2010–2017 Chevrolet Equinox: Excessive oil consumption (2.4L Ecotec)
Likely causes, ranked
- Worn/stuck piston rings (piston and ring replacement)$5,000–$5,000Shop
- Remanufactured engine instead of a ring job$4,800–$6,800Shop
- PCV system problems adding to consumptionDIY
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $4,800–$6,800DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: The engine uses oil between changes, sometimes a quart every 1,000 miles or more. You may get low-oil warnings and, if it runs low, timing chain noise or engine damage.
Likely causes
- Piston rings. GM offered special coverage on the 2.4L Equinox and Terrain. If an oil-consumption test showed too much oil use, it replaced the pistons and rings.
- Engine swap. Some owners choose a remanufactured engine instead. TerrainForum owners report about $4,800–$6,800.
- PCV. A clogged PCV system can add to the problem.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| Piston/ring job (out of pocket) | About $5,000 |
| Remanufactured engine | About $4,800–$6,800 |
DIY or shop?
- DIY: keep an eye on the oil and check the PCV.
- Shop: the consumption test and any engine work.
Useful steps
- Check the oil at every fill-up and keep a log.
- Ask a GM dealer whether your VIN had special coverage.
- Low oil on this engine also wears out the timing chain, so don't let it run low.
Vehicle focus: 2010–2017 Chevrolet Equinox.
Safety / mechanic note
Running low on oil can lead to sudden engine failure. Check the level often.
Recalls & service bulletins
Technical service bulletins
- N192291100 GM special coverage for excessive oil consumption, 2013 Equinox/Terrain 2.4L (RPO LEA): oil test, then piston/ring repair if it qualifies. Details
NHTSA complaints: 867 keyword-matched complaints for Chevrolet Equinox 2010–2017 (of 4,904 total complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.