Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
400 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 209, 6× a quiet Equinox year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 63k and 112k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Equinox owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 209 (52%) | 63k–112k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 120 (30%) | 55k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 27 (7%) | 50k–92k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 21 (5%) | 49k–116k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 12 (3%) | 25k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 25 (6%) | 22k–79k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 6 (2%) | 15k–67k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 6 (2%) | 30k–82k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 400 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
PCV valve froze causing rear main seal leak. Car began to leak excessive oil.
The car consumes massive amounts of oil, like the previous model years. No warning is given that the vehicle runs out of oil causing damage to the pistons, timing chains and engine.
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox: 1
The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 434
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2015 Equinox: 679 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Equinox: 276 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chevrolet Equinox year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Equinox years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox a bad year?
400 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 209, 6× a quiet Equinox year. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox were filed between 63k and 112k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (209), visibility and wipers (120), transmission and drivetrain (27), fuel system (21), air bags (12). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 63k–112k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Tires (NHTSA 16V-449). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.