Most common 2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Share of the 399 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Equinox complaints by model year
Best Equinox years: 2021, 2017, 2016. Years to avoid: 2025. Compare all years →
2016 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox:
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis.
What 2016 Chevrolet Equinox owners say
Engine & cooling all 211 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 32 MPH, the contact was veering off the highway exit ramp and noticed in the rear-view mirror that there was black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact got off the exit ramp and became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact activated the hazard light and drove to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear main seal had blown out and that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact drove the vehicle to the destination. The contact parked the vehicle and checked the engine oil level. The contact became aware of a pasty substance on the end of the dipstick. The contact was taken to get oil to top off the engine oil. The contact stated that while driving, the low oil pressure and stop engine warning lights illuminated. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed PCV valve. The contact was informed that the PCV valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the check engine warning light illuminated. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 120 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm with the front windshield wipers activated, the wipers suddenly became inoperable. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while the wipers were operating in the high position. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light suddenly illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had experienced excessive oil consumption. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the windshield wipers failed to operate during a rainstorm without warning. His wife pulled off to the shoulder of the road and waited for the storm to subside before she resumed driving. Once the contact's wife made it home, the contact inspected the vehicle and stated that an abnormal, clicking noise was coming from the windshield wiper motor. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 27 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while the vehicle gear was in park; he switched from the driver's seat to the passenger seat with his wife. His wife was taking over to become the driver. While attempting to change drivers, the vehicle inadvertently reversed. The wife was trying to stop the vehicle while being partially in and partially out of the vehicle. The vehicle dragged the wife into an area of bushes. The contact stated while the passenger door was still open, when it accidentally hit him and knocked him over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The police and medical team arrived on the scene. The contact believed a police report was filed. There was no medical treatment on the scene. The contact stated the wife was bruised from the waist to both feet. The contact believed he cracked his rib. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal sounds and then stalled. The warning message "Low Engine Pressure" was displayed. The contact's daughter was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact's husband, a Ford mechanic diagnosed that the PCM valve had frozen, built-up pressure in the engine, and blew out the pressure which ruptured the rear main seal. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact's husband that it was a known failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
2016 Chevrolet Equinox engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox a good car?
Based on 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Equinox rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Equinox at the same age. It is one of the best Equinox years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
The engine & cooling — 211 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › oil/lubrication. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (120) and transmission & drivetrain (27).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent from June 21, 2016 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Equinox?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2017 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025. See the full Chevrolet Equinox years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.