The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA, including 14 crashes, 3 fires, 22 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (203 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 4 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2016 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
Wrong tire and pressure labels could lead to a crash
Some certification labels on these vehicles may list incorrect tire and rim sizes or cold tire pressure.
Most common 2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Problem areas named in the 399 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 203 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 114 |
| Unknown Or Other | 32 |
| Power Train | 27 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
What owners report
The drivers' side front seatbelt will not retract back into the b pillar when taken off. It will get caught in the door when closing it and prevent the driver's door from closing. The transmission slips out of gear when decelerating and accelerating in traffic. This causes the transmission to slam back into gear.
I am filing this complaint regarding a safety-related engine problem with my 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. My vehicle is currently experiencing excessive crankcase pressure associated with the PCV system. The vehicle requires PCV service, and I have been advised that the excessive crankcase pressure has contributed to multiple engine oil leaks, including a timing cover leak and front main seal leak. I am concerned that the underlying PCV/crankcase-pressure problem is causing or contributing to these failures rather than these being isolated gasket or seal failures. Excessive crankcase pressure can force engine oil past seals and gaskets, resulting in significant oil loss. This creates a safety c
Timing chain guide broke and caused catastropic engine failure while driving 70 miles an hour on the highway causing steering, brakes etc to lock up putting me and my family at risk of accident and great bodily harm. Vehicle is available for inspection. No prior knowledge of mechanic problems due to only having purchased the vehicle from Mac's Chevrolet 4 months prior. Have since learned of the oil consumption issue associated with this year equinox which likely contributed to the timing chain failure. Vehicle has been inspected by two independent mechanics. This vehicle completely locking up on the highway at this speed could have killed us all if near another vehicle or semi.
Wipers just stopped working on the highway in a very bad rain storm, when I was taking my daughter to school. We could not see and had to put our hazards on and somehow carefully pull off to the side of the road. We could have easily been rear ended or worse âKilledâ. There was no warning given. This was very scary for me and my child. Why isnât there a recall for the 2016 Equinox??
In February of 2025, while driving my 2016 Chevy Equinox home from work, I heard a loud pop and loss of engine power a block from home. The weather conditions at the time were below freezing and light snow. After getting my vehicle home, my neighbor, who works for GM looked under my Equinox and discovered the rear main oil seal had blown and informed me this was a known issue with the GM 2.4L Ecotec engine. The GM 2.4L Ecotec engine contains a nonâserviceable Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system that uses a fixed orifice built into the intake manifold instead of a replaceable PCV valve. In cold weather, moisture and vapor inside the crankcase can freeze or accumulate as sludge wi
2016 Chevrolet Equinox safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (17.4% rollover risk) |
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox SUV FWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
2016 Chevrolet Equinox questions
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox: Wrong tire and pressure labels could lead to a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
Based on 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (203), Visibility/Wiper (114), Unknown Or Other (32).
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox up to 4 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Chevrolet Equinox has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.