2015 Chevrolet Equinox · symptom sheet
Timing chain or cam phaser rattles
- 46owner reports
- 90,000median miles
- $8,300median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
231 of the 680 complaints on this car are about the engine. 46 of those describe timing chain failure.
Tick what matches of 46 reports
Timing chain failure on other Equinox years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is about a rattle from the front of the engine, often at its worst right after a cold start, that dealers trace to the timing chain or the cam phasers. It's heavily concentrated: the 2017 to 2019 Ford F-150 accounts for about four in ten of these complaints across the site.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the timing chain (42 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2015 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
7 of the 46 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $9,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 77,500 and 100,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners.
What owners wrote
“The timing chain went down i only have 95000 miles on it is heard these timing chains went down on. Certain equinox i feel this should of been on a recall since chevy knew this was happening 3 000 dollars later”
Filed Jul 14, 2025 · 95,000 miles
“Timing chain broke at 150,000 miles. I have only had the car for a year and a half. This is a known issue for the 2015 Equinox and the warranty company doesn't want to cover it, even though I have a 2 year 24,000 warranty on it. I have only driven 19,000 miles so I'm clearly within the window.”
Filed Apr 15, 2024 · 150,000 miles
“My car received an oil changed recently and then shortly after my engine went completely out due to having no oil. My timing chain stretched out and broke resulting in no compression to my engine. The light didnât even come on to indicate that there was an issue until after the car completely broke down.”
Filed Feb 19, 2024
“This vehicle kept throwing a code for timing chain. After further investigation through different garages and money spent, the equinox needs a new engine.”
Filed Jan 24, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 46 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Windshield wipers stop working 243 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 178 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 98 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 79 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 64 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 58 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 38 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports