[mgarblik]

2 comments about original post. First, having a bunch of recalls on a car is a PIA, no argument. But keep in mind, without the recall for that alternator you mentioned, you may not have a house to live in if it burned down. So recalls are actually a good thing to get the cars fixed if there is a defect. Would be better to build them right the first time, but as complex as new vehicles are, that's not likely. Second the Equinox. I have not seen any pattern failures on those vehicles.
Just the normal Ecotec issues that have been around since day 1. Oil changes at 50% of oil life remaining will double or even triple the life of those engines. Skip a few oil changes or drag them out and piston ring sticking and excessive oil consumption will happen. Timing chain, guide, and tensioner noise and failures also are very common if poorly maintained. If you buy any GM Ecotec engine vehicle, I would only buy one with a complete service history.

[jerry455]

Having a service history is the best way to know how vehicle was cared for. I agree about Ecotec timing chain issues. Synthetic oil and more frequent oil changes are the best recommendation. We have had a number of Equinox's over the years and they have worked out very well.

[64speed]

Well the 1800 started dropping fast when they saw that the clear coat was peeling around the sunroof which I did not know because honestly I had never looked at the roof. Second I knew it needed tires but...... I didnt think it was imminent that they be replaced but they insisted that they were. So I ended up trading and getting 700 back plus 5 oil changes and lifetime regular car washes. It has almost a 100,000 miles on it which is about 15000 more than the Dodge but like I told my wife there are no guarantees with any of this crap. My new 2008 Sierra cut off on the interstate on the way home from the dealer, recall they hadnt fixed. I told her that the Dodge could blow up, the Chevy could blow up or both could run 362,000 like my Yukon. I like that the Equinoxs touch screen is not as complicated as the Dodges and has redundant controls even if the screen goes out. Plus I looked and the Chevy replacements are much cheaper by like 1500 bucks. That Dodge touch screen basically controlled everything with only vague manual controls. If the Dodge broke down and I had to fix it I would have to push my chips forward and work on something I dont understand because I have no experience with Dodge. I have had two ecotecs before. I will change the oil earlier than needed and keep my fingers crossed.