Special Coverage Adjustment – Excessive Engine Oil Consumption – 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain

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NHTSA ID Number: 10118906

Manufacturer Communication Number: GCUS-9-4006

 

Summary

16118 – Special Coverage. Vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine, may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: “Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine”. If this condition occurs in the stated terms, dealers will replace pistons and piston rings.

 

Parts

1 Piston Kit 12683595
1 Gasket Kit, Cylinder Head 12637166 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Gasket Kit, Camshaft Cover 12609291 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Seal, Chain Package, Timing 12680750 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Chain Assembly, W/Pmp And Balr Shf 12635427 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Tensioner Asm – W/Pmp & Balr Shf Chain 12649233 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Gasket, Engine Front Cover 24435052 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Seal, Fuel Pump Housing (Oring) 12602379 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Pipe Asm, Fuel Feed Inter 12608374 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Seal, Cr/Shf Front Oil 12584041
1 Bolt Asm, Hx Hd W/Con Spr Washer 11589123
2 Bolt, Cm/Shf Posn Actr 11588844 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Filter, Oil 12605566
5 Oil, Engine, AC Delco DEXOS1 5W30 19293000 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
8 Screw Schraube (Connecting Rod) 90537293
2 Sealant, RTV – (US) 88864346 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
Sealant, RTV – ((Canada) 88861418
1 Guide, Balr Chain 90537336 Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain | small light
1 Coolant, Engine, Dexcool Antifreeze – (US) 12346290
Coolant, Engine, Dexcool Antifreeze – (Canada) 10953464

 


2 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2012
GMC TERRAIN 2012

 


 


16118
April 2017

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10118906

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10118906-9999.pdf

To View or Download this Document Click Here


 

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28 thoughts on “Special Coverage Adjustment – Excessive Engine Oil Consumption – 2012 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain”

  1. 58,000 miles and my dealer has ordered the replacement parts to do the job in ten days. I sure hope it turns out better than people here have reported as I ran my car out of oil twice before I realized there was a problem which I’m hoping won’t cause further problems after rings/pistons replaced. I’m the original owner and never received a letter either. I may trade mine in as soon as it’s fixed, just don’t want to risk being stuck with a problem car. I don’t have time for that.

    Reply
  2. we have a 2012 equinox with 59,000 miles on it started using oil 1 1/2quarts from 400 miles of driving we were told them would fix it free under gm warranty …we have to g=bring it in soon not looking forward to any repairs as a result of this engine rebuild after that if i do do kool chevy in grand rapids better fix them for free

    Reply
  3. My 2012 Terrain the timing chain tensioner bolt backed out at 87000 miles (less than 6 weeks after i purchased the car). Took it to the dealership to have it checked out because it was covered under the powertrain. The mechanic dug deep enough to find that there were metal shavings in my oil pan and recommended a full engine replacement. The dealership did the full engine replacement at no cost to me. Fast forward exactly 18 months and 47,000 miles – the replacement engine threw a rod. Called the dealership that fixed my car to find out that they won’t cover any part of the replacement because the engine was replaced under the original powertrain warranty. I was told that, had i paid ANY amount (even $20) on the original warranty work (nearly $6000), the motor would be covered for 3 years / 100,000 miles. Talk about frustrated. My car stalled on me in the middle of the highway traveling about 60 MPH on September 12, 2018 on my way to work. It is now October 25, 2018 and i have a brand new engine (#3) in a 7 year old car and they cannot find why it is stalling when they stop the car. The engine is throwing no codes and the mechanic has checked everything he knows to check. I’m paying a car note, a loan for the replacement engine, and about 4 times more than what i would in gas getting back and forth to work in a 23 year old pickup truck. I am furious and will NEVER buy another GM product – not even a key chain.

    Reply
  4. We were spending 1 to 2 quarts of oil per week of driving and had been complaining to EZ Auto of Dubuque multiple times regarding the oil consumption of this Equinox. EZ Auto kept telling us to just watched how many miles in between a quart being added. They continue to brush us off until we were 10,000 miles over the recall limit and then told us we need a whole new engine when the engine failed on my way home. They told us we have to pay for a whole new motor cuz it’s no longer under warranty even though we were complaining the whole time while under warranty. We had to get a loan on top of the car loan just to get another engine put in. I am extremely pissed that they brushed us off until we were not covered under warranty and then tell us we need a new engine and I will never buy a car from them again after this. I am filing a complaint through Chevy recalls as well regarding EZ Auto on this matter.

    Reply
  5. I am so tired of dealing with this problem. It has been on going since June 3017. I did everything they told me, finally new piston and rings. Well with in a month back to using oil ( three qts low they had to come and get it from my driveway and now smoke really!! Did another oil ( jump thru hoops). Apirl 1 new manifold told this will fix it. Well no oil low and black, smoking bad. Now dealership says Chevrolet will not fix. They want 800 to crack open the engine again. I have contacted Chevrolet who knows what from there. It is time for them to own up on the problem and fix it. My husband was quick to tell them we did not want to be there and we don’t want anything from them but to fix their mistake. One more thing there are so many law suits on yhe Equinox.

