2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 396 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 14 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, other, labelsJun 21, 2016
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.
Campaign 16V449000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: visibility/wiper
114 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2023
Driving in a very heavy downpour and had wipers on high about 10 hours from home on a vacation. On a country road, no real burm to pull off on, both wipers stopped up on the windshield leaving no way to see the road. Had to drive not seeing until I could find a semi pull off. Had to sit for an hour with flashers on until rain passed. Stopped at a parts store to spray rainex on until I could find a garage. Next day, found a garage to look at it and paid him $72.00 to say hopefully it could get me home. He said there was something in there that was bad and had never seen this fail before. Left garage and next morning about 5 minutes into a drive, wipers quit working again. This is a very dangerous thing to fail.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2023
Driving down the highway at 70mph in a downpour, when the drivers side wiper went up, and never came back down.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 17, 2023
Windshield wipers became inoperative during a rain storm, leaving us stranded on the highway till the rain passed.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2023
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. We were forced to wait out the remainder of the rain on a narrow shoulder with 18-wheelers continually plowing past. After the rain passed I could use the shoulder to drive about a mile to the next exit. Unsure at the time what the issue was, we were able to get rain-X and contacted a Jiffy Lube. A brief diagnosis by their mechanics was a faulty wiper transmission since the wiper motor was still operating and making noise but the wipers appear to have disconnected from the motor. They had neither the time nor the parts for repair. I will be taking the car to a GM/Chevy dealership for inspection and repair. There was no prior indication of a problem and has never occurred in the past.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2023
I was driving down the road & my windshield wipers stopped working in the middle of a horrible downpour of rain. I know there was a recall on the 2015 model mine is a 2016
Visibility/wiper, Jul 2, 2023
Front wipers just suddenly stopped working in the middle of a Interstate Highway, during a downpour, causing to lose complete visibility.And unable to get them working again, as we're stuck on the shoulder.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2023
Driving in heavy rain and turned the wipers on to hi position and they completely stopped working while in passing lane of highway. Limited visibility caused me to pull of on left side in dangerous position of traffic coming from behind. Dangerous situation to get off the highway.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2023
In February of 2021, I was traveling with my son (and was 8 months pregnant) on a highway going roughly 60-65 mph. All of a sudden, a terrible storm hit the area and I turned my wipers on. Within moments I heard a noise and both wipers were no longer working. I had no visibility and almost wrecked. I was extremely traumatized by the situation. I was able to pull off the road and waited until the storm passed (2 hours). I found a small shop that confirmed the wiper mechanism needed to be replaced because of the “ball joints”. They didn’t have the part, so I had to continue the 3 hour drive stopping when it started to rain. A 3 hour drive took us 6 hours. I was able to have the issue repaired for nearly $215.00. Fast forward to today (4/22/23) and again, the wiper mechanism has given out. Again, we were on the Highway and during a storm, the mechanism gave out and we lost operation in the wiper on the driver side. I was traveling with my two children, and again almost ran off the road and had no visibility. After doing research it looks like there is a “special coverage” for this issue and I think it’s a poor decision for this part to not be recalled and handled appropriately by GM. I have called GM and scheduled an appointment to have my wiper mechanism inspected/fixed and was told I would need to cover the cost. That is unacceptable. This is extremely dangerous and has caused me not only hundreds of dollars now, but the security of even getting in my vehicle to drive when it’s raining or a storm is approaching. Please do the right thing and require a recall. Invoice from the first fix in 2021 is attached. I am happy to provide the invoice for the next fix after it occurs next week.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 31, 2023
Drivers side windshield wiper stopped working and will not wipe.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2023
On January 25, 2023 there was snowfall in my area. While driving as snow was falling, while the wipers were engaged, the wipers suddenly stopped moving. I tried my best to safely pull over to the side of the road and sat for hours until the weather conditions improved and I could see through the windshield before I could drive off. My child was in the vehicle after being picked up from school. I could barely see anything around us, putting our lives at risk. On 1/30/23 i was advised the wiper transmission/linkage part failed costing me close to $500 to repair.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2023
Windshield wipers quit working during transport during a heavy rain storm. Visibility 0.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jan 25, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2023
I was driving in heavy downpour at 8pm when my windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. They would not respond to the steering wheel mechanism and became inoperable making visibility incredibly difficult if not impossible to see. It put my life at risk on a busy route that was already exacerbated from the darkness and rain. I was extremely lucky in that only 3 other cards were around me at the time as I immediately put on my hazards and these cars went around me. Luckily, I was somewhat familiar with my surroundings and was able to pull over into a safe parking lot and wait for assistance. In fact, I was unable to drive my car for a day and half because it rained the next day, and I could not retrieve my car. My issue was confirmed by the Chevrolet dealership on 1/24/23 after inspection that there was an issue with my 'windshield wiper transmission,' and that it would need to be replaced. Right now, this will cost me $614 to replace the windshield wiper transmission. No warnings, messages or other symptoms were provided prior to this issue. It was a sudden and very abrupt malfunction.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 18, 2023
