Chevrolet Equinox GMT172
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The second-generation Equinox (2010–2017) moved closer to European compact-SUV dimensions and became the best-selling Chevy crossover of its era. In Europe it stays exotic; in North America it's everywhere — which means excellent parts supply.
The engines: This is where the wheat separates from the chaff. The two four-cylinders LAF and LEA (2.4L Ecotec direct injection, 136 kW each) are the problem children: notorious low-tension oil rings that cause massive oil consumption as early as 80,000 km — up to a liter per 1,600 km — until the engine loses oil pressure. Add timing chain stretch, leaking water pump/thermostat housing and, being direct-injected, intake valve coking. The LFX (3.6L V6, 224 kW, ~301 hp) is the clearly better choice: different chain suppliers and better materials push chain wear far out. It has its own items — water pump, high-pressure pump, valve coking, PCV oil consumption — but none of the self-destructive oil thirst of the 2.4s.
Model years: The 2.4's piston rings were revised over the years — later cars burn less oil but it's no free pass. The Gen-2 facelift from 2016 brought minor detail improvements. Rule of thumb: avoid a 2.4 without proof of oil consumption, go for the LFX.
Whole car: The 6T45/6T70 automatic tends toward shift shudder and gear flare — test it hot. Steering can bind or need extra effort; StabiliTrak warnings often trace to a wheel-speed sensor. Add seizing AC compressors, leaking AC condensers, early front wheel-bearing wear, a clacking HVAC actuator (blend door), an inaccurate fuel gauge and a rattling tailgate (TSB PIT4994).
Test drive: On the 2.4, check oil level cold AND after a long run; blue smoke on throttle is a deal-breaker. Warm the automatic and watch for shudder/flare. Test AC for ice-cold output (compressor/condenser). Check steering for binding. Keep an eye on the StabiliTrak light.
Market 2026: In the US, decent examples run roughly EUR 6,000–10,000; rare imports in Europe. Insider pick: the LFX V6 with a clean history — the only engine of this generation you can buy without worry.
301 PS
Equinox · Benzin
The V6 that half-saved this generation
Decent185 PS
2.4L Ecotec Flex I4 Benzin
4 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Chevrolet Equinox GMT172 is available with 2 engine variants — from 182 to 301 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection unit with a flat-link timing chain and VVT. Economical and adequately strong on paper, but in practice notorious for worn low-tension oil rings that cause heavy oil consumption from as early as 50,000 miles (up to a quart per 1,000 miles). GM paid a $42 million class-action settlement over exactly this piston-ring story and set up a special coverage program. If the oil level drops unnoticed, the chain tensioner loses pressure and the timing chain stretches early. Being direct-injected, it tends to coke up the intake valves. Buying this engine means buying the oil-consumption risk — frequent oil-level checks are mandatory.
- !! Excessive oil consumption — defective piston rings (2.4L Ecotec) from 80,000 km
The 2.4L Ecotec LAF/LEA suffers severely worn low-tension oil rings. Consumption up to a quart per 1,000 miles, leading to misfires, fouled plugs, stalling and engine damage. A $42M class-action settlement and GM special coverage 16118 document the defect.
Symptoms: Blue smoke on cold start, low oil between changes, cylinder 2 misfires, oil warning - !! Timing chain stretch (2.4L Ecotec) from 150,000 km
The 2.4L Ecotec timing chain often stretches before 100,000 miles, especially when the typical oil consumption is ignored and the level drops — the tensioner loses pressure. Cold-start rattle, codes P0008/P0016/P0017, valve damage in the worst case.
Symptoms: Cold start rattle, P0008/P0017 codes, power loss, check engine light - !! Water pump and thermostat housing leaks (2.4L) from 130,000 km
The 2.4L Ecotec water pump and thermostat housing develop leaks over time, with gradual coolant loss typical from 80,000 miles. The pump sits awkwardly, making replacement labor-intensive and correspondingly expensive.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, wet spots under engine, overheating in hot weather
2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection unit with E85 flex-fuel capability, mechanically near-identical to the LAF and carrying the same weaknesses. Worn low-tension oil rings cause heavy oil consumption (up to a quart per 1,000 miles), followed by timing-chain stretch once the oil level drops. From the 2014 model year GM fitted revised pistons that markedly reduced oil burn — later examples are the clearly better pick. Being direct-injected, intake-valve carbon buildup is typical. Special coverage and several class actions document the oil issue extensively; diligent oil checks and short change intervals are key.