    Reply
  6. Just had this done on my 2012 equinox and still had to pay $400 for a cracked manifold, which the technician told me was more than likely caused by the oil consumption. I got my car back and 2 days later check engine light comes on and technician is telling me it is the catalytic converter, also probably caused by the oil consumption issues – $1300. I refuse to pay. I will fight GM and if they refuse I will have my mechanic replace and then write up the cause and continue to fight GM for a refund. I tried getting them to do the work at 70,000 miles and they refused until finally GM was forced to offer this bare minimum fix…. and they are still making money in service for fixing the other problems this issue caused?!?!?! If they don’t cover the fix, I and no one in my family will ever buy another GM product. If they fix and cover then fine… good customer service. It is an opportunity for them to own up and retain a customer or lose one for life.

    Reply
    • Major Oil Consumption: NL: 1 year ago pistons and rings replaced. Since then, while blue smoke out tailpipe, engine light on and off, and engine shut off x2 going down over hill. Back and forth to dealership – no issues found. 1 month ago, to dealership with reduced engine power. No issue. Couple days later, to dealership, reduced engine power. Fuel pump and sensor replaced. I shouldn’t have paid anything – related to ongoing issues. Few days later, oil leak and engine light. Brought back in – piston and ring replaced again. Told they couldn’t provide any documentation – will send out in mail. Asked about oil leak – “everything is fixed”. Started vehicle – abs light and check stabiltrak system light on. Walked into dealership – told them. They said “lights definitely on when vehicle was brought it. I said definitely not and showed them a picture of the dash that I had when I brought the vehicle in. They said “oh”, and replaced another sensor at no charge. Couple of days later major oil leak – back to dealership. Replaced engine seal. Said the one they put in several days ago was faulty. They never told us they put one in. Again – no documentation – send it out in the mail in the next couple of days. Followed up with GMC Canada several times – white blue smoke coming from the tailpipe every cold start. No response from Ambassador. Messages left with dealership. Where are the invoices for the last 3 fixes? Now we have engine coolant down about 1 inch in the reservoir… who looks out to customer at GMC Canada? Engine needs to be replaced, not piecemeal job.

      Reply
    • Major Oil Consumption: NL: 1 year ago pistons and rings replaced. Since then, while blue smoke out tailpipe, engine light on and off, and engine shut off x2 going down over hill. Back and forth to dealership – no issues found. 1 month ago, to dealership with reduced engine power. No issue. Couple days later, to dealership, reduced engine power. Fuel pump and sensor replaced. I shouldn’t have paid anything – related to ongoing issues. Few days later, oil leak and engine light. Brought back in – piston and ring replaced again. Told they couldn’t provide any documentation – will send out in mail. Asked about oil leak – “everything is fixed”. Started vehicle – abs light and check stabiltrak system light on. Walked into dealership – told them. They said “lights definitely on when vehicle was brought it. I said definitely not and showed them a picture of the dash that I had when I brought the vehicle in. They said “oh”, and replaced another sensor at no charge. Couple of days later major oil leak – back to dealership. Replaced engine seal. Said the one they put in several days ago was faulty. They never told us they put one in. Again – no documentation – send it out in the mail in the next couple of days. Followed up with GMC Canada several times – white blue smoke coming from the tailpipe every cold start. No response from Ambassador. Messages left with dealership. Where is the documentation, now we have engine coolant down about 1 inch in the reservoir… who looks out to customer at GMC Canada

      Reply
  7. I had similar problems with my used Terrain-Birchwood Chev. in Winnipeg took care of the problem with no charge to me.Their customer service is Best I have never problem with the service-Kudo’s to the Chipman group-we have always had a great experience dealing with all their staff..Keep on Truckin.

    Reply
  8. We have a 2012 Terrain that we have loved but lately we have been putting oil in frequently between oil changes like every 2 weeks we add 2 qts. We talked to our mechanic and he said we should contact GM because it is a known issue. We did not get a letter from GM as is stated in the process they outline so I am afraid they will say our car is not part of the Special Coverage Adjustment when clearly it has the same issue.

    Reply
  9. We have had a 2012 Terrain since 2014 and have loved it but suddenly, it is using oil – no light comes on – but the car performs oddly and when we took it to our mechanic, he told us the oil was low – he put in 2 qts of oil and when we went to get the oil changed the next time it was showing low oil ‘life’ he said he could only get 2 qts of oil out so we should check with GM because it was a known issue. I never received a letter from GM and we have 100,000 miles on the car so I am worried that they will give me grief because they did not notify us and our car must not be one of the ones affected but clearly it is.

