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What 270 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (270)Crash / fire / injury (23)Engine (178)Transmission & drivetrain (32)Fuel system (20)Airbags (19)Electrical system (17)Engine & cooling (16)Visibility & wipers (11)Brakes (8)Speed control (6)Body & structure (5)

5 of 270 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Nov 1, 2025EngineCrash

Driving on the highway, nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. Within a 30 second span of time, the car started making a horrible rattling sound, followed by a loud snap sound, then smoke, then I was off the road with oil pouring out of the bottom of the car. Towed home, car was dropped off at the Chevrolet dealership mechanic. As far as I can tell, it fits the description that others have had with this car, namely that some apparent oil consumption issue that never came up on warning lamps resulted in the catastrophic engine failure that nearly launched me off the highway. The vehicle is currently awaiting diagnostics from the mechanic, and I have yet to hear back from them over a week later. There were no warning lights of any sort, and the oil life meter said there was 38% oil life remaining before it would need an oil change. If I had known about this issue before I bought the car, there is a 0% chance I would have bought it.

NHTSA ODI 11696967

Oct 24, 2024Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

Driving down a 4 lane busy highway. Going 65 when the car made a pop sound. We pulled over. Car caught on fire 5 mins after we were out

NHTSA ODI 11621738

Jan 5, 2024EngineFuel systemFire

On 12/31/23, my 2017 Chevrolet Equinox burst into flames in the driveway. I had not driven it in three weeks due to a medical problem, so my husband cranked up the car and idled briefly to keep the battery operational. About 15 minutes after he exited the SUV, it caught fire. I have seen recalls for other model years that describe the Equinox's excessive oil consumption, which can lead to engine fires and other hazards. Although there is no recall on the 2017 model, those complaints are consistent with my experience. The insurance company has declared the car a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11563668

Jan 8, 2023EngineFuel system5 injuries

The exhaust is coming into the cab. Was told that Chevy is allowed to kill people slowly with carbon dioxide poisoning. Also was told NHTSA is paid by Chevy to keep the information of the exhaust issue under wrapps. I understand killing babies is no crime in the liberal world but I am not an ugly liberal.

NHTSA ODI 11500693

Mar 1, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AS THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONE DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ADDING OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK UNCONTROLLABLY AND A BLUEISH SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EAST HILLS CHEVROLET OF ROSLYN( 1036 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576) WHERE AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT HER ENGINE SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.

NHTSA ODI 11398477

Working with the data? Download all 270 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 13, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Chevrolet Equinox verdict →