Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle's engine started making a loud humming sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into parking and observed what appeared to be steam issuing from under the hood. The contact raised the hood and saw that the engine compartment was on fire. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished with chemical fire extinguishers. The police were also on the scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed the engine revved, a burning odor was detected with the check engine warning light illuminating The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys where the failure was diagnosed as an oil leak and a smell of burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as an oil leak in the transfer case. The mechanic stated that the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold needed replacement. The catalytic converter and exhaust manifold were replaced. The contact stated that she picked up the vehicle however, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who stated that there was an excessive oil consumption failure and the fuel intake sensor needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, she heard loud knocking sounds coming from the engine and the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter was able to pull into the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was towed to her daughter's friend residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The dealer informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under recall because the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact also contacted a second dealer - Mike Bell Chevrolet (1200 N. Park St, Carrollton, GA 30117) for the repair. The dealer confirmed the information of the first dealer. …
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly and jerked violently. The contact stated that the failure recurred consistently while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and the contact was informed that fuel was not reaching the engine. The dealer determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that upon towing the vehicle back to the dealer, the dealer replaced the fuel pump. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal loud sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the Chevrolet mobile app indicated that the oil level was at 50 percent. The contact coasted the vehicle to a nearby Walmart. The Walmart attendant checked the oil level and concluded that there was no oil in the oil pan. The Walmart attended added two quarts of oil to the engine however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to Midas where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that, due to the excessive mileage, the repair did not qualify to be covered under warranty. …
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a run-on. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was cracked, causing fuel to leak onto the engine compartment. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. Additionally, when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of engine oil. Additionally, there were rattling sounds coming from the vehicle, which alerted the contact that the engine oil level was low. The contact added a quart to two quarts of oil to the engine. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was a high-performance vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the tire pressure monitor warning light and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the thermostat, and head gasket needed to be replaced. Additionally, there were other mechanical issues with the front and rear brake pads, rotors, calipers, drive belt, and the lower control arms. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started making a loud tapping sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Engine complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 231 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, 34% of the model year's 680 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.