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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX
2016 · chevrolet

chevrolet Equinox problems

1 safety recall. 388 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
159 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
visibility
108 reports · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
25 reports · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
20 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
12 reports · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
7 reports · avg $600
moderate
steering
7 reports · avg $700
severe
body
4 reports · avg $1,500
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Equinox · electrical
VEHICLE WAS PARKED,STARTED FINE BACKED UP OUT OF SPACE. WHEN PULLING FORWARD THE WARNING BUSSER CAME ON AND DISPLAY READ STABIL TRACK. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE AFTER 2MIN. I RESTARTED ENGINE, THE WARNING STAYED ON. DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO DEALERSHIP,WAS TOLD…
12/30/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292010.0
2016 Equinox · powertrain
This is my second submission hoping someone contacts me [XXX] Thanks INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
12/29/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499449.0
2016 Equinox · engine
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the PCV valve was clogged due to the cold weather. The…
12/28/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499240.0
2016 Equinox · engine
Was driving on the highway and the car lost power and shut down and wouldn’t start again. It was towed to a mechanic where I was told the timing jumped and I needed a new engine. I bought the car used in 2018 and not even 2 months after the car was burning oil the car started…
12/26/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561845.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V449000 21/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 159 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Equinox has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 388 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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