--- title: "2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "6 documented problems with the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 of them are serious. 2 carry a recall or TSB number." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox Common Problems and Years to Avoid 6 documented problems with the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 of them are serious. 2 carry a recall or TSB number. **Quick answer**: We have 6 documented problems on record for the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, of which 1 is serious and 2 carry a recall or service bulletin. ## 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox recalls and service bulletins | Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | GM Special Coverage 15285 / N192291100 | 2.4L excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings) | major | | NHTSA 16V-582 (2013); NHTSA 22V-165 (2014-2015) | Windshield wiper failure (two recalls) | moderate | Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding. ## 2.4L excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings) (major) The defining fault of this generation: oil-control rings on the 2.4L Ecotec stick and wear, and the engine burns oil, often 1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles, which in turn takes out timing chains and, if run dry, the whole engine. GM issued Special Coverage 15285 and later N192291100 (7 years 6 months / 120,000 mi) covering piston-assembly replacement, and settled class-action suits; a separate suit alleged 2014-2017 models have the same defect. Most coverage windows have now expired, so buy used examples only after a compression/consumption check. Most affected: 2012-2017 (2010-2013 covered by GM special coverage; 2014-2017 subject of later litigation). Typical cost: Was free under special coverage; $2,500-$4,500 for pistons/rings out of coverage. Recall/TSB: GM Special Coverage 15285 / N192291100. ## 2.4L timing chain stretch/wear (moderate) Closely linked to the oil-consumption problem. Low oil accelerates chain and guide wear. Symptoms are a rattle on cold start and codes P0008/P0016/P0017; unaddressed, a jumped chain can bend valves. Keeping the crankcase full and oil changes on schedule is the best prevention. Most affected: 2012-2014 (most reports). Typical cost: $900-$1,800 for chain, guides and tensioner. ## Windshield wiper failure (two recalls) (moderate) Wiper systems on this generation failed two separate ways: 2013 models were recalled (NHTSA 16V-582, ~368,000 vehicles) for wiper motor gear corrosion, and 2014-2015 models were recalled (NHTSA 22V-165) after investigation EA19-005 found the wiper module's plastic ball joints corrode and pop apart, killing one or both wipers. Dealers repair free. Check your VIN. Most affected: 2013-2015. Typical cost: Free under recall; ~$150-$400 for a wiper module out of recall scope. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 16V-582 (2013); NHTSA 22V-165 (2014-2015). ## Camshaft actuator / VVT solenoid faults (2.4L) (minor) Check-engine lights with camshaft position codes (P0010-P0014) are common on the 2.4L, caused by sticking camshaft actuator solenoids, often aggravated by dirty or low oil. Usually a straightforward solenoid replacement; a genuinely worn actuator costs more. Most affected: 2012-2017. Typical cost: $150-$450. ## StabiliTrak / electrical gremlins from a corroded negative battery cable (minor) Random StabiliTrak/traction-control warnings, no-crank events, and flickering electronics on this generation frequently trace to a corroded negative battery cable or ground connection, a cheap, well-known fix that gets misdiagnosed as bigger problems. Most affected: 2012-2017. Typical cost: $50-$200. ## V6 timing cover and water pump seepage (moderate) The 3.0L/3.6L high-feature V6s commonly seep oil from the timing cover gasket and coolant from the water pump as they age. Leaks are usually slow, watch levels and address before they grow; timing cover resealing is labor-heavy. Most affected: 2012-2017 (V6, typically >90k mi). Typical cost: $400-$700 (water pump); $800-$1,500 (timing cover reseal). Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox. Not every vehicle will experience these issues. ## Which Chevrolet Equinox model years does this cover? These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Chevrolet Equinox built from 2012 through 2017, the 2nd generation, compact/mid-size crossover suv (theta platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012) - [2013 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2013) - [2014 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2014) - [2015 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2015) - [2016 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2016) - [2017 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2017) ## What changed during the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Last year for the 3.0L LFW V6 option | | 2013 | 3.6L LFX V6 (301 hp) replaces the 3.0L; MyLink touchscreen infotainment added | | 2016 | Facelift begins: new projector-beam headlights across the lineup with LED running lamps on LT/LTZ; Teen Driver mode and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot added GM-wide this model year | | 2016-2017 | Facelift: new front/rear fascias, grille and wheels; mechanical specs (oil, filters, wipers, bulbs) carry over unchanged | | 2017 | Final year of the 2nd generation: carries over with minimal changes after 2016's refresh; LTZ trim renamed Premier, new Midnight Edition and Sport appearance packages added | ## 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox? The recurring ones are: 2.4l excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings); 2.4l timing chain stretch/wear; windshield wiper failure (two recalls); camshaft actuator / vvt solenoid faults (2.4l); stabilitrak / electrical gremlins from a corroded negative battery cable. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### Which 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid? The years to be most careful with are those affected by 2.4l excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings) (2012-2017 (2010-2013 covered by GM special coverage; 2014-2017 subject of later litigation)). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely. ### Are there recalls on the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox? 2 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: GM Special Coverage 15285 / N192291100 (2.4l excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings)), NHTSA 16V-582 (2013); NHTSA 22V-165 (2014-2015) (windshield wiper failure (two recalls)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding. ### How much do 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: 2.4l excessive oil consumption (worn piston rings), Was free under special coverage; $2,500-$4,500 for pistons/rings out of coverage; 2.4l timing chain stretch/wear, $900-$1,800 for chain, guides and tensioner; windshield wiper failure (two recalls), Free under recall; ~$150-$400 for a wiper module out of recall scope; camshaft actuator / vvt solenoid faults (2.4l), $150-$450. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2013 Equinox 2.4L LEA (oil viscosity/capacity/torque)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/chevrolet/equinox/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-k-lea-k-flex/) - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2015 Equinox 3.6L LFX (6 qt, 5W-30)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2015/chevrolet/equinox/3-6l-6-cyl-engine-code-3-lfx-4/) - [NHTSA TSB library, GM Special Coverage N192291100, excessive oil consumption](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10171430-9999.pdf) - [ClassAction.org, Equinox/Terrain oil-consumption settlement details (SCA 15285)](https://www.classaction.org/blog/settlement-reached-in-class-action-over-chevy-equinox-gmc-terrain-oil-consumption-here-are-the-details) - [NHTSA recall 16V-582, 2013 Equinox windshield wiper motor](https://auto-recalls.justia.com/chevrolet/equinox/2013/16v582000/index.html) - [NHTSA recall report 22V-165, 2014-2015 Equinox/Terrain wiper module](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCLRPT-22V165-9528.PDF) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Equinox placard tire sizes and pressures](https://tirepressure.org/chevrolet/equinox/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2014 Equinox EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2014_Chevrolet_Equinox.shtml) - [FinditParts, ACDelco PF457G cross-reference (Wix 57082, Baldwin P7442)](https://www.finditparts.com/products/3862532/acdelco-pf457g) - [TerrainForum, GM bulletin on ACDelco PF63E filter for high-feature V6](https://www.terrainforum.net/threads/pf-63-oil-filter-info.10938/) - [Turan-Foley Chevrolet, Equinox lug nut torque (140 lb-ft) by year](https://www.turanfoley.com/blogs/7280/chevy-equinox-lug-nut-torque-research/) ## Other Chevrolet Equinox generations - [2025 Chevrolet Equinox problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2025/common-problems) - [2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2018-2024/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/common-problems). ## More for the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.