2010 To 2013 Chevy Equinox Prone To Burning Oil, Consumer Reports Says
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The 2010 to 2013 model year Chevy Equinox compact crossover is prone to experiencing engine issues that may cause it to burn oil, according to the automotive experts over at Consumer Reports.
The consumer research publication recently put together a list of the used cars that are known to burn engine oil at any mileage. CR suggests readers avoid the vehicles on this list entirely, as these “at-risk cars could require diligent monitoring of the engine oil level so that the engine isn’t damaged.”
CR says “reliability was never these models’ strong suit,” with regard to the 2010 to 2013 model year Chevy Equinox, as the 2.4L LEA Ecotec four-cylinder engine in these crossovers have a tendency to burn oil. GM extended the warranty for the 2010 model year Equinox to 10 years/120,000 miles and 7.5 years/120,000 miles for 2011-2013 models after receiving owner complaints, but even with the extension, all affected vehicles are now out of warranty. CR readers that owned a 2010 to 2013 model year Chevy Equinox have given the vehicle a 1 out of 5 for reliability and a 1 out of 5 for owner satisfaction.
GM has faced numerous lawsuits over the oil burn issues in the 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engines, including one that was just filed in June of this year. That lawsuit alleges the engine’s piston rings fail to maintain sufficient tension to keep oil in the crankcase, allowing the oil to sneak past the rings and into the combustion chamber. The oil burn issue can also apparently foul the spark plugs and lead to carbon buildup on the pistons and cylinder walls. Some owners have experienced total engine failures after the oil level became too low.
CR says the 2010 to 2015 model year Toyota RAV4 is a good alternative to the Chevy Equinox, as it offers similar capability, packaging and fuel economy, but features a more reliable four-cylinder engine.
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My friend has a 2018! Equinox very reliable vehicle… For once the four cylinder engine is a good choice.
BS, I have a 2010 Equinox for 11years. Will start 12th year in February. Runs fantastic with one mechanical repair. Replaced the catalytic converter. Never ever had to replace oil before changes at 5000 miles. Consumer Reports does not like GM and GM does not put any support behind the magazine.
@ Michael Flanders finally someone who agrees with me… I own a 2010 Chevy Equinox LTZ 3.0 V6 and I love it it’s a great car. I also never had engine oil problems… I’m fact I just had a tune-up done and runs like it’s new with 95,000 miles on it! CS is full of BS they never ever give an American car top honor’s… They are imprt biased.. . maybe they hate Union workers!
2.4 liter engines on the 2010, 2012 and 2013 Equinox. Oil burners. I never included the 6 cylinders. Never read or heard of anyone with the 6 cylinder equinox that had oil burning issues. I have nothing to gain by these comments. Just a better night sleep by getting it off my mind.
Thanks for beating that dead horse Sam. Some of us that bought new 2010-13, 2.4L appreciate it. Money lost.
I have a 2011 Equinox and was just recently made aware of the oil burning problem..it started “rattling” 2200 miles before my oil was due to be changed according to my window sticker…When I had it changed I was told to bring it back after 1,000 miles..I was gone..took it in at 2000..and it was down a quart ..now I’ve been told to bring it in every 500 miles…my Nephew said just carry a qt. And pop the hood and put it in…not going to..I’ll use the dealers oil..their just down the road…was thinking about getting another one when the prices go down, but now…no notifications about this problem..irritates me..
My 2010 is burning oil too. I was told to drop a new engine in it or make sure it has oil in it.
Well I am up to 259,100 on original 2012 2.4 engine. I change oil every 3,500 miles. Walmart Synthetic 5w-30 and Walmart filter. Since it burns it, the brand does not really matter, I buy an extra 5 quarts and my daughter adds it over the 3,500 miles. She checks it every week. If you want an engine where you trust the oil light and mileage sticker this is not the car to have. Purchase a set of ramps and a filter tool and do it yourself. It takes ten minutes to change.
Our 2010 has 72,000 miles on it now. It now burns a quart between 400 and 450 miles. You taught your daughter well. Good job. That’s the only way to get the car to last that long. To bad it’s come to that.
Any suggestions on a decent car…what happened…there was a time we trusted cars…now we should carry cans of oil with us…maybe GM should get out of the car business and leave it to ones that can make a car that we can trust..I hate to think where I would have been if I would have ignored the sound and not changed oil until the date on the sticker…😢
My 2011 Chevy equinox tlz died at 97,000 miles after paying it over 13,000.00 and owning it only 16 months! Imagine? No help from general motors! I should get my money back from general motors. This happened because of the oil consumption. I used to change oil every month it was disappearing! All this made a mess out of engine. How can I be reimbursed my money?? I’m 68 years old! I had to go buy a heap to drive around in.
Your description is hard to understand. It sounds like you bought a high mile old used vehicle. If that is the case, why should the manufacturer owe you anything?
I did not buy a high mileage car!! It had only 97,ooo miles on it!! Due to oil consumption it cause frickson on to the engine cylinder killing it!!! I never said it was high mileage. Geesh.. I paid it 13,000.00 ! I only had it for 18 months you think that’s ok!???? It’s a manufacturer error.. All equinox burn tons of oil!! Yes I’m owed by General Motors there is definitely a problem that causes the engine to seize at such low mileage!! The car was fully loaded too!! Would you be mad????? That was my savings money!!!
The days of not checking oil levels are over not that you did not check. Once a week of you drive a lot or once a month. These gas direct injection motors consume oil. Change the 2.4 oil at 4,000 max regardless of oil monitor. Trust me I have 300,000 on 2012 equinox 2.4. It consumes 5 quarts in 3 months but I keep adding and it keeps running. I been using the Walmart 5w30 synthetic since it burns just like mobile 1.
You people don’t understand anything! So don’t comment and say stupid thing like high mileage when it didn’t have high mileage! The oil problem caused the problem the the engine cylinders. Ok
13 years old with 100,000 miles on it. And, you bought it used 18 months ago. Who are you kidding? No one owes you anything.
I have a 2013 equinox with the 2.4. Bought it new. Have about 75,000 miles on it with no major problems thus far. Uses about half quart for 3,500 miles. Monitor oil weekly. Actually has been an excellent winter car with AWD and all weather tires up here in Canada. I don’t drive it hard and have tranny fluid, coolant and transfer case fluid changed. I think extreme maintenance, driving easy and vigilance are the keys to keeping this vehicle. I will keep it till it Kabooms (Just like russian tank).