I bought a 2010 Equinox new. And the problems started almost immediately.

After several visits to the dealership for strange engine sounds, I was left on the side of the interstate with an overheated engine. It was towed to the dealership. The engine was blown, and thankfully, replaced under warranty.
I wish that was the end of the story. But now, some 60K miles later, the vehicle just stopped On a dark road with no shoulder, 2 small kids in the car. Then the electrical died- so no hazards. I was standing behind my vehicle with a flashlight app on my phone set to strobe to avoid being hit while we waited for help.
The verdict from the dealership? Engine is blown. Needs a new one. And chevy won't provide any support this time. They offered 4500 in trade after we put 4100 in it for a new engine. Uh, no thanks? We have been die hard chevy and Gm owners. But I can't stand by a company that doesn't stand by its product. At the time this happened, I was pricing Yukons. Not again. We have embarked on a Toyota experiment with the purchase of a Prius. If this goes well, I see a Sequoia in our future. Goodbye Chevy.

 

Sorry to hear about your horror story with Chevy. I have a few as well. If you look at Toyota or any other manufacturer you will also find similar horror stories.

 

True. But I don't hear may people raving about the reliability of many late model chevys, so I guess we will take our chances. 3 engines on a 2010? Routine maintenance on a 2010 vehicle should not be engine replacement when recommended maintenance has been performed.

 

i'm betting you had the v-6 engine not the inline 4?

 

Nope. Have the 4 cylinder.

 

They both seem to be equally terrible. I think most issues on both engines stem from VVT. A friend of mine recently had to have the 2.4L engine replaced in his 2011 Terrain.

Aside from having VVT, I can't figure out what's so different about the 2.4L that makes it so much worse than the non-VVT and discontinued 2.2L. The 2.2L was a great engine; especially after they addressed the timing chain tensioner and oiler in the early 2000s.

 

The direct injection maybe?

 

Good luck to you. I just traded my 2010 today for a Toyota. So thankful to be done!