This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Equinox visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have filed 108 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 74,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
108
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Equinox | 115 |
| 2013 Equinox | 145 |
| 2014 Equinox | 178 |
| 2015 Equinox | 264 |
| 2016 Equinox (this page) | 108 |
| 2017 Equinox | 8 |
| 2018 Equinox | 13 |
| 2019 Equinox | 3 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 108 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Visibility accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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 PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Special Coverage. On certain 2010-2012 model year and 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, the ball joints in the front windshield wiper modules of these vehicles may experience high corrosion and wear that could result in the separation of one or more ball joints from their sockets during wiper operation. If a ball joint were to separate, one or both of the windshield wipers could become inoperative. Dealers are to inspect the front wiper assembly and replace the wiper linkages or module as necessary. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox shows a persistent pattern of windshield wiper failure during rain and snow, typically striking without warning at highway speeds. Owners report wipers suddenly stopping mid-sweep—sometimes on the driver side only, sometimes both—while the motor continues running but the blades won't move. Several narratives describe the linkage arm bushing or ball joint detaching from the motor transmission, occasionally leaving a wiper frozen partially off the windshield or dragging at odd angles. The failure often occurs within minutes of activation during heavy downpours or storms. Owners consistently report zero warning signs beforehand and have had to pull onto shoulders or medians, some waiting hours for rain to pass before driving. Repair costs cited range from $215 to $614 for wiper transmission replacement. Several owners note that a 2015 model carried a recall for the identical issue but the 2016 was excluded, and some mention GM's "special coverage" (case N192266180, dated December 2019) that owners say they were never notified of. One owner reported the same failure recurred after a $500+ repair. A few narratives also reference corrosion or wear on plastic components and metal fasteners, with one owner's mechanic stating the plastic ball joint has no clip or screw to retain it, relying instead on press-fit design that deteriorates over time. One complaint about side-mirror blind spots (narrative #5) and one about rear window spontaneous breakage (narrative #48) fall outside the wiper failure pattern and are isolated incidents.
Same Chevrolet Equinox visibility reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Wiper Motor-to-Transmission Linkage Disconnection
Ball joint bushing or plastic connector linking the wiper motor to the transmission arm detaches or wears apart, causing total loss of wiper blade movement while the motor continues to run. The linkage arm may hang partially off the windshield or become immobilized.
When: Occurs mid-use during rain/snow, often within 5–10 minutes of activation or during wipers on high; some failures at 47,916 miles, others at 139,000+ miles, suggesting variable onset
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop moving abruptly mid-sweep without warning; Wiper motor audibly running but blades frozen or unresponsive; Wiper arm dragging off windshield or protruding at odd angle; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Clicking or mechanical noise from motor area
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships and independent shops repair by replacing wiper transmission assembly, which can cost $215–$614. Some owners report the replacement uses the same assembly design and failures recur within weeks to months. One shop mechanic noted the plastic ball joint lacks a securing clip and relies on press-fit design; bushings are difficult to install without a press.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued special coverage adjustment N192266180 (dated December 2019) for affected Equinoxes, but owners report no notification of the program. A 2015 Equinox recall exists for the same ball-joint issue, but 2016 models were excluded despite identical failure reports. Some dealerships initially denied warranty coverage, citing corrosion or fastener wear as not covered.
Wiper Linkage Arm Bushing Corrosion and Wear
Plastic bushing on the wiper linkage arm corrodes or wears down, losing thread engagement or structural integrity. The ball-stud connection deteriorates, allowing the arm to pop free under operational stress.
When: Can occur as early as 50,000 miles; reported across 47,916 to 167,125 miles; one owner had repeated failures within two years
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers suddenly fail during heavy rain or snow operation; Audible 'pop' or 'click' before loss of function; Visible corrosion or wear on ball-stud fastener area (per owner photos referenced); Plastic bushing stripped of threads or visibly corroded
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic charged $72 for diagnosis only; another attempted to replace bushing alone but the fix failed. Permanent repair requires linkage assembly replacement (~$100–$500+). One owner stated GM no longer supplies individual bushings and mandates full assembly replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for 2016 model year despite near-identical complaints about the 2014–2015 recall. One dealership informed an owner of a pending recall that had not been issued at time of complaint (May 2021). Special coverage N192266180 exists but owners report no notification.
Wiper Motor Transmission Failure
The wiper transmission (motor-to-linkage interface) fails or burns out, preventing wiper blade motion even though the motor itself runs and makes noise. May indicate internal corrosion, loss of lubrication, or mechanical breakdown of the transmission housing.
When: Reported at 62,000 miles, 87,000 miles, and other higher mileages; one owner's vehicle was only four years old at failure
Symptoms owners cite: Motor runs and makes mechanical noise but wipers do not move; Sudden, complete loss of wiper function during rain or snow; No warning or prior symptoms; Motor audibly 'burnt out' or inoperable per shop diagnosis
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost $614 per one dealership estimate. One shop initially misdiagnosed as motor failure; closer inspection revealed the motor was intact and the transmission was the failed component.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response documented. Dealers treated as non-warranty repairs.
Synthesized from 108 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving with windshield wipers on, they suddenly stopped working. The wipers were stuck in position in the center of my windshield. Upon inspection, it appeared that one of the arms had become disconnected from the piece it was connected to. Snapped right off during unsafe driving conditions.
I was driving on the highway in the rain and my windshield wiper stopped in the middle of my windshield.
Wipers suddenly stop working when driving
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 108 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 55,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 74,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.