Worst Years for the Chevy Equinox to Avoid

🚨 The short answer

Avoid 2010-2013, and be cautious with 2018-2019. The worst years for the Chevy Equinox cluster around two engines. The first-generation 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder (2010-2013, and lingering into 2017) is notorious for burning a quart of oil every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. The second-generation 1.5L turbo (2018-2019) added coolant intrusion and its own oil consumption. If you are shopping used, treat any 2.4L Equinox as guilty until proven innocent, and budget for a thorough oil-consumption check.

The good news: the Equinox is otherwise cheap to own and easy to find parts for, and the 2020 and newer models fixed most of the chronic issues. The trick is knowing which years carry the expensive failures so you do not inherit a $3,000 problem on a $9,000 SUV.

📊 Worst years at a glance

Here is how the problem years stack up, ranked roughly from most to least troublesome, along with the signature failure and a realistic repair cost.

Year(s)	Engine	Signature failure	Typical fix cost
2010-2011	2.4L Ecotec	Severe oil consumption, worn rings, PCV failure	$1,500-$3,000
2012-2013	2.4L Ecotec	Oil burning, timing chain stretch, stalling	$1,500-$3,500
2018	1.5L Turbo	Coolant intrusion, oil consumption, stop-start glitches	$1,000-$4,000
2019	1.5L Turbo	Coolant intrusion, transmission hesitation	$1,000-$4,000
2014-2017	2.4L Ecotec	Lingering oil consumption (less severe)	$1,200-$3,000

If you have an active warning light, you can match it to likely causes with our P0011 timing code guide or the broader car burning oil symptom page before you spend a dime at a shop.

⚙ Why these years fail

The 2.4L Ecotec oil problem (2010-2017)

This is the failure that defines the worst years for the Chevy Equinox. The 2.4L Ecotec engine has a weak piston ring design and a PCV system that, over time, lets oil get pulled into the combustion chamber and burned off. Owners commonly report losing a quart every 1,000 to 2,000 miles by 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

The danger is that the oil light often does not come on until the level is critically low. Drivers who only check oil at scheduled changes can run the engine dry, spin a bearing, and turn a $2,000 ring job into a $5,000 engine replacement. General Motors issued service updates and there has been related litigation over this engine family, but coverage was inconsistent, so many owners paid out of pocket.

The 1.5L turbo coolant intrusion (2018-2019)

The second generation traded the 2.4L for smaller turbocharged engines. The base 1.5L turbo developed a separate headache: coolant can seep into the cylinders, which fouls plugs, causes misfires, and in bad cases leads to internal damage. These years also drew complaints about transmission hesitation and a clunky stop-start system. If you see a misfire code, our P0300 random misfire guide walks through what to check first.

⚠️ Common buyer mistakes

Trusting a clean dashboard. The 2.4L can burn oil heavily with no check engine light. Always pull the dipstick and look for a low, dark, thin reading.
Skipping the cold-start watch. Ask to start the engine cold. A puff of blue smoke on startup is a classic oil-consumption tell on these engines.
Ignoring service history. An Equinox with documented PCV valve and piston ring work may actually be safer than a "clean" one that has never been touched. Repaired beats untested here.
Assuming all years are the same. A 2021 Equinox is a very different ownership story than a 2011. Do not let a low price on an early model tempt you without checking the engine.
Overpaying at the dealer for diagnosis. Before authorizing a $150 inspection, run the symptoms through our repair quote checker so you know what a fair price looks like.

🧮 How to decide what to buy

Use this simple framework when you are weighing an Equinox against its price tag.

Identify the engine first. 2.4L Ecotec means oil-consumption risk. The 1.5L turbo (2018-2019) means coolant-intrusion risk. The 1.6L diesel and 2.0L turbo are less affected but rarer.
Run an oil-consumption test. If you can, check the oil level, drive 1,000 miles, and check again. Any drop over a half quart is a warning.
Prefer 2020 and newer. These addressed the chronic problems and represent the safest used buys in the lineup.
Price in the fix. If you love a 2012, that is fine, but subtract $2,000 to $3,000 from your offer to cover a potential ring and PCV job.
Get a pre-purchase inspection. A $120 to $200 inspection on an early Equinox is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

Not sure what a symptom means on a car you already own? Start with our guide to checking oil consumption and go from there.

✔️ The safer Equinox years

2020 and newer are the years to target. The refreshed second generation from 2020 onward dropped the problematic early turbo configuration issues and tightened up oil control. The 2022 and 2023 model years in particular earn solid reliability marks and avoid the chronic quart-every-1,000-miles complaint that haunts the 2.4L cars. They are not perfect, but they are the ones least likely to surprise you with a four-figure engine bill.

If your budget forces you into an older year, a well-maintained 2015-2017 with documented oil-system work is a more defensible pick than a 2010-2013 with unknown history.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What are the worst years for the Chevy Equinox?

The most problematic Equinox years are 2010 through 2013, which suffer heavy oil consumption from the 2.4L Ecotec engine, and 2018 through 2019, where the 1.5L turbo engine developed coolant intrusion and oil-burning issues. The 2011 and 2018 model years tend to draw the most complaints.

Which Chevy Equinox engine burns oil?

The 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder used in 2010-2017 Equinox models is the worst offender. Worn piston rings and a faulty PCV system let many of these engines burn a quart of oil every 1,000 to 2,000 miles, often with no warning light until damage is done.

Are newer Chevy Equinox years more reliable?

Yes. The 2020 and newer Equinox addressed many earlier turbo and coolant problems, and 2022-2023 models are among the most dependable. They are not flawless, but they avoid the chronic oil consumption that defined the first two generations.

How much does it cost to fix Equinox oil consumption?

A full piston ring and PCV repair on the 2.4L engine typically runs $1,500 to $3,000. If the engine has been run low on oil and damaged, a replacement long block can push the total to $4,000 to $6,000 or more.

Is the 2018 Chevy Equinox a bad year?

The 2018 Equinox is one of the weaker years. Its 1.5L turbo engine is prone to coolant intrusion into the cylinders and oil consumption, and the year also drew complaints about transmission hesitation and the stop-start system. Many owners report problems before 80,000 miles.

📝 TL;DR

Avoid 2010-2013 Equinox models with the 2.4L Ecotec engine, the worst oil burners.
Be cautious with 2018-2019 1.5L turbo models due to coolant intrusion.
The 2.4L engine can lose a quart every 1,000-2,000 miles with no warning light.
Repairs run $1,500-$3,000, or $4,000-$6,000 if the engine was run dry.
2020 and newer, especially 2022-2023, are the safest used buys.

The Worst Years for the Chevy Equinox to Avoid