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
396 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 10, 2020
DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD DURING A STORM AND THEY JUST STOP.
Structure, Sep 18, 2020
CLEAR COAT ON VEHICLES TOP IS PEELING. MY CHEVY HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF VERY WELL. I BELIEVE THAT, THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN CANADA AND THAT FACTORY CUT CORNERS ON APPLING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF CLEAR COATING TO THE PRIMARY COLOR.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2020
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE- COMPLETE FAILURE MIDDLE OF RAIN STORM
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2020
DRIVER REPORTS CAR STALLS WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL, CAR HAS SMELL OF GAS. THIS STALLING HAPPENS AT LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2020
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THEM BACK ON, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MOVE, BUT A SOUND COULD BE HEARD LIKE THEY WERE MOVING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
CURRENT MILES: 66,190. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND RIGHT AFTER CAR BEGAN STALLING AT READ LIGHT. I HAD TO GET ON THE FREEWAY TO GET BACK HOME AND CAR LOST POWER. SO, NEXT DAY I WENT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD THE CAMSHAFT TIME POSITION INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES NEEDED REPLACED. WAS TOLD OIL LEVELS WERE PERFECTLY FINE AND AN OIL CHANGE WAS NOT NEEDED. WAS TOLD ISSUE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY EQUINOX'S FROM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. ALSO WAS TOLD BY THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THIS PART/COMPONENT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE TIME OF THE ENGINE AND USUALLY NEEDS REPLACED AFTER 100K OR MORE MILES. SO I GOOGLED TO SEE HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM WAS, AND SURE ENOUGH MANY EQUINOX OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE FROM DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. PEOPLE LIVES AND FAMILIES ARE AT RISK.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY IN A RAIN STORM WHEN MY WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE THRUWAY AND WAIT IT OUT UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. MY FATHER IN LAW (RETIRED AUTOMOTIVE TEACHER) DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A BALL JOINT ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION HAD COME APART DISCONNECTING THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FROM THE WIPER MOTOR. HE REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW UNIT FROM CHEVROLET PARTS DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE A DEFLECTOR TO KEEP THE ELEMENTS AWAY FROM THE WIPER TRANSMISSION BALL JOINTS. I LEARNED GM HAD A RECALL ON THE 2013 MODEL YEAR EQUINOX FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NEVER EXTENDED IT TO THE 2016 MODEL YEAR DESPITE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS.
Engine, Jul 31, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. KILLS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. HARD TO ACCELERATE. OIL WAS CHANGED TWO WEEKS AGO BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. FOUND CODE P0010 FOR THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID PERFORMANCE. TESTED THE INTAKE SOLENOID AND IT HAD 1.4K OHMS. SHOULD BE BETWEEN 8-13OHMS. REPLACED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOIDS.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2020
2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, 87,000 MILES HIGHWAY MILES. WHILE DRIVING IN THE POURING RAIN THIS MORNING THE WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED. HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER SINCE I COULD NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITHOUT THEM. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUINING BUT THE WIPERS WERE NOT MOVING. CALLED ONSTAR TO ASK FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CORPORATE RESPONSE WAS THE WIPER SYSTEM WAS NOT CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION EVEN THO IT SHOULD BE IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE SHOP SINCE WE ARE IN A DOWNPOUR RIGHT NOW AND IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN THERE. THE SHOP SAID THE MOTOR WAS FINE, IT WAS THE WIPER TRANSMISSION THAT IS COMPLETELY BURNT OUT/SHOT! THIS CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD THE WIPER TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY SHOT/BURNT OUT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2020
CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHT
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2020
DURING PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN, WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING APPROX 60MPH CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY ISSUES. HAD TO PULL CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD WAITING FOR RAIN TO STOP BEFORE PROCEEDING. ISSUE CAUSED BY FAULTY WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE HAS APPROX 74000 MILES. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 18, 2020
MY 2016 CHEVY EQUINOX RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING, AT ANY RANDOM TIME. NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS GO OFF TO LET ME KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, IT JUST STOPS. EVERYTHING TURNS OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND ALL POWER SHUTS OFF. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND THROW IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. IT USUALLY DOES RESTART RIGHT AWAY BUT THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MOST OF THE TIME IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO MOVE FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR SLOW DOWN, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHILE IN DRIVE. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPED. VEHICLE STALLED ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE PISTON RINGS OR CRANK SENSOR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 8, 2020
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCH IS FAULTY. *TR
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jun 7, 2020
I PURCHASED A PRE CERTIFIED VEHICLE ON 3/22/19 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS 12 DAYS FROM PURCHASE DATE. THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED ARE: LOUD CRANK LIKE NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, VIBRATION AT HIGH SPEEDS AND VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. CHEVY HAS REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER TWICE, SAID MY TIRES WERE DEFECTED SO I PURCHASED 4 BRAND NEW ONES, PERFORMED 3 ROAD FORCE BALANCES AND 2 ALIGNMENTS ON NEW TIRES, REPLACED PROPELLER SHAFT AND REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT FIXED AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2020
THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE LIFTING FROM THE PLASTIC. THE CHROME PLATING IS SHARP LIKE A SHEET METAL MATERIAL AND SLICED OPEN MY HUSBAND'S MIDDLE FINGER WHEN HE WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT SLICED SO DEEP HE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CHROME PLATING IS ALSO LIFTING FROM OTHER AREAS ON THE DASH AND INNER DOORS.
