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, Aug 21, 2019
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPED WORKING. I CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THE WIPERS DON'T MOVE.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2019
I HIT A HOLE AND MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND RIM WERE DAMAGED AND I COULD NOT MOVE CAR, HAD CAR TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE WHEEL, RIM AND NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. TWO DAYS LATER FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MAKING A LOUD NOISE, SHAKING WHEN DRIVING AND NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING A FLUID. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, RESUBMITTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY. INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY STAYED WEAR AND TEAR. THEY FOUND PLAY IN FRONT LINKS. NEED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT STABILIZER LINKS , LEFT FRONT AXLE SEAL LEAKING, REPLACED AXLE SEAL AND AXLE. MY CAR HAD 29000 MILES AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND TIRE ROTATION. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS IS WEAR AND TEAR ESPECIALLY 1 WEEK AFTER BUMPER TO BUMPER EXPIRED AND CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND CHECK TWO WEEKS PRIOR. EITHER CHEVY OR INSURANCE COMPANY IS A FRAUD!!! CAN PROVIDE PICTURES AND DOCUMENTATION.
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2019
WHILE DRIVING IN POURING RAIN THE WIPERS QUIT WORKING. THEY QUIT ABRUPTLY WHILE ON LEFT OF WINDSHIELD AND ON FULL POWER. COULD NOT SEE TO DRIVE ON 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO A WIDE BERM AND STOP. TURNED WIPERS OFF AND ON , THEY WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO WAIT ON ROADSIDE FOR RAIN TO PASS. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2012 AND 2014 MODELS , BUT NOT YET ON THE 2016.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 23, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2019
DATE OF PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE 06/25/2019 0/7/13/2019 I MADE A RIGHT TURN DRIVING AND A.C AND STEREO TURNED OFF. 07/15/2019 I WAS PARKED AND THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF I GOT IN THE CAR AND STARTED THE VEHICLE PUT IT ON REVERSE THEN DRIVE AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE KEY AND IT TURNED BACK ON. 07/16/2019 IN THE EVENING, ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON 07/16/2019 IN THE EVENING OIL CHANGE LIGHT WHEN ON 07/16/2019 IN THE AM I CALLED MOSS DEALER CHEVY IN MORENO VALLEY, CA AND SPOKE WITH DON HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET CHECKED. APPT SET UP FOR 07/19/2019 AT 8AM AT MOSS CHEVY IN MORENO VALLEY, CA 07/17/2019 IN THE AM I CALLED DON AT MOSS CHEVY IN IN MORENO VALLEY TO NOTIFY HIM THAT MY ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL CHANGE LIGHT WENT ON.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 16, 2019
RADIO SCREEN GOES ON AND OFF BY ITS SELF AND BACK UP CAMERA WON'T COME ON IN REVERSE AND CAR STARTS ON IT OWN WITH DOORS LOCK AND NO KEYS IN IT DON'T HAVE SELF START BUTTON ON KEY
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. THIS HAPPENED ON A VERY HOT AND SUNNY SUMMER DAY. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN AND THE A/C WAS OFF. THE RADIO STARTED TO LOOP A SONG THAT WAS PLAYING. I WAS UNABLE TO MUTE IT, TURN IT DOWN, AND TURN IT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT BUTTONS WERE DOING NOTHING. I TURNED ON THE A/C AND THE INTERIOR COOLED DOWN. THE RADIO FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL ONCE IT WAS COLD. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AS WELL. ONE TIME, IT WAS DURING WINTER AND THE HEAT WAS ON. THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEAT WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN POURING RAIN, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEMINCHT CHEVROLET (1550 CASSAT AVENUE, JACKSONVILLE, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 10, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN VERY HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A TIME WHERE THERE WAS LOW VISIBILITY AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME (2 WERE IN A CAR SEATS). ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER I CALLED ONSTAR/ CHEVY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD ASSIST WAS TO TOW MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHICH IN REALITY WASN'T POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE 3 KIDS AND I WERE NOT GOING TO FIT IN THE TRUCK WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. SO THE KIDS AND I WAITED IN THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED SO THAT I COULD DRIVE MY CAR TO A SAFER PLACE..
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2019
CAR DIED WHILE IN REVERSE, CAR PLACED IN PARK THEN TURNED OFF. THEN TURNED BACK ON PLACED IN DRIVE THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST SHUTS OFF. THE RPM GOES TO ZERO AND SHUTS OFF.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 4, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DURING A HEAVY RAIN FALL, MY WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT ABOUT 20 MINUTES FOR THE RAIN TO CLEAR SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. VERY UNSAFE. CHEVY NEEDS TO PUT A RECALL OUT FOR THIS AND FIX IT.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2019
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN HEAVY DOWN POURS ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN A RAIN STORM, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER (WILLIAMS CHEVROLET, 2 AUTOMOTIVE BLVD, ELKTON, MD) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Air bags, May 21, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR INFLATE IN FRONT COLLISION.
