Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the front windshield wipers stopped operating, without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the windshield wiper motors were repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the connection from the motor to the wiper motors was not functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked and waited until the rain showers had slowed down to continue driving to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,125.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated after attempting to activate the windshield wipers, the wipers failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the motor and arms needed to be replaced on the windshield wipers. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,306.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wipers failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the windshield wiper motor. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I was driving down the interstate at 70+ mph when my windshield wipers suddenly stopped mid swing. They stayed frozen in place and did not fall back down. I have been unable to have the wipers work in any situation since. This occurred during an extremely heavy downpour and my vision was immediately obscured. In the car we're also my wife and 5-month old child. I was able to turn on my hazards and begin to slow down by releasing the accelerator but I had to drive blindly for about 30-seconds at speed to allow 2 18-wheelers and a car from behind me to pass before I could move over 2 lanes and onto the shoulder. My wife had to help provide assistance from the backseat where she was seated next to our child's car seat. Her view out of the rear-passenger window was enough of an angle and less obstructed to be able to help. …
Front wipers stop working in the middle of a rain storm while driving down the highway we were unable to see anything(road/cars)out of the window. We had to put on flashers and stick head out of a rolled down window to (which with rain slapping you in the face is not safe either) try and get to a shoulder on the highway safely. My hubby and I were terrified and thought we were going to die or cause harm to others on the highway. After rain slowed down we got home very slowly with hazard light running. Once home I searched the web for problems that could have caused the wipers to suddenly stop. Results were to check fuses and relays (all checked out fine). I read that it could be a bushing on linkage arm that came off. Husband and I took off wipers and the cowl and sure enough linkage arm bushing had popped off of the ball joint. …
While driving in a heavy rain storm one night, my windshield wipers just quit. I couldn't see to drive. I put my flashers on to warn other drivers and had to resort to sticking my head out the window to see where I was on the road. I finally got a chance to pull off the road, moved the wipers by hand, still they did not operate. I called the dealer where I bought my car and an extended warranty. I drove it to them on a non-rainy day and left my car. I was told they would check it out and call me. They said wipers were not part of the warranty, that there was no recall for my car, and charges to fix it could be in excess of $550.00. As I did not have enough money at that time, they told me to leave it, but would not work on it till I had the money. Also, if I did not have them fix it, fee would be $100 for evaluation. …
As I was driving, it started to rain, so I turned on my windshield wipers. While the wipers were functioning, they abruptly stopped in the middle of their rotation. I had to stop on the side of the road while the wipers were stuck, and I couldn't drive in the rain without them, so I had to wait until the rain went away before I could drive. I took it to the dealership the next day when it wasn't raining, and they told me the windshield wiper arm detached from the motor and the whole thing needed replacement. The year of my car is 2016, and I noticed that while my car didn't have this recalled, the 2015 model does. It literally is the same issue as seen on the 2015 version. Because my car's year isn't under recall, I had to pay the full amount to get this issue replaced. …
NHTSA investigations
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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, 30% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Equinox window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 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.