- !! Severe oil consumption from failed piston rings from 90,000 km
The 2.4L LEA burns up to a quart of oil per 1,000 miles through worn low-tension oil rings. As the level drops, misfires, stalling and engine damage follow. A second class action targets the 2014-2017 model years. Revised pistons from 2014 ease the problem.
Symptoms: Rapidly dropping oil level between changes, blue smoke under acceleration, oil-fouled spark plugs, misfires, check-engine light, and stalling while driving in extreme cases. - !! Timing chain stretch from 150,000 km
The 2.4L LEA timing chain often stretches before 100,000 miles — almost always a result of the typical oil consumption starving the tensioner of pressure at low oil level. In the worst case the chain skips and bends valves in this interference engine.
Symptoms: Marbles-in-a-can rattle on cold start, rough idle, check-engine light with P0008/P0016/P0017, power loss and hard starting. - !! Water pump and thermostat housing leaks from 130,000 km
The 2.4L LEA water pump and thermostat housing develop leaks with mileage, with gradual coolant loss typical from 80,000 miles. The pump is poorly accessible, making replacement labor-intensive and expensive.
Symptoms: Coolant puddle under the vehicle, sweet smell, slowly dropping reservoir, occasional overheating warning, damp traces around the pump.
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Revised evolution of the 3.6-liter V6 with direct injection and variable cam timing, around 301 hp. Different chain suppliers and improved materials push timing chain stretch into a later window (roughly 145,000 to 210,000 km with proper oil changes), but the underlying weakness remains. As a pure direct-injection unit it cokes the intake valves, while the high-pressure fuel pump and the awkwardly mounted water pump are typical wear items. On pre-late-2013 builds the undersized PCV orifice drives oil consumption. Strict 8,000 km intervals instead of trusting the oil-life monitor are mandatory.
- !! Premature timing chain wear 3.6L LFX from 160,000 km
The LFX uses a different chain supplier than the LLT, with a later stretch window (roughly 145,000 to 210,000 km with proper oil changes). With extended intervals it appears earlier: cold-start rattle, P0008/P0016. The repair covers primary and secondary chains, tensioners, guides and usually the water pump (12-16 hours).
Symptoms: Cold start rattle, P0008/P0009 codes, check engine light - !! Water pump failure from 145,000 km
The internal water pump is a known wear item that typically fails between 130,000 and 160,000 km. The awkward mounting location drives labor cost; many replace it preventively during the timing chain service.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, puddle under the car, rising temperature, squeal or bearing noise, overheat warning. - !! High-pressure fuel pump failure from 150,000 km
The cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump can wear out. Symptoms are long crank times and rough idle with P0087/P0089. If the internal seals fail, fuel dilutes the engine oil, risking bearing damage. GM issued a special coverage program for the pump.
Symptoms: Long cranking on start, rough idle, limp mode, gasoline smell on the dipstick, P0087/P0089.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering sticking / increased effort NHTSA examined about 781,000 Equinox/Terrain 2010-2012 after 117 complaints: the steering gear develops friction and sticks in the straight-ahead position after long highway runs. GM replaced steering gears under special coverage 14232 — no formal recall. Symptoms: Heavy steering, jerky steering inputs, EPS warning from 110,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 21 weaknesses have been documented for the Chevrolet Equinox GMT172 (2010–2017) — 12 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: LAF (2.4L Ecotec I4), LEA (2.4L Ecotec Flex I4). Typical issues affect Steering, Gearbox, Electronics, HVAC.
Equinox (LAF, 2010–2011) — Stay Away!: Excessive oil consumption — defective piston rings (2.4L Ecotec), Timing chain stretch (2.4L Ecotec), Water pump and thermostat housing leaks (2.4L). Power: 182 PS.
Equinox (LEA, 2012–2017) — Stay Away!: Severe oil consumption from failed piston rings, Timing chain stretch, Water pump and thermostat housing leaks. Power: 182 PS.
Equinox (LFX, 2013–2017) — Be Careful: Premature timing chain wear 3.6L LFX, Water pump failure, High-pressure fuel pump failure. Power: 301 PS.
What to watch out for with the Chevrolet Equinox? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Chevrolet Equinox GMT172 have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee