Some of the top reported 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems are related to defective Pistons, problems with carbon buildup, and malfunction due to some oil leak.
In 2013, Chevy introduced the 2.0 Turbo engine allowing customers to achieve respective power, solid fuel efficiency, and great vehicle handling.
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While many customers rushed to purchase the 2018 GM with the 2.0 Turbo engine, customers immediately discovered major issues in this engine. Some of these issues are specifically related to this model year, while others are a general observation of any 2.0 Turbo engine in other vehicles.
As a current owner of a 2018 GM vehicle, you need to be aware of what type of problems you might face during the lifetime of your vehicle. Also, you can determine when is the right time to keep this vehicle versus selling it to Cash Cars Buyer.
On the other hand, if you are shopping for a used 2018 GM vehicle and are interested in the 2.0 Turbo engine, it is also important for you to know what type of problems you might face before making your final decision.
This article provides you with a detailed summary of our in-depth review of all reported complaints about the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems.
2018 GM 2.0 Turbo Engine Overview
Chevy introduced the 2.0 Turbo engine back in 2013 when they released the Cadillac ATS; they also use the engine in a handful of other models, including the Chevrolets Malibu, the 2.0 T Camaro, and others.
According to customers who tested this 2.0 Turbo engine, the engine delivers reliable power for its size and achieves between 230 and 275 horsepower along with 260 to 295 of torque.
Like newer 4-cylinder engines, the 2.0 Turbo engine provides standard specifications allowing for the best power and fuel economy. This engine is designed in a square shape to provide strong balance, especially at the low-end torque. It also is made of aluminum which reduces the weight significantly and allows the engine to provide the best power.
Finally, the engine comes in a small displacement, which is considered an important aspect of enhancing efficiency. This aspect comes in handy with the Turbo feature that provides great power.
There are plenty of cars with a 2.0 Turbo engine, including GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CT6, Buick Envision, Cadillac CTS, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac ATS.
2018 GM 2.0 Turbo Engine Problems
Despite the decent power and the respectful fuel economy that comes with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the engine was not free. Immediately after driving the vehicle for a couple of years, customers discovered major engine issues that questioned the vehicle's overall reliability.
Although there is a long list of reported problems about the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine, some of the top and most frequently reported problems has to do with the Pistons, carbon buildup, and oil leak.
Keep in mind that the 2018 GM hasn't been on the road for a long time, and there will be a lot to learn about this vehicle as we gather more data. Our team conducted an in-depth review of all reported complaints to larger forums like nhtsa.gov, repairpal.com, edmunds.com, and others.
It's important to note that despite the number of reported complaints about this engine, the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine is considered a good and reliable engine overall.
Let's take a closer look at some of the top reported complaints about the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems:
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2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems: piston
Piston failure is one of the most common 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems. Although earlier models suffered from piston failure at the first couple of 1000 miles, later models did not have this problem early.
What are the common symptoms of piston failure in 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engines?
Based on most observations, it seems like when the piston fails in the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine; you will notice one of the following symptoms:
- Overall reduction in the vehicle’s performance
- Engine misfire
- Significant oil loss
- Engine knocking
- And the high amount of smoke coming from the exhaust system
2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine piston replacement
While some customers had only to replace the first one to get the engine resolved, most 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine piston problems required installing or rebuilding the engine, unfortunately.
When the piston goes bad, it can damage the cylinder's walls and leave it with metal chunks. These metal chunks can completely damage the engine.
There are some instances where customers underestimated their piston problem and performed a simple rebuilt, which then caused severe engine damage shortly.
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2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems: carbon buildup
Although carbon buildup is one of the most reported problems about the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine, it is a problem with most modern engines that use direct injections.
It is very crucial to understand how direct injection differs from regular port injection. In most vehicles with port injections, engines produced some oil deposits in the valves and the ports. Once the fuel gets sprayed on these valves and ports, it can easily wash off any oil deposits and prevent carbon from building up in the valves and the tubes.
On the other hand, for vehicles like the 2018 GM, the automaker designed it to have direct fuel injection into the cylinders, which means that there is nothing to wipe oil deposits. As a result, carbon buildup is one of the common issues you will find in most modern vehicles.
What are the common symptoms of the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine carbon buildup?
