The four-cylinder behind the Equinox and Malibu of the early-to-mid 2010s — an engine whose oil consumption problem became well known enough to prompt extended warranty coverage from the manufacturer.
Piston ring design on this engine proved prone to excessive oil consumption in a significant number of cases — common enough that it became one of the most discussed issues in this engine's history and prompted extended warranty coverage on affected model years in several markets. Not every example is affected, but the issue is widespread enough that it should be the first thing any buyer checks, ahead of anything else on this page.
Not a guarantee, but a pattern seen consistently across owner forums and independent-garage reporting.
Oil consumption symptoms, where present, often begin within this range — well below what most buyers would consider high mileage.
Affected examples may require oil top-ups between scheduled changes if not addressed.
Unaffected examples, or ones that received a factory engine repair under warranty, commonly continue without further issue.
This is the defining check on this engine: ask for documented oil consumption history, and if possible verify the level yourself rather than relying solely on the seller's account.
Check whether any manufacturer extended warranty or goodwill repair was ever performed for this specific issue — documentation of a completed repair is a genuine plus.
A blue-tinted exhaust smoke on startup or under load is a visible sign of oil consumption worth watching for during a test drive.
Model-specific pages, with notes on how it behaves in that particular car.