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2017 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 178 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 178 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2022
Power Train

The gear shift when in drive can be pushed into other gears without pushing the button. When driving down the highway going 70 mph, my dog has more than 10 times pushed it into neutral. It’s extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11458573

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
Power Train

This is a well known issue with the Equinox. The rear main seal goes and oil pours out the vehicle causing other issues to the engine, like the intake manifold. My rear exhaust manifold was cracked and now codes are coming up for timing chain. The dealer wanted over $2600 to repair since my warranty was expired. Haven’t had the …

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This is a well known issue with the Equinox. The rear main seal goes and oil pours out the vehicle causing other issues to the engine, like the intake manifold. My rear exhaust manifold was cracked and now codes are coming up for timing chain. The dealer wanted over $2600 to repair since my warranty was expired. Haven’t had the car 3 yrs and I personally only put under 50 K miles on the vehicle. Still owe $12000 for a junk SUV. The recall only covers 2010-2014 models yet GM is putting the same engine in newer models. This should be recalled due to all the complaints. My mechanic sees this all the time with the Equinox. I found a mechanic to repair for $1560+ but did not include timing chain. Still have check engine light on.

NHTSA ODI #11449828

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2022
Power Train

It seems to be a known problem with the pvc valve getting moisture in it, freezes, and then blowing the main seal. I found lots of records online of other victims. It caused loss of vehicle power and dumped oil on the road. Chevy refuses to cover it with a recall and I'm stuck with a $2500 repair on a vehicle with less than …

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It seems to be a known problem with the pvc valve getting moisture in it, freezes, and then blowing the main seal. I found lots of records online of other victims. It caused loss of vehicle power and dumped oil on the road. Chevy refuses to cover it with a recall and I'm stuck with a $2500 repair on a vehicle with less than 100k miles. I have it at a shop now. I have talked to a dealership and Chevrolet customer service and they say they know it's a problem but there's no recall on it.

NHTSA ODI #11449328

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2022
Power Train

The vehicle shutters when shifting up and hard shifts down in lower power bands.

NHTSA ODI #11448533

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2021
Power Train

I heard some scraping sounds while driving. It sounded like something dragging on the ground. Checked and saw nothing. Continued on driving then a few miles later saw some light smoke in rear view mirror. Pulled to shoulder of interstate and lifted hood to see smoke from behind engine. Vehicle was towed to auto dealer where…

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I heard some scraping sounds while driving. It sounded like something dragging on the ground. Checked and saw nothing. Continued on driving then a few miles later saw some light smoke in rear view mirror. Pulled to shoulder of interstate and lifted hood to see smoke from behind engine. Vehicle was towed to auto dealer where it was purchased. No warnings of any kind from the systems. Service department identified the problem as a hole in the transfer case which was covered under the CPO extended warranty. Chevrolet has not been able to provide the parts for the dealer to fix the vehicle since the beginning of May and is now saying the November 12, 2021 expected delivery of the parts probably will not happen. No customer courtesy vehicles are available and Chevy Corporate customer relations recommended that I rent a GM product from Enterprise and once the vehicle is repaired submit the rental bill for reimbursement. The vehicle is sitting in the back of the Curry Chevrolet lot collecting dust should the NHTSA want to take a look at it. It should be there until GM can "find" the parts to fix the almost 5 model year old vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11430484

63,000 miles · Mar 1, 2021
EnginePower Train

MY CAR HAS 63000 MILES ON IT. I KEEP UP WITH ALL OIL CHANGES. I HAVE A 30 MIN HWY DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK DAILY. I WAS DRIVING HONE FROM WORK ON SUPER COLD DAY BELOW ZERO IN ILLINOIS. HALFWAY THREW MY RIDE HOME CAR SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER 50 PERCENT. YOU CAN TELL CAR WAS DRIVING ROUGH. THEN EXITED ON MY EXIT AND SLOWED DO…

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MY CAR HAS 63000 MILES ON IT. I KEEP UP WITH ALL OIL CHANGES. I HAVE A 30 MIN HWY DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK DAILY. I WAS DRIVING HONE FROM WORK ON SUPER COLD DAY BELOW ZERO IN ILLINOIS. HALFWAY THREW MY RIDE HOME CAR SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER 50 PERCENT. YOU CAN TELL CAR WAS DRIVING ROUGH. THEN EXITED ON MY EXIT AND SLOWED DOWN TO PULL OVER AND CAR SAID LOW OIL TURN OFF ENGINE CAR SHOOK AND SHUT DOWN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED OIL IT WAS EMPTY!!! WE FILLED IT AND BROUGHT TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY GOT BACK TO US TOLD US WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PISTON RING BROKE AND NEED TO FIX FOR 2200. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM WITH NO HELP TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THIER VEHICLE DEFECT THAT CLEARLY IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIER VEHICLES. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT DEALER BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY SAID MY YEAR IS NOT RECALLED YET!!

