2017 Chevrolet Equinox
Common Problems
Ranked from 118 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
29 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine stall due to rear main seal failure
32complaintsHigh severityEngineThe rear main seal failed, causing excessive oil loss and engine stall.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine misfire and power loss
16complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine misfires and power loss occur due to a variety of issues, including frozen PCV valves and rear main seal failures.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Timing chain failure
15complaintsHigh severityEngineThe timing chain fails, causing the engine to stall or experience reduced power.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Excessive Oil Consumption
14complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to low oil levels despite regular oil changes.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Excessive oil burning and oil leak due to PCV valve malfunction
12complaintsMedium severityEngineThe PCV valve malfunctioned, causing excessive oil burning and oil leaks.
$200–$1,600est. oil-leak repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Timing chain failure due to rear main seal blowout
12complaintsHigh severityEngineThe rear main seal blowout caused the timing chain to fail, resulting in engine failure.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Engine oil consumption due to frozen PCV valve
11complaintsHigh severityEngineThe Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve freezing leads to excessive oil consumption and engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine stalling and loss of power due to cold weather
11complaintsMedium severityEngineIn cold weather, the PCV valve malfunctioned, causing excessive pressure and engine stalling.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Engine power loss due to PCV valve issues
10complaintsMedium severityEngineAbnormal engine noises and power loss occur due to a frozen or clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine oil consumption defect
6complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive amounts of oil, leading to potential catastrophic engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine oil warning light failure
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe oil warning light does not illuminate despite low oil levels, leading to engine damage and failure.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine power reduction and stall
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine may suddenly lose power and stall, especially in cold weather, without any warning lights.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Battery drain and electrical system issues
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe battery drains rapidly and the electrical system malfunctions, causing various dashboard lights to turn on and off.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine power loss due to timing chain failure
5complaintsHigh severityEngineTiming chain failure results in engine power loss and potential engine seizure, often without warning lights.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Stall at Idle
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, often without warning, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine stall at idle due to stop-start system failure
5complaintsLow severityEngineThe stop-start system malfunctions, causing the engine to stall at idle, especially in cold conditions.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Reduced Engine Power
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences reduced power, often accompanied by a warning light, leading to difficulty in maintaining speed.
- 18
Airbag malfunction during minor collisions
4complaintsHigh severityOtherAirbags do not deploy or partially deploy during minor collisions, posing safety risks.
- 19
Engine Failure Due to Oil Starvation
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails due to oil starvation, often caused by a leaking rear main seal, leading to engine damage and requiring a complete engine replacement.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Battery Drain and Starting Issues
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle experiences repeated starting failures and battery drain issues, often leading to the vehicle not starting.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Stability control system malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe stability control system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially stall.
- 22
Wiper system failure
3complaintsLow severityOtherThe wiper system fails, leaving the windshield uncleaned and reducing visibility.
- 23
Airbag deployment failure
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe airbags fail to deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of injury.
- 24
Airbag Malfunction
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbags fail to deploy during a collision, posing a safety risk to the occupants.
- 25
Brake system failure leading to loss of stopping power
2complaintsHigh severityOtherBrakes fail to stop the car effectively, nearly causing accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Electrical system failure leading to sudden loss of functionality
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system suddenly fails, causing all interior functions to stop working.
- 27
Odometer Fraud
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe odometer shows a significantly lower mileage than the actual mileage, indicating potential fraud.
- 28
Power steering system failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering system fails, making it difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Severe nighttime visibility issues with headlights
2complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights provide poor visibility at night, especially on country roads and suburban areas.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.