Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Owners filed 399 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (203).

Complaints
399
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine203
  2. Visibility/wiper114
  3. Power train27
  4. Electrical system24
  5. Fuel/propulsion system19
  6. Air bags12
  7. Engine and engine cooling9
  8. Vehicle speed control9
  9. Steering7
  10. Structure6
  11. Visibility6
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  13. Wheels5
  14. Service brakes5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
201614
201714
201817
201938
202043
202130
202253
202374
202454
202543
202618

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

203 reports2 crashes3 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026EngineODI 11768923

Visibility/wiper

114 reports
“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??”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11766510

Power train

27 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2026Power train, Seat beltsODI 11771865

Electrical system

24 reports1 crash1 fire
“In Feb 2025, I was driving, a day after a snow storm, on the highway when without warning my car stopped accelerating, and just shut down. The mechanic said my oil was all over the ground. He also stated that there's a defect in the 2.4l ecotec motors and the pistons broke on my vehicle. Now I have to pay $3500 to rebuild my motor. He stated that the vehicle has a higher oil consumption rate/ leaks and you will never know”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11658343

Fuel/propulsion system

19 reports1 crash1 fire
“When temperatures were around 0 degrees, I was driving to work and I started hearing a noise and the car was shaking. I oil all over the ground and checked the oil once parked, the dip stick had no oil and there was white foam under the oil cap. This issue could've cause me to lose control of my vehicle while driving, putting myself and anyone around me at risk. I had the vehicle towed to a dealership where they found out that the rear main seal failed. They replaced the rear main seal along with the front main seal and sent me on my way. I had no issues for the next month, but the weather went back below 0 degrees and the same issue happened again, this time there was ice found in the intake manifold. This repair is being completed now. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the dealership. No warning light, messages or any other symptoms were present prior to the failure. The engine light DID NOT turn on when the seal "blew" but did turn on after turning the car off and back on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11643659

Air bags

12 reports6 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The warning light remained illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the weight sensor on the front passenger’s seat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2025Air bagsODI 11690993
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.