Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood and the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that her son pulled the dipstick, and the pressure blew his hand back and oil splattered throughout the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that her son replaced the valve cover gasket however, oil was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCV Valve was burnt and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to extremely low engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine oil was four quarts low. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the regularly scheduled oil changes were always performed on the vehicle and that the engine had experienced excessive oil consumption. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. The contact stated this could have been a VERY serious problem had the engine failed while her son was on the freeway traveling 70 MPH instead of only driving 20MPH. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle on a cold, snowy day, there was oil on the driveway. There was a fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was related to the PCV system. The mechanic stated that the PCV valve was clogged, causing the gasket to fail. The vehicle was partially repaired. The mechanic later informed the contact that other repairs were necessary. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN for the repair. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at the drive-thru, the engine made a knocking sound. The vehicle then lost motive power and failed to restart. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, after the vehicle had an oil change at the dealer, the engine started consuming an excessive amount of oil, causing frequent oil changes every 3,000 miles. The oil life monitor system displayed 60% of oil remaining; however, when the vehicle was taken to Walmart for an oil change, the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle also jerked while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started making a ticking noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic informed the contact that the engine was low by two quarts of engine oil. On another occasion, the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic for an oil change, and the engine was low by two quarts of engine oil. The following month the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, due to the vehicle hesitating to accelerate, the vehicle was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,690.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and idled abnormally. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle jumped unintendedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The independent mechanic advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The failure became a recurring failure, and the contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the contact noticed a loud knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to the engine not properly circulating the engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The cam shaft was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated the cam shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic replaced the timing belt, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the timing belt was replaced again, but the failure persisted. The engine power reduced message was illuminated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,000. The contact stated that this is not their vehicle or their complaint.
Engine complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 211 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, 53% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Equinox engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries to engine & cooling 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.