Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon arriving to the destination, the contact became aware that there was an excessive amount of engine oil pooling underneath the engine compartment of the vehicle, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear main seal. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Several transmission components and functions have failed. This has caused dangerous lurching while gears change and the loss of the ability to move forward, all while driving and without warning. The transfer case also failed, resulting in similar lurching, as well as bouncing and grinding. This problem has been attempted to be repaired multiple times with the dealership returning the car each time claiming that it was repaired, inspected and found good. In all cases the same problem reoccurred within 50 miles of driving. There were no warning lights or symptoms leading up to the failure which would worsen as time went on. The lurching generally occurred when reducing speed, which would unexpectedly bounce the vehicle towards other slowing vehicles, greatly increasing the likelihood of rear ending another driver. …
I am a recent 2017 Equinox owner with a 2.4L Ecotec engine. I purchased the vehicle 9 months ago and have put less than 30k miles on it since owning the vehicle. On Tuesday, 1.31.23, while driving to a work appointment on a busy interstate my equinox seemed to have a power failure and started making a noise. I proceeded to move toward the shoulder of the highway and before I could get to the shoulder, a warning light came on that there was low oil pressure, to stop the vehicle. Before I could safely get all the way to the shoulder, the car shut off and the engine ceased. From the time my vehicle started making noises, to it ceasing on that 4-degree weather day, was bout 6 seconds. The mechanic states the engine is ceased and that it would be about 10k for a remanufactured engine installed. …
I am writing to address a critical issue involving my 2017 Chevrolet vehicle, which poses a significant safety hazard. I purchased this car from Faulkner Subaru in Bethlehem in 2022. The specific component failure relates to the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, particularly the lack of a traditional PCV valve and the presence of a fixed orifice vacuum port in the intake manifold. This component is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself, my passengers, and other road users was compromised due to the sudden and significant oil leakage caused by the malfunctioning PCV system. This not only endangered our safety but also posed a serious risk to others on the road. While the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, it is a well-documented issue with ongoing litigation against Chevrolet. …
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. …
I arrived at my workplace. Was there for about an hour, I then went outside to grab something from my vehicle and noticed that I was leaking oil. After further inspection, I realized that I no longer had oil in my vehicle. I had it towed to my service station. After looking at it they called me and said that the PCV had gotten clogged with ice, therefore causing pressure buildup and blowing out the rear main seal. There were no warning lights whatsoever of this problem. I am just happy that I wasn't on the highway or long drive, because this would have left me stranded or worse causing an accident. From doing research online, this seems to be an issue that GM is aware of and refuses to make right. They had a recall for this exact issue for model years 2010-2014 but now are refusing to issue one for later years, even though the same engine style and PCV placement are the same. …
The rear main seal on the vehicle broke and dumped oil onto the road. The vehicle instantly stopped being able to accelerate, but no engine lights came on. My safety was put at risk as I was on a main county road in heavy traffic. Luckily, I was able to pull into a parking lot, but had it happened five minutes later, I would have been stranded on the side of the interstate. Prior to this incident, my vehicle has been in near mint condition and has regularly been serviced for upkeep. At the time of the repair, there were other cars of the same model with this issue in the repair shop. It left me without a vehicle for five days, and cost just south of $1,300. For a vehicle of this age, milage, and condition to have this kind of mechanical error is not acceptable, especially knowing it is a common issue with this model. …
Oxygen sensor, catalytic system efficiency below threshold bank,o2 circuit low voltage,accelerator pedal position sensor 1-2 not plausible, invalid data received from engine control module, vvt timing solenoid, engine vvt timing solenoid, timing shaft bank 1, exhaust camshaft, intake performance camshaft up and down shift switch circuit left front wheel sensor circuit I have had to replace all this on my vehicle nothing was covered under extended warranty I bought car from drive time wanted to return it when they wouldn't replace when shield mad me look for estimate and then told me I drove over 400miles and would take it back Bridgecrest financed me and car been in and out of shop since I got it also had to replace some but my gas peddle I still owe on this vehicle they wanted 20k still owe like 14k higher robbery I have contacted BBB this is fraud if you ask me also had to replace …
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.
My 2017 equinox which I purchased at this dealership starting burning excessive oil and has bad piston rings, they quoted me a $9500 for engine... I had those issues at 97500 miles and the dealership failed to properly inspect and fix the rings even though this motor was known for these issues. The failed piston rings should have been fixed when my vehicle was covered under warranty at approx 97,500 miles! My equinox has approx 100,600 miles on it currently and has sat for 1.5 months. So 600 miles past the warranty and now it needs a new engine? It needs a new engine because the service department knowingly failed to thoroughly fix my car when I had it in at 97,500 miles.
Transmission complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, 12% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Equinox transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. 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 2017 Chevrolet Equinox transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles.
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.