Engine, May 4, 2020
TRUCK WAS SPUTTERING WHILE DRIVING AND COULD SMELL OIL & HAD SMOKE COMING FROM BACK. TOOK TO CHEVY DEALER IN JANUARY. DEALER REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR & BORED/RESET THROTTLE BODY & RESET IDLE. THEY CLAIMED THERE WASNT A LEAK. TWO WEEKS LATER OIL WAS POURING FROM UNDER MY TRUCK & IT WAS BACK AT THE DEALER WITH PROOF OF A MASSIVE LEAK. THEY KEPT MY TRUCK TIL MARCH 23 AND IT WAS THE PCV PORT HAD TO BE MODIFIED AND BLOWN REAR MAIN SEAL ON THE ENGINE ($1,948). I ONLY HAVE 65,000 MILES ON IT. RESEARCHING 2016 MODEL, I FOUND THE MAIN ISSUES ARE THE PCV PORT & REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE FACT THAT GENERAL MOTORS WAS & IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM! WHY ISNT SOMETHING BEING DONE?
Visibility/wiper, Mar 27, 2020
2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECT WITH LINK BALL SOCKET IN WIPER TRANSMISSIONS. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER, BEFORE THE KNOWNFAILURE OCCURS. *JS
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2020
LIFTGATE WILL NOT OPEN CODE P0010 AND P0011 ON VEHICLE. PARTS CHANGED AND CODE P0011 STILL SHOWING. CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL VERY DANGEROUS.THIS CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER, THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER FROZE WHICH CAUSED A BLOWOUT OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM TRENARY CHEVROLET OF TROY LOCATED AT 200 PROFESSIONAL PKWY, TROY, MO 63379 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PVC FREEZE PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2020
THE OLDER MODEL EQUINOX HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, SO DID MY NEWER 2016. IT FAILED AND WAS PUSHING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE AT EXTREME LEVELS. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP WORKING PROPERLY AND FAIL. THE GM TECHNICIANS SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE RECENTLY, BUT WOULD NOT GO ON. I WAS DRIVING IN A POTENTIAL FIRE STARTER. THE ACTUAL ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND LUCKILY DID NOT START A FIRE WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAS THAT WAS IN THE ENGINE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER, BRAKING AND THE STEERING FUNCTIONALITY FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL IDLED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE SERVICE STABILI TRAC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGEY'S BUICK GMC (446 HARLEYSVILLE PIKE, SOUDERTON, PA 18964) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FLEMINGTON BUICK GMC CADILLAC (211 US-202, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A CASE WAS FILED. NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 27, 2020
THE WIPER ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY. THE RINGS THAT ATTACH THE WIPERS TO THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES. CONTACTED A GM DEALER AND THEY NO LONGER REPAIR THE RINGS BUT HAVE RESORTED TO A WHOLE NEW ASSEMBLY, BUT IT IS THE SAME ASSEMBLY AS THE ORIGINAL AND WILL MOST LIKELY BREAK AGAIN, JUST NOT AS QUICKLY. I HAVE BEEN IN BAD WEATHER (RAIN,SNOW) SITUATIONS INCLUDING DURING MEDIUM SNOW ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT GAVE OUT. I COULD BARELY SEE TO EVEN PULL OF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE FALLING SNOW AND FROM SEMIS AND OTHER VEHICLE SPRAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 24, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, AT 55MPH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING AND THE DASH SHOWED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED TO AROUND 30MPH BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE GAS. I IMMEDIATELY TOO THE VEHICLE TO MONRO MUFFLER AND BRAKE FOR SERVICE. WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO OIL. I PERFORMED REGULAR OIL CHANGES ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ABOUT LOW OIL PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE ENGINE NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
RECEIVED LETTER "SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE A LINK BALL SOCKET IN THE WIPER TRANSMISSION MAY SEPARATE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION"