This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Equinox airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Equinox | 16 |
| 2013 Equinox | 21 |
| 2014 Equinox | 27 |
| 2015 Equinox | 35 |
| 2016 Equinox (this page) | 12 |
| 2017 Equinox | 18 |
| 2018 Equinox | 13 |
| 2019 Equinox | 9 |
| 2020 Equinox | 6 |
6crashes
7injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report four distinct airbag problems on this 2016 Equinox platform. Most serious: multiple owners were in actual collisions—including a high-speed side impact, a 35–40 mph head-on, a 65 mph highway strike, and a low-speed tree impact—where airbags simply did not deploy. One owner and his wife were injured (whiplash, back surgery, knee and stomach injuries) when hit at high speed with no airbag deployment; another had their daughter in a 65 mph collision with no deployment.
Second problem: passenger-side airbag sensors fail or malfunction. One owner at 65,000 miles had the sensor fail; another reports the passenger airbag turns off while an adult is seated, with an owner claiming Chevy is aware but won't recall it. A third owner notes the sensor won't activate when a medically necessary seat cushion is in use.
Third issue: the service airbag warning light comes on—either constantly or intermittently—while driving. When scanned, mechanics find no specific diagnostic code, leaving them to guess at repair costs (one owner was quoted thousands).
Fourth: during one collision, seatbelts locked and pretensioned but airbags never deployed. After seatbelt service, the airbag light remained on.
Same Chevrolet Equinox airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Airbags fail to deploy during frontal and side-impact collisions despite vehicle being struck at various speeds (low-speed tree impact, 35-40 mph head-on, 65 mph highway collision, side-impact at high speed). Multiple owners report impacts where deployment was expected but did not occur.
When: During collisions at low and high speeds; approximately 1,000 miles on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy on impact; Vehicle struck but no airbag inflation occurs; Center console displays 'airbag malfunction' message after collision
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports vehicle was repaired by dealer and independent body shop after collisions; repair details not specified by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner mentions Takata recall; manufacturer notified in some cases but offered no assistance per one complaint
Passenger airbag sensor failure and intermittent deactivation
Passenger-side airbag sensor fails or malfunctions, causing the airbag to deactivate when passenger is seated or triggering false warnings when seat is empty. One owner reports sensor will not activate when a medically necessary cushion is placed on seat. Failure appears intermittent and sporadic.
When: At 65,000 miles on one vehicle; unspecified mileage on others; occurs during all types of driving, idling, and while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning indicator illuminates when seat is empty; Passenger airbag turns off while adult passenger is seated; Airbag sensor fails to recognize occupant with cushion on seat; Faulty connector causes intermittent deactivation
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was diagnosed with failed airbag sensor requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired per owner report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states Chevrolet is aware of condition but will not recall or fix the issue
Airbag warning light malfunction
Service airbag warning light illuminates on instrument cluster, either constantly or intermittently. Owners report light comes on and remains on, or cycles on and off during driving. Diagnostic trouble codes either do not appear or are vague, making root cause difficult for mechanics to identify.
When: Unknown mileage for most; one report at unknown mileage; one report light came on about one day after initial service airbag light
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates and stays on constantly; Service airbag light comes on intermittently while driving; No specific diagnostic code appears when scanned; Mechanics cannot pinpoint cause without guessing
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports mechanics estimate thousands of dollars to diagnose and repair; vehicle not yet repaired per reports
Seatbelt pretensioner activation without airbag deployment
During collision, seatbelt pretensioners engage and lock, but airbags fail to deploy. After seatbelts are serviced, pretensioner lock releases but airbag warning light remains illuminated.
When: During collision; small accident impact
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelts lock and pretension during collision; Airbag system does not deploy; Console displays airbag malfunction message; Airbag service light remains on after seatbelt service
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had seatbelt system serviced; airbag light still on after service
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 47,539 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.