Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and the contact was informed that no fault codes were retrieved; however, the computer was reset. The contact stated that shortly after retrieving the vehicle the failure recurred and was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the sensors in the main computer. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
My 2016 Chevrolet Equinox caught on fire about 10 minutes after my accident. I rear ended a pickup truck going about 5-10 miles an hour. Although nobody was hurt, I don't think SUVs should catch on fire. I'm unaware if this problem is frequent in 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, but there wasn't any warning of the sudden fire that appeared from the engine, i.e. sirens, sounds from within the car. I'm unaware if Chevrolet, law enforcement or the insurance company has inspected the vehicle after the accident?
My car is a 2016 chevy equinox - the check engine light never came on and I was driving it home from the store when it started bucking, showing "power to engine low" error message and barely moved when pressing the gas. I got the car home and my husband was checking the car only to find I have no oil when I never received any warning. I have done research and have seen this is an issue for many chevy equinox owners who all experienced this with their cars. I just had an oil change completed a few months ago in early Sept/Late August with very minimal driving in the 4 month window as I was out of work for 2 of those months. I do believe this is a defect in the car due to the fact that I was out of oil so quickly PLUS no alert informing me that the oil was low prior to the issue with the vehicle. now it will not start and the engine appears to be trash now.
I was driving home from work, all of sudden all the dash borad lights started flashing and the car stop. engine would not start back up. I had to have the car towed home and the next day it was towed to the dealership, I was told that there is a problems with the Chev Equinox's oil use, it burns fast and make the plastic parts in the engine break down. I was told that i will need timing chain and pitston replaced or new engine. i filed a complaint with GMC and they said that they don;t know of any problems with the type of car engine that i have. GMC said they will pay $600, toward cost of my repairs about $6500. dollars.
In Feb 2025, I was driving, a day after a snow storm, on the highway when without warning my car stopped accelerating, and just shut down. The mechanic said my oil was all over the ground. He also stated that there's a defect in the 2.4l ecotec motors and the pistons broke on my vehicle. Now I have to pay $3500 to rebuild my motor. He stated that the vehicle has a higher oil consumption rate/ leaks and you will never know
Snowy conditions. All of the traction control, stabilitrak, and abs systems are working normally. Sometimes when i accelerate and the wheels start to spin the whole infotainment console turns off. Its almost like the battery is dead for a few seconds then everything turns back on.
Purchased vehicle certified pre owned May 2019 with 56,000 miles. In June 2019 replaced front tire that were new due to passenger tire wear also New battery and oil change..Jan 2020 had to have front main seal oil ring replaced. Oil changes done every 3 to 7 thousand miles. Have a 2 sets of tires put on .Have had some hesitation problems throughout while.driving. But never did find cause. Took to chevy dealer on Nov 3rd for windshield wiper motor replacement. Picked up on Nov. 5th. Have had issues with starting since picked up had to carry jump start box in car. Car was parked until I could get a new battery approx 1 week. Put new battery in drove to work for about 2 days still.had issues. Traction stability light had came on never went off. Parked car for another week or so Drove 2 miles down road to store. While driving car was loosing power. …
In early November of 2020 my Chevrolet Equinox engine failed due to excessive oil consumption and burning oil. My low oil light never went on and we did regular oil changes which still didnt matter. We were putting oil in it every few days until finally it wouldnt start anymore. I had it then towed to the Chevrolet dealership to have it fixed as it is my only means of transportation.they corrected the problem but refuse to take accountability for the excessive oil consumption resulting in a bill of over $2,200. They never fixed the low oil light, and we have found that now even though it had been fixed it is still using oil excessively so I am constantly checking it. I contacted Chevrolet to dispute the matter but they refuse to pay for the damage because it is out of warranty. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving various speeds, the instrument panel went black. The vehicle was taken to moss bros. Auto group (12625 auto mall drive, moreno valley, california 92555, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. Afterwards, the power steering seized and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not restart when prompted. The vehicle was towed to tom bell Chevrolet (800 alabama street, redlands, california 92374, [phone]) where it was determined that the vehicle exhibited "low voltage". The battery was replaced in 2016. The contact stated that the diagnostic trouble codes were erased; therefore, the dealer could not duplicate the "low voltage" failure reading. …
Initially the rear main seal was leaking or broken; all the oil drained from the vehicle. After spending $992.60 I was advised that the timing change and guides needed to be replaced. I've had the vvt celanide replaced as well as the crank and cam shaft sensors; the vvt gears and an oil pump rebuild...$2017.60 later, my truck drove for approximately 3 miles where it died on the side of the road. I have not driven my car (aside from the 3 miles) in nearly 2 months. Now I'm being told they think it May be electrical. My truck has less than 100,000 miles on it. I've heard from numerous goggle searches that GM is aware of the issues with this motor/vehicle and has done nothing to remedy the problem. I am a single mother of 4; I bought this truck brand new to safely transport my children here, there and everywhere. …
Electrical complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, 6% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Equinox electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.