Visibility/wiper, May 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE SET TO HIGH, BUT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09-5253790500. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,916.
Engine, May 10, 2019
PVC TUBE FROZE CAUSE REAR SEAL TO BREAK CAUSING ENGINE TO LOSE ALL OIL. LUCKILY I WAS PARKED AND NOTICED THE OIL. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SENSORS LIT UP. WHEN TALKING TO DEALER AND OTHERS MANY EQUINOX THIS YEAR HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, EVEN THO GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE IT WAS STILL MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY 1800.00 TO FIX IT
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2019
DRIVING 75 MPH IN POURING RAIN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED. MADE IT TO SIDE OF ROAD BUT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME DUE TO WIPERS STOPPING
Visibility/wiper, May 6, 2019
I WAS TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER (RAINSTORM) AND SUDDENLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER. I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55+ MPH) AT THE TIME ON I 270 IN COLUMBUS, OH. INSTANTLY LOST VISIBILITY AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE BERM WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AT THE TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND CHEVROLET EQUINOX THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE WITH, THE PRIOR VEHICLE WAS A 2013 EQUINOX. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO TWO OF MY CO-WORKERS WHO DRIVE CHEVY EQUINOXES.
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR OUR COMPANY VEHICLE (2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX) HAD PARTIALLY FAILED ONE DAY PRIOR TO BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING. YOU CANNOT USE THEM AT ALL, EVEN WHEN TRYING TO RUN THEM, NOTHING HAPPENS. NO OTHER PREVIOUS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED TO CAUSE THE WIPERS FROM FAILING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2019
ON MARCH 15, 2019 MY RADIATOR CRACKED/BUSTED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND HE SAID THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A 3 YEAR OLD CAR (54,358 MILES). HE SAID MAYBE THE GAUGE STEEL IS THINNER THAN IT USED TO BE. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED (RADIATOR CRACKED) WHILE I WAS DRIVING - BUT WHEN I GOT HOME AFTER DROPPING OFF THE CAR AT THE MECHANIC I NOTICED LEAKING FLUID ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR (FROM BEFORE I DROVE IT).
Engine, Feb 25, 2019
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY. CAR STOPPED WORKING NO WARNING LIGHT OR WARNING. BARLEY GOT IT OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF TRAFFICE. ENDS UP IT THE REAR MANTLE FOLD WHICH IN TURN MADE THE ENGINE STOP WORKING. VEHICLES NEEDS WHOLE NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Feb 12, 2019
PVC TUBE FROZE CAUSE REAR SEAL TO BREAK CAUSING ENGINE TO BREAK. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING CAR MADE A NOOSE AND STOPPED WORKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SENSORS LIT UP. HAPPENED ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WHEN TALKING TO DEALER AND OTHERS MANY EQUINOX THIS YEAR HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BUFF WHELAN CHEVROLET (40445 VAN DYKE AVENUE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313, (877-237-3928) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR ELECTRONIC INDICATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Power train, Engine, Jan 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR MY ENGINE STARTED TO FLUTTER WHEN NOTICING THAT I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE DEALERSHIP TOOK A LOOK AT IT THEY REALIZED IT WAS A PCV CLOG FROM CONDENSATION GETTING IN TO THE PCV VALVE. I HAVE 72000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE SO THERE IS NO MORE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT COVER CLOGS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVY HAD A LOT OF THESE AND ACTUALLY EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON VEHICLES FROM 2010 TO 2014 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THEY HAVE NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT FIXING THE ISSUE IN THE ARTICLES I HAVE READ. UPON HEARING THIS INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP I CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHICH THAT THEY HAD 6 VEHICLES IN THEIR FOR THIS SAME EXACT THING THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT GETS COLD. CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THIS KNOWING IT IS A PROBLEM. ATTACHED IS THE SERVICE BULLETIN WHERE IT LIST THE MODELS AND WHERE CHEVY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THOSE MAKE AND MODELS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2019
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ABRUPTLY BECAME INOPERABLE THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. NOTHING STUCK IT/THEM, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, ETC. ONE MINUTE THEY WERE WORKING AND THE NEXT THE MINUTE COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING AND HAVEN'T WORKED SINCE. SOUNDS SIMILAR TO CURRENT INVESTIGATION/COMPLAINT OPENED IN 11/2018.