    Reply
  10. This is the reason I’m buying a Toyota next. My 2011 terrain burns oil, and it ruined my catalytic converter. I now have a check engine light. This car burns more oil than my 93 Jeep. Is GMC going to do anything? Nope. They just want my money and are not willing to help a customer out. A customer who thought they we’re buying a reliable vehicle. You suck GMC, feel free to email me with your excuses mikeg412@yahoo.com

    Reply
  11. I have a 12 GMC Terrain it’s using oil dealer did consumption test it failed. So they are going to do the Recall I don’t like they are going to put new piston ring in old cylinder with out honing the cylinders that ain’t the right way to do it. Any mechanic will tell you that! i Have rebuilt a few engine in my time. Sounds shady to me!

    Reply
    • That’s the best way “without” honing the cylinder walls. You can never get all the grit from the hone stones off the cylinder walls without a good wash out of the walls (like a real rebuild factory style) the rings will seat just fine and without that sandpaper effect… Built bunch of engines and I was afraid they WOULD hone the cylinder walls.

      Reply
  12. When is this extended time period going to cover 2013 GMC models with the same engine? Ours did the same thing at 87k and we had to pay for the repairs.

    Reply
    • Same here! I am having the same issues in my 2013 GMC Terrain. Now it will not start. Calling the dealership tomorrow and probably contacting GMC as well. I cannot afford to put money into this thing….not even 80,000 miles on it!!! I have only had it a little over 2 years. Shannonbearns@gmail.com

      Reply
  13. My engine blew at 80,000 miles due to this, it was sent to a GM Dealership and engine was replaced. But I still cannot make it through the normal time for an oil change. I’m assuming this will happen again since they just replaced it with the same engine. From what I understand the 7 year warranty is on the engine. Since I got a new engine in December is that engine covered for another 7 years?

    Reply
  14. My issue is that my equinox is over on mileage. However I brought this issue up before it was over the 120000. It was a problem before my timing chain broke around 70000.

    Reply
  15. My local dealer told me I’d have to come in and get an oil change.
    Then come back for another oil change after 1000 miles. And the process could take several months to evaluate my oil consumption. Here’s the kicker, I’M TO PAY for all these oil changes at $49 a pop. And they say, that if it does need the repairs (which it does) I’m still out my money for 2 or 3 1000mile oil changes, no GM reimbursement!
    The letter clearly states that if this condition exists there may be an audible rattle. My car sounds like I’m driving a SEWING MACHINE! I’ve been complaining about it for YEARS. I even have paperwork stating its just the normal sound for an Equinox.
    Never have I ever been so dissatisfied with a vehicle as much as I have been with this EQUINOX.

    Reply
  16. So I complained and opened a report of this on April 5, 2017. Now I’m screwed because I’m over mileage by 3000 miles. I have record of the issue TONS of rexeipts of work by a THIRD PARTT MECHANIC. Now GM is pushing me around saying I’m outside of the special coverage. I wasnt the first 2 TIMES I called in January then in April all of a sudden to get this letter May 21.

    Reply
    • Have you had any luck with them? I’m in the same boat. I notified them of this issue 2 years ago under 100,000 miles. Now that I have the letter, I’m over 120,000. Wondering if it’s worth fighting the local dealership or hiring a lawyer.

      Reply
      • I got the 2011 Terrain as a certified used for the fuel economy and because it was relatively new. (<30,000 miles when I bought it.) I was in college at the time and the reported fuel economy more than made up for the difference in payment from my last vehicle. I soon realized that the fuel economy wasn't what they reported. With perfect driving, maximizing the miles per gallon, I could get it up to an average of 29-30mpg on the highway. With any level of normal driving it quickly dropped to 24-26mpg, if not lower. But this was still about double what my last vehicle got, so ok

        I do most of my own basic maintenance, and I don't use cheap products. For oil changes, I use full synthetic with a extra guard filter and change the oil between 3,500-5000 miles, depending on my schedule. If I ever hit 5,000 miles, and don't have time, that's when I take it in to whatever quick lube shop will get it done the soonest afternoon I have available, usually to Wal-mart and I get groceries while I wait. I haven't had any major problems with my vehicles since I started consistently taking care of them myself, about 10 years now.

        My timing guides broke at only 79,000 miles! I was at just over 5,000 miles since my last oil change and have the paperwork to prove it since I have been particularly busy lately. The dealership told me that there was practically no oil left in my engine. Then the dealership told me the cheapest repair was to replace the engine, and that corporate would not cover my fix because they could not do an oil consumption test now that the engine won't run. It's going to cost me $7,000 to get my vehicle fixed, which I must have to commute to work 30 miles away. I don't have $7,000 and I may lose my job if I can't find the money or a way to finance it by the time they get it fixed this week.

        This is unacceptable. I'm pissed. If you are too, come take it to them with me! I created a facebook group which you can find here below. Please come tell your story and then take post a link on twitter @GMC with the hashtag #GreataMericanCompanyNoLonger

        https://www.facebook.com/groups/174877126561662/

        And repost that link to their twitter feed and on their facebook page every day that you are paying for their lemon of an engine.

        All stories posted will be offered to any legal team willing to take up this suit as well.

        Reply

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