Luckily, when carbon starts to build up in your vehicles valves, you might notice some of the following symptoms to bring your attention to the problem so you can resolve it fast:
- Your vehicle will lose power
- You might notice some shuttering and hesitation
- The engine might have a misfire
- And you will notice some rough idling
How to resolve the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems due to carbon buildup?
Carbon buildup is a very common problem, as we understood earlier. It is associated with most modern vehicles, which is unfortunate. This is because technicians and automaker experts spend time and effort determining the best way to get rid of this problem during the cobra. One of the fastest ways to take care of carbon buildup is to clean up the intake valves, Or what's referred to as Walnut blasting.
Walnut blasting usually costs between $400 and $700.00. Of course, the price the first significantly depending on the shop where you get the job done.
Automotive experts even recommend performing some Walnut blasting once your vehicle reaches around 70,000 miles and 100,000 miles current
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2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems: oil leak
An oil leak is one of the worst enemies that can damage any engine, whether it's the 2.0 Turbo engine or another.
It seems like an oil leak was reported frequently about the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine, and more specifically, customers indicated that the oil leak might be due to a problem with the front cover.
The tricky part here is that the oil leak is not severe, and you won't see any oil dripping under the vehicle. Thus, one might get scammed and purchase a 2018 GM with a terrible problem in the engine.
Therefore, automotive experts recommend that you perform a detailed inspection before making a final decision about whether to purchase a used 2018 GM vehicle with a 2.0 Turbo engine.
One quick inspection would be to take a closer look at the timing cover and look for signs of any black gunk. When the oil drips on the timing cover, it will be burned quickly, and it will make some black-like gunk.
What are the common symptoms of oil leaks in the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine?
As we indicated before, the oil leak will not be very severe in the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine. Therefore, customers might find it challenging to detect the leak before causing major problems and costing you a lot on repair costs.
However, there are some certain symptoms you might keep an eye for, including:
- A significant drop in your vehicles oil level
- In some scenarios, you might notice some signs of a visible leak
- You might notice some smoke coming from the Engine Bay
- And finally, you will notice some oil burning smell every time you start your vehicle
How to fix a 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine with oil leak problems?
Well, determining the right way to fix your 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine due to an oil leak problem depends heavily on the source of this leak.
As automotive experts indicated, it shouldn't cost you a lot to fix any oil leak coming from the 2018 2.0 Turbo engine as long as you detect the problem early.
However, one of the biggest components in the total cost of fixing any oil leak in this type of engine is the labor cost. Based on our previous experience, labor cost is a major component in repairing any oil leak at a camp cost you as high as $1000 in certain situations.
Remember that failing to detect oil leak early in your 2018 GM toilet all Turbo engine might result in catastrophic results like a complete engine failure.
Are there any recalls addressing the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems?
As of the time writing this article, there hasn't been any recall released to address the 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine problems.
However, the automaker decided to recall several vehicles from the 2018 model year due to the 1.5-liter Turbo engine issue.
The automaker indicated that this engine might require a software update that has an error that could prevent the engine from working properly. The automaker added that there are situations where this problem might cause engine stalling, increasing the risks of getting involved in car accidents.
The software error has to do with the engine control module, which could cause some disabled to the fuel injectors. All affected vehicles were advised to visit the nearest Chevy dealership and resolve the problem by reprogramming the engine control module unit free of charge.
Should You Repair 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo Engine Problems?
Determining whether it's worth fixing your 2018 GM 2.0 Turbo engine depends heavily on your vehicle's own circumstances and the source of the problem.
For example, if you were 2018 GM is at an early stage of its life with a couple of 1000 miles, it might be worth spending time and effort investigating and evaluating this with total repair costs.
On the other hand, if your vehicle at very high mileage, there are high chances of introducing major problems that could easily cost major components failures like engine or transmission failure.
If you decided to evaluate your vehicle's overall costs, automotive experts suggest that if repair costs are getting close to 75% or more from your vehicle's value, it is never worth fixing it.
The other thing to think about is your time and efforts. For instance, if you notice that you're visiting the dealership frequently with your beloved brand-new vehicle, it might be worth waiting for whether it is the right vehicle for you or not.
One might ask: who will accept buying a 2018 GM vehicle with major 2.0 Turbo engine failures or problems? Cash Cars Buyer is one of the fewest companies accepting your 2018 GM vehicle despite its type, model, or condition.
We guarantee to pay the top dollars for this vehicle along with free towing no matter where you are living around the United States.
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