tell me. Had to have the 4 Pistons installed. Manifold cleaned. Love the handling and features, but the vehicle loves new parts every month. I will never buy a Chevrolet again.
Danoreo, the car is 10 years old. It requires continuous maintenance.
I bought a 2012 with 130000 and have been burning oil like crazy and after you shut it off it runs for a couple extra seconds and then turns off rough. Its the same engine in mine and its been trouble.
Not a 2.4 engine issue BUT … after 2 TOYOTA’S — RAV4 350 K miles ; CAMRY 210 K miles with NO ISSUES AT ALL, I bought a 2005 SILVERADO 4.3 L which didn’t make it to 100 K. SORRY BUT NEVER BUYING AMERICAN EVER AGAIN.
Anybody that got GM to cover the cost of repairs: How did you do it??? I have a 2011 equinox with the same oil consumption issue and was even part of the class action lawsuit. The lawsuit only pertained to reimbursement so I was out of luck with that and GM won’t take responsibility or offer to pay a penny towards repairs.
I found that they had an extended recall on it
I did my research before buying the used 2012, i knew about all the issues and reviewed the service bulletins and requested service under the extended coverage. GM and dealer was great, professional, and timely. Two years later and 20k miles, still running great.
I had my 2010 rebuild because of this issue. You must first take it to the dealer for oil consumption testing to make sure it’s in the parameters of the campaign. Which mine was burning 2.5qts per 1,000 miles and running sluggish. The only things I had to pay for was to have the cylinder head cleaned and the exhaust manifold because it had a hairline crack. That was about 500 bucks. But now all is great. That was about 20k ago.
I have a 2016 Equinox. I have put 105,000 miles on it in the 3 years of ownership. I have not had one single issue at all except replacing the camshaft position actuator solenoid for the exhaust which was a 40.00 part and I replaced it myself and only had to remove 1 bolt and took less than 5 mins. My Equinox has been driven hard on multiple cross country trips, mountainous and extreme heat and dusty terrain in Texas, the heat and humidity plus the salty air from living in Florida. I have not did my oil changes until it tells me too, it has never had a problem with oil consumption and never gotten low. I have yet to change spark plugs or wires, no transmission flush, just the basic oil and fuel system maintenance. I don’t think it’s the engine design, I think it’s because of factory defects and shotty workmanship during manufacturing or maintenance done outside the dealership or even by the service depts at the dealership. My Equinox goes only to one dealership for services and the exact same person every time performs my maintenance and it’s also the exact same person who helps me build my drag cars and I have never even once blew an engine in my drag cars and have 4 cars right now that run 7 second 1/4 miles and only have LS2 6.0 liter GM motors with very few engine modifications and upgrades. However, every Chrysler/Mopar product I have ever driven has had major engine work before 50,000 miles and 2 of those the oil rings blew the 5,000 miles and Chrysler was forced to buy back every single one. I think it needs to be investigated on which plant these Equinoxes and Terrains were built in and where their parts originate as well as practices occurring by service providers.
For some reason the 2.4 l engine has always had these issues i have owned is gm cars and every car with the 2.4l engine has had oil consumption or break down issues its just a poorly designed engine my truck now has the 3.4 in it not one issue its got 144,000 on it
Many customers with 2.4l have lasted over 150k without problems.
Hi John, I’m surprised that GM hasn’t been whacked with lawsuits as negligence. But it’s cheaper to fix problems, after the break down. I’m going to go all the way until the judge orders a buy back. Thank you.
Why would anyone “buy” a GM vehicle… lease it and return it…
It seems that this oil issue in mine and others is causeing thousands and more to rebuild or replace engine. It seems like GM should be held responsible for the damage that the burning oil is causing to the environment and people pockets. I love out terrain but hate the issues I posted earlier.
Almost every example in the article indicated oil level was allowed to get too low which caused engine damage. Infact the plaintiffs actually admitted in the complaint they did check their oil like the owners manual requires and blamed GM for making the dipstick too difficult to find. Due to GDI fuel dilution and abrasive soot, these engines and many othets experience premature wear in the rings and chains. OEMs and oil companies have known for 6 years, and only making changes to oil formulation and engine testing. Check out the API SP and GF6 standard. Owners need to stop using the oil life monitor, and stick to 3k oil changes. The author could have done a better job on the facts.
I got a 2013 back in September 2019. Noticed the oil use. I called the dealership. He told me there was a recall and to bring my car in for the repair. They replaced a printed out page of past that had to be replaced. They gave me a new car to use till they got mine fixed. Not one penny outta my pocket. Call a local dealer. They will need the last 8 of the vin and let you know if there is a recall and they’ll fix it.
That’s the problem. GM wont issue a recall, only a service bulletin.