The 2022 Equinox uses GM's third-generation compact crossover platform with the 1.5L turbo as the volume engine. While relatively new, the 1.5T has inherited piston ring and oil consumption issues from prior years that can escalate catastrophically if ignored.
1.5L Turbo Piston Ring Failure / Excessive Oil Consumption
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Burning through a quart or more of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Check engine light with low oil pressure codes, Engine knock or ticking that worsens with mileage
Fix: GM's 1.5T has defective piston ring designs that allow blow-by and oil burning. Early intervention might get away with ring replacement (12-16 hrs labor), but most cases by the time owners notice require full short block replacement or engine rebuild. Dealerships often fight warranty coverage claiming 'owner neglect.'
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
9-Speed Automatic Transmission Shudder and Harsh Shifts
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration or shudder during low-speed acceleration (15-35 mph), Hard downshifts or hesitation when coming to a stop, Clunking sensation between 2nd and 3rd gear, Transmission slipping out of gear momentarily
Fix: The 9T45/9T50 transmission has torque converter clutch shudder issues and adaptive learning problems. GM's first attempt is usually a fluid flush and software update (2 hrs), but persistent cases need torque converter replacement (8-10 hrs). Transmission oil cooler lines also fail, causing fluid cross-contamination with coolant.
Estimated cost: $800-3,200
Fuel Pump Control Module Failure (Recall 22V-669)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Vehicle stalls while driving without warning, No-start condition with crank but no fuel delivery, Intermittent rough idle and hesitation, Check engine light with fuel pump circuit codes
Fix: NHTSA recall for fuel pump control module that can fail and cause sudden stalling. Dealers replace the module under recall. If you're buying used, verify this recall was completed—it's a safety hazard. Non-recall replacement is 1.5-2 hrs labor but parts availability has been inconsistent.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $450-650
LATCH System Anchor Bolt Breakage (Recall 22V-527)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Clicking or loose feeling when installing child seat, LATCH anchor visibly separated from seat frame, Metal-on-metal rattling from rear seat area
Fix: Second-row LATCH anchors can detach from seat frame due to improperly heat-treated bolts. This is a recall—dealer replaces anchor assemblies. Critical if you're transporting kids. Check recall completion status before purchase.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall)
Transmission Mount Collapse
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive engine rocking during acceleration, Vibration through the cabin at idle, Visible sagging or torn rubber on passenger side mount
Fix: The passenger-side transmission mount (torque strut) fails prematurely due to undersized rubber isolators. Replacement is straightforward—1.5-2 hrs labor. This is a wear item but shouldn't need replacement this early. OEM parts fail at the same rate, so consider aftermarket polyurethane.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Actuator Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from engine bay on cold start that disappears when warm, Loss of power and boost under acceleration, Check engine light with overboost or underboost codes, Hissing or fluttering sounds during throttle changes
Fix: The 1.5T's wastegate actuator sticks or the wastegate flapper develops play. Sometimes cleaning and lubrication works (1 hr), but most need turbo replacement or rebuild (6-8 hrs labor). Carbon buildup accelerates this—oil consumption makes it worse.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously on the 1.5T—catch consumption early before rings score the cylinders
Verify both fuel pump and LATCH recalls completed before purchase (check GM's owner site with VIN)
Use Top Tier fuel and consider catch-can installation if keeping long-term—helps with carbon buildup on direct-injection turbo engines
Change transmission fluid at 50k with genuine Dexron ULV—it's not lifetime fluid despite what GM claims
Avoid the 1.5T unless you can verify meticulous oil-level monitoring history and completed recalls—catastrophic engine failure risk is too high for a vehicle this new; 2.0T models are somewhat better but rare.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: H6 group also compatible; AGM required for stop-start system
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Every control module on the 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Engine compartment, driver side firewall, mounted to bracket below brake master cylinder
🔧 GDS2 + GM SPS2 or J2534 + ACDelco TDS
⚠️ VIN lock and security gateway require GM subscription or advanced aftermarket with OEM gateway access. 1.5L turbo and 2.0L turbo use different part numbers but same location.
📍 Behind instrument panel, accessible after removing cluster trim bezel and four retaining screws
🔧 GDS2 + GM SPS2
⚠️ VIN and mileage programming mandatory. Mileage transfer requires proof of ownership and GM authorization.
Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Under vehicle, forward of fuel tank, mounted to underbody frame rail
🔧 GDS2 or Autel (auto-relearn on key-on)
⚠️ PWM fuel pump driver. Auto-relearn on ignition cycle; no formal programming typically required.
Seat Control Module (SCM)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Under driver and passenger seats (power/heated/ventilated seats)
🔧 Auto-relearn or Autel
⚠️ Memory seat calibration required; typically auto-relearns
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.6 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.1 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with rear liftgate handle assembly, center of liftgate
🔧 None (auto-detect)
⚠️ Standard equipment. Camera auto-detected by ICM; no programming typically required.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372310.
SEATS · 22V724000
2022-09-29
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
Consequence: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222377890.
SEATS · 22V359000
2022-05-19
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
Consequence: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212356050.
TIRES · 21V612000
2021-08-05
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Consequence: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.