NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 399 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Most complaints involve engine (203) and visibility/wiper (114). The EPA rates it 18–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Equinox model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 |
| 2006 | 695 |
| 2007 | 685 |
| 2008 | 370 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 784 |
| 2011 | 783 |
| 2012 | 685 |
| 2013 | 751 |
| 2014 | 549 |
| 2015 | 680 |
| 2016 | 399 |
| 2017 | 276 |
| 2018 | 410 |
| 2019 | 310 |
| 2020 | 318 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 407 |
| 2026 | 79 |
| 2027 | 1 |
“I am filing this complaint regarding a safety-related engine problem with my 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. My vehicle is currently experiencing excessive crankcase pressure associated with the PCV system. The vehicle requires PCV service, and I have been advised that the excessive crankcase pressure has contributed to multiple engine oil leaks, including a timing cover leak and front main seal leak. I am concerned that the underlying PCV/crankcase-pressure problem is causing or contributing to these failures rather than these being isolated gasket or seal failures. Excessive crankcase pressure can force engine oil past seals and gaskets, resulting in significant oil loss. This creates a safety concern because an engine oil leak can worsen suddenly and result in substantial loss of engine oil, potentially causing engine damage or engine failure while the vehicle is being driven. Oil contamination of the serpentine belt is also concerning because it can affect the belt's ability to operate properly and may result in belt failure and loss of engine-driven components. I believe the PCV/crankcase ventilation issue should be investigated as a potential underlying defect in…”
“Wipers just stopped working on the highway in a very bad rain storm, when I was taking my daughter to school. We could not see and had to put our hazards on and somehow carefully pull off to the side of the road. We could have easily been rear ended or worse “Killed”. There was no warning given. This was very scary for me and my child. Why isn’t there a recall for the 2016 Equinox??”
“The drivers' side front seatbelt will not retract back into the b pillar when taken off. It will get caught in the door when closing it and prevent the driver's door from closing. The transmission slips out of gear when decelerating and accelerating in traffic. This causes the transmission to slam back into gear.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 347 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 347 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 381 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 381 |
| Equinox FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 459 |
| Equinox AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 482 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 399 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (203), visibility/wiper (114), power train (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox at 18–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox 4 out of 5 stars overall.