Driving on a major highway with pouring down rain, wiper blades suddenly stopped. I couldn't see anything, it was very dangerous and nerve racking, especially with a 5 year old. Luckily I was in the right lane and able to maneuver over. Had I been in the left lane, I'm not sure how I would have safely handled the situation. There was no warning or indication they were about to give out. They stopped on the driver's side, I've noticed this is common in the forums. This should already be a recall. They are putting a lot of lives in danger. I replaced the fuse, that did not solve the issue. I'm having the motor replaced tomorrow.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 3, 2023
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.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2022
Was driving in a rainstorm and the wipers stopped working. It seems like something broke as the driver side wiper was over near the driver side door. After reviewing some of the online issues with the 2016 Chevy Equinox wipers, this looks to be very consistent with many of the other wiper issues listed. Safety was at a major risk as the vehicle was traveling on Interstate 90 during on Sunday 11/27/22 after Thanksgiving holiday. There were no warning lights indicating a problem with the wipers. I have pulled off the road and am waiting for a ride since I can't drive the car in the rain.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 15, 2022
My daughter and I were driving as she just got her permit. Well it started to rain and we were on the highway and the front wipers just stopped working. As she is a new driver she freaks out. Lucky no one was behind us at the time. We pulled over to the side of the highway and we could hear the motor working. We sat it out until the rain slowed down and I took over driving and got us home without the wipers worker. My wife gets the new part and fixes it and a week later they stop working again.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2022
My windshield wiper abruptly stopped during a storm and almost caused an accident on the freeway.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Oct 20, 2022
Some previous background on my 2016 Chevy Equinox that I bought brand new: - I brought in my car about 6 months ago to get it repaired for an engine seal issue. This set me back about $3,200. I thought the issue was fixed, but I think it's related to the current issue I'm now having. - I had a minor incident where the windshield wiper flew off in the middle of the street and have seen a few complaints about that, so thought it was noteworthy enough to mention. Now, the car has 100,000 miles on it and the engine light came on again. I brought it in a few days ago (10/18/22) and the mechanics said that I had a "bad" engine and that the car's issue was excessive oil consumption. They quoted the repair at $11,000 (which I have found quotes that are lower since, but not by much). The KBB value of the car is just under $10,000. Considering the repair earlier this year, the car has cost me more than it's worth by far. The car is only 5-6 years old and only has 100,000 miles on it! I'm seeing the same make/model have recalls and several issues with the engine seals and the excessive engine oil consumption. I know that my car falls under this as well, but has not received any warranty or any recalls yet. I can't afford a new car or a fix on the current car since the issue is massive and requires a new engine. If TONS of other people are having the same issue(s) (over 1000 complaints), then why are consumers not being reimbursed? It looks like there are only lawsuits for this out there that are being handled at the consumer-level (which I cannot afford an attorney for this either). Now, I'm having to put oil in my car constantly in order to drive it. I'm worried it's putting me in danger (and anyone else on the road). I've been reading that once it gets cold outside (which it is already getting down to 32F at night), it's likely that the seals are going to break again and cause the engine to fail.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2022
I own both a 2015 & 2016 Chevy Equinox. The 2015 has a recall for the wiper blade ball joints rusting, but the 2016 does not have the recall. I did have an incident with the 2016 Equinox where the wipers stopped working during a rain storm due to corrosive ball joints (see attached photos). I think the recall needs to be expanded to include other years besides 2014-2015 models.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 7, 2022
I was driving in the middle of a heavy rain and my wipers just stopped working. Now I can hear the motor running but the wipers doesn't move at all.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 22, 2022
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. When I went to pick up the car, nothing had been done, there was no fee, and the person I had been dealing with was no longer there. My car had sat there for a month, no one checked it, no one returned my calls, I picked it up still with non-working wipers. I have been driving my mothers car in the meantime.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 12, 2022
While driving in a thunderstorm last night my windshield wipers failed completely and stopped partially blocking my vision. The motor runs but the wipers do not even try to move, I had to stop and move the wiper wipers out of the line of vision. I have called several dealers and they don’t seem to be up on the issue! It was very scary and dangerous as I was in a really bad thunderstorm crossing the Coleman bridge in Hayes Va when they went out. Something needs to be done before people are killed! Chevrolet knows about the defect but does not seem to have done anything about it!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2022
During a heavy rainstorm, my windshield wipers stopped functioning after use for 15 minutes. I turned the car off and then back on and the front wipers would not turn back on. The back wiper still works.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jul 25, 2022
oil was dripping for the past two months. I took it to the dealer and they said they could find nothing. It kept dripping and now the rear main seal must be replaced. auto has 13,005 miles on it