YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Equinox Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 195 engine complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, 71% of its 273 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 85,200 miles, with 3 crashes and 3 fires reported. No related recalls are listed in this data.

Engine complaints
195
71% of 273
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
85,200 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report oil leaking out while driving, sometimes accompanied by the check engine light and a jerking or lurching sensation.
  • Several owners describe sudden loss of power on the highway, with messages for reduced engine power, stabilitrak, and traction control appearing together.
  • Some vehicles reportedly caught fire, including one case where the vehicle had been sitting unused for weeks before catching fire shortly after being started.
  • Owners describe a rear main seal blowing and leaking oil, with the problem returning after dealer repairs.
  • One owner reported a loud bang followed by rattling, smoke, and oil pouring from underneath the car while driving on the highway.
  • Some owners noted repeated dealer visits for persistent oil leaks that were reported as fixed but reappeared over multiple oil changes.

When 2017 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 10, 2017, latest Jul 31, 2026.

2017 Chevrolet Equinox engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter262017 Q22020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
195 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (26).

Engine recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Equinox model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010318 (41%)
  2. 2011443 (57%)
  3. 2012372 (54%)
  4. 2013426 (57%)
  5. 2014243 (44%)
  6. 2015239 (35%)
  7. 2016214 (54%)
  8. 2017195 (71%)
  9. 2018104 (25%)
  10. 2019111 (37%)
  11. 2020107 (35%)
  12. 202118 (19%)
  13. 202229 (17%)
  14. 202317 (18%)
  15. 202419 (24%)
  16. 202531 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA lists 195 engine complaints for the 2017 Equinox, which makes up 71% of all 273 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2017 Equinox is 85,200 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox engine?
This data shows no related recalls listed for the 2017 Equinox engine complaints.
Did the 2017 Equinox engine problems cause fires or crashes?
NHTSA data for this model year's engine complaints includes 3 fires, 3 crashes, and 6 injuries.
Is the 2017 Equinox worse for engine complaints than other years?
Yes, relative to other Equinox model years in this dataset, 2017's 71% share of complaints tied to the engine is the highest listed, compared to shares like 25% in 2018 and 35% in 2020.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.