VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox sits mid-pack among Equinox years: 487 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 513, with a single recall and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 43% of all reports (208 of 487), far ahead of visibility & wipers at 117. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

487

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

31

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Equinox years?

Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted1,137 complaints2005: 950 complaints2006: 950 complaints2007: 950 complaints2008: 535 complaints2009: 151 complaints2010: 1,118 complaints2011: 1,137 complaints2012: 943 complaints2013: 984 complaints2014: 696 complaints2015: 844 complaints2016: 487 complaints2017: 367 complaints2018: 570 complaints2019: 408 complaints2020: 463 complaints2021: 117 complaints2022: 210 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 111 complaints2025: 331 complaints2026: 92 complaints
Equinox NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Equinox years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20843%
Visibility & Wipers11724%
Other316%
Electrical System306%
Transmission265%
Fuel System214%
Airbags122%
Speed Control92%
Steering71%
Brakes61%
Body & Structure61%
Tires & Wheels51%
Suspension31%
Lighting20%
Driver Assistance20%
Seat Belts10%
Seats10%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V449000OtherJune 21, 2016 · 17 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“This car used so much oil that I had to put it in constantly. Eventually the time belt broke, and the car stopped because it literally had no oil in it causing the engine to blow. This is a known problem I found out later on. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 3, 2025 · crash

“The wipers quit working while I was driving in a thunderstorm. Safety was definitely a risk as I was on a major highway. I pulled over and waited for rain to stop and made it to an auto parts store to replace fuse. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the issue. The recall does not include 2016 equinox. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 4, 2025

“FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS STARTING IN JULY 2017, I'VE HAD TO BRING IT BACK 5 TIMES (LAST WEEK WAS #5) TO THE DEALER DUE TO FLOODING INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. TWICE I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BODY JOINT SEAL (BULLETIN PI1090A), TWICE I WAS TOLD MY SUNROOF DRAINS WERE CLOGGED AND ONCE WAS BECAUSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 24, 2017

“My 2016 Chevrolet Equinox caught on fire about 10 minutes after my accident. I rear ended a pickup truck going about 5-10 miles an hour. Although nobody was hurt, I don't think SUVs should catch on fire. I'm unaware if this problem is frequent in 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, but there wasn't any warning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 20, 2021 · crash · fire

“Coming home from a trip without any warning our 2016 equinox scared me when it made a terrible sound lost power and stopped working. We’re 100’s miles away from home on the side of a road in the dark. We called for towing to a dealer payed for a hotel waited till the next day for it to be…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 10, 2025 · fire

2016 Chevrolet Equinox — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

It is close to typical for the Equinox: 487 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Equinox problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (208 complaints), visibility & wipers (117 complaints), other (31 complaints).

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Equinox years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Equinox years to avoid are 2011, 2010, 2013, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2012, 2015. The cleanest record among Equinox years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.