NHTSA ODI #11398478

70,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Power Train

I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND NOTICED THAT MY POWER DECREASED AND FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS NOT MOVING AS FAST. I LOOKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY DASH WAS ON AND IT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND THE 2ND SCREEN SAID TO CHECK STABILITRAK. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PULLED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT…

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I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND NOTICED THAT MY POWER DECREASED AND FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS NOT MOVING AS FAST. I LOOKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY DASH WAS ON AND IT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND THE 2ND SCREEN SAID TO CHECK STABILITRAK. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PULLED RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK ON IT STILL HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WAS OFF. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY PARENTS AND THE NEXT DAY IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED IT AND IT IS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. HE ADVISED ME TO GET A NEW ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST 5,000 FOR A USED ONE. THIS IS A 2017 VEHICLE, WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!!!! THE OIL WAS RECENTLY CHANGED AND WHEN IT WAS CHECKED, THERE WAS NOTHING SHOWING ON THE DIPSTICK. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, SOME AS RECENT AS JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2021 AND SOME WERE ALSO LOCATED IN MICHIGAN. I AM A SINGLE MOM ON A LIMITED INCOME AND DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE OR THE MEANS TO FIX MY EQUINOX. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY HAS GM SAT BACK AND DONE NOTHING? IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL AND SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS NO NEEDED IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11397401

48,500 miles · Sep 19, 2020
Power Train

AT 48,500 MILES APPROX. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND FAILING. IT STARTED WITH A JOLT WHEN COMING TO A STOP THEN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, 2ND TO 3RD IT WOULD JOLT HARD LIKE IT STRUGGLED TO CHANGE GEARS. IT DOES NOT SHOW ANY ISSUES ON THE MECHANICS COMPUTER. NOW 2 WEE…

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AT 48,500 MILES APPROX. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND FAILING. IT STARTED WITH A JOLT WHEN COMING TO A STOP THEN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, 2ND TO 3RD IT WOULD JOLT HARD LIKE IT STRUGGLED TO CHANGE GEARS. IT DOES NOT SHOW ANY ISSUES ON THE MECHANICS COMPUTER. NOW 2 WEEKS LATER IT STALLS AT 14MPH WHEN GOING UP A HILL, IT WONT CHANGE GEARS AND LOSES POWER GOING DOWN TO 11MPH. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ITS THE V6, PREMIERE MODEL AND IS VERY DISAPPOINTING SINCE IT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. IT WAS LOOKED AT BRIEFLY BY ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. I AM HAVING IT REBUILT WHEN THEY HAVE AN OPENING IN 2 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #11360018

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2019
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL, 17, WENT FOR FIRST "PREPAID" OIL CHANGEJUNE, MENTIONED OIL LEAK. TOLD BY SERVICEMAN, FIXED.2ND OIL CHANGE AROUND SEPTEMBER, STILL SEEING OIL LEAK. SAID FIXED. LAST JANUARY 2018, I TOOK A VIDEO OF PUDDLE OF OIL IN GARAGE SO THEY CAN SEE IT WAS ACTIVE LEAK. CAR KEEP ALL DAY. FIXED. THIS PAST MAY, TOOK…

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I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL, 17, WENT FOR FIRST "PREPAID" OIL CHANGEJUNE, MENTIONED OIL LEAK. TOLD BY SERVICEMAN, FIXED.2ND OIL CHANGE AROUND SEPTEMBER, STILL SEEING OIL LEAK. SAID FIXED. LAST JANUARY 2018, I TOOK A VIDEO OF PUDDLE OF OIL IN GARAGE SO THEY CAN SEE IT WAS ACTIVE LEAK. CAR KEEP ALL DAY. FIXED. THIS PAST MAY, TOOK IT IN THEIR REPORT SAID, OIL LEAK, THAT NEEDS TO BE CHECKOUT OUT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO ANYONE ELSE. BRUCE LOWRIE CHEVROLET HAS THE HISTORY. I PREPAID FOR OIL CHANGES AND GO REGULARLY. DATES ARE APPROXIMATE BUT I HAVE REPORTS IN MY CAR GLOVEBOX

NHTSA ODI #11231011

48,661 miles · Jun 19, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY CAR MAKE A LOUD BANG, IT SAID TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING IDLE ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATING, IDLE ENGINE, SERVICE STABILITRACK, SERVICE ANTI LOCK BREAKING SYSTEM, SERVICE POWER STEERING SYSTEM, MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I WENT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY TO THE OFF RAMP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR CAME TO A SCREECHI…

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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, MY CAR MAKE A LOUD BANG, IT SAID TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING IDLE ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATING, IDLE ENGINE, SERVICE STABILITRACK, SERVICE ANTI LOCK BREAKING SYSTEM, SERVICE POWER STEERING SYSTEM, MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I WENT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY TO THE OFF RAMP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE MADE THE LOUDEST BANG I HAVE EVER HEARD. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE ONE OTHER TIME! THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED MY TRANSMISSION HAD A LEAK BUT NO LEAK MARKS IN MY BRAND NEW DRIVEWAY, THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT FOR 200 MILES SO THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE THE LEAK IS, THIS WAS ALL SAID THE DAY I HAD MY OIL CHANGED, THEN WHEN I CAN BACK AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES THEY THEN CLAIMED MY OIL PAN WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THANK GOD MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. THEY LOOKED SHOCKED WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT AND I WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11221271

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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