2016 Chevrolet Equinox problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 396 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, filed between 2015-10-06 and 2026-09-23. The most common problem areas are the engine (201, 51%), visibility/wiper (114, 29%) and power train (26, 7%). Owners reported 14 crashes, 3 fires and 22 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Chevrolet Equinox complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 201 | 51% | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Visibility/wiper | 114 | 29% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 32 | 8% | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Power train | 26 | 7% | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 6% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 5% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 12 | 3% | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 6 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 6 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 201 complaints
- 201 complaints of 396 (51%) name the engine.
- 17 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Visibility/wiper: 114 complaints
- 114 complaints of 396 (29%) name the visibility/wiper — the windshield, windows, mirrors, wipers and defrosters.
- 7 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Power train: 26 complaints
- 26 complaints of 396 (7%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 17 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire and 7 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Electrical system: 24 complaints
- 24 complaints of 396 (6%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 13 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 19 complaints
- 19 complaints of 396 (5%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 16 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
Air bags: 12 complaints
- 12 complaints of 396 (3%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 2 of them also name the engine; owners reported 6 crashes and 7 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 43 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 54 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 15 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names EQUINOX, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox's most common problem areas are the engine (201 of 396 complaints), visibility/wiper (114 of 396 complaints) and power train (26 of 396 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have?
NHTSA has 396 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, including 14 reported crashes and 3 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox's problems?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.