Clogged PCV caused engine pressure resulting in failure of rear main seal
2016 chevrolet Equinox engine problems
moderate 159 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
159
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
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 clogged PCV valve caused the rear main seal to fail. The mechanic informed the contact that the PCV valve and rear main seal …
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 shaking and eventually stalled. At that point it was still cover under warranty
Had issue with it burning a TON of oil, solenoid ended up needing replaced. Replaced, and next day engine froze up and shot oil out of the back real seal, and now need replaced engine. Because the back real seal blew, is not being covered by my extended warranty, even though the damage was cause because of a covered part.
EQUINOX SMELLS LIKE BURNING OIL AND NOW IT'S BEGUN TO STALL AT RANDOM TIMES USUALLY WHILE BACKING UP OR FOWARD AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED. HAD THIS VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AND HAVEN'T EVEN PUT 4,000 MILES ON IT. ODOMETER SHOWS 36,645 MILES.
We purchased a 2016 Chevy equinox with a 2.4 eco-tech engine in September 2023 for approximately $14,000 and 95,000 miles. In September 2024, our vehicle seemed to malfunction at a gas station. When my husband attempted to turn the car on, it sputtered and several different lights lit up the dashboard. The car wouldnt start and we had to have it towed. The shop informed us the next day that there…
WIPER LINKAGE HAS FAILED AND PCV VALVE FROZE AND CAUSED REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE
I just got this used car in seemingly great shape, was told it was garage kept and well cared for. Dealer had oil changed before I drove it off the lot. I only had it about one month, had driven about 1,000 miles so far, I check the oil, and dipstick was nearly dry. I threw oil in it and took it for an oil change just in case. No oil leaks, etc. No indication, no oil light, nothing to alert me to …
WE BOUGHT THIS 2016 EQUINOX ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT HAS USED 2.5 GUARTS OF OIL IN LESS THAN 4 THOUSAND MILES. I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET SITES THAT THERE ARE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 159 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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