This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The 2016 Equinox is not keeping oil in the engine. Therefore, the engine is unsafe and extremely dangerous - there is no warning! It will just stop in traffic! Life threatening to driver, passengers and other vehicles on the road.
Rear main seal blew due to freezing condensation in the pcv valve. The vehicle is at the dealership but can be available for inspection. This happened in an isolated area, when temperatures were below -15 degrees with the windchill. The vehicle started leaking oil and was not drivable, so me and my elderly mother were broke down on the side of the road in freezing temperatures! The problem have been verified by a transmission shop as well as a GM certified dealership. The vehicle has been inspected by a transmission shop, as well as a GM dealership, and a 3rd party investigator from my extended warranty company. There were no warning lights or indications prior to the vehicle starting to pour oil out from underneath it!
Make: Chevy ---- Model: Equinox ----- Year: 2016 ----- Mileage: Just under 78,000 miles ----- Component or system: Rear main seal failed leaking nearly all the oil left in the vehicle over the course of a few minutes of driving, which also left a dinner sized plate of oil underneath the car after parking in my garage. ----- Available upon request: Incident occurred 1/14/2025, with diagnosis from dealer on 1/15/2025. As of this moment the vehicle is still available and is being held by the mechanic while I decide on next course of action (repair or scrap). ----- How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" I luckily made it home before all of the oil had depleted but this could have caused engine damage and failure while driving. The repair shop noted they did not notice any signs of engine damage but they are worried that engine damage may have occurred. There is no warning on the dash or computer related to the seal breaking or oil being almost entirely depleted. ----- Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It was brought in to a local repair shop who I personally trust which also has a 4.8 stars with 700 ratings on google. They degreased the car due to the oil everywhere and noted the rear main seal on the car had a massive leak and the car is non-operable in this condition. ----- Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer mentioned above. ----- Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" There is no warning or check engine light on the dash or computer related to the seal breaking or oil being almost entirely depleted.
The timing chain has to be replaced and I'd like to know why there hasn't been a recall on the equinox because they are notoriously known for going out on them on models from 2010 and up I had no idea about this when I purchased this vehicle I normally only purchase Chevy but I'm gonna have rethink that if your not willing to stand behind your product
With no warning my 2016 equinox-??s engine began to fail functioning, reduced engine power warning displayed, then the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Professional mechanical review has indicated excessive oil consumption and timing chain issues regardless of a regular documented maintenance and oil changes
- Rotterdam, NY, USA
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After the car is parked, the gears will not allow shifting, they are jammed, the vehicle can not move. This has been happening on and off and started in 2022. Our son, is a new driver and he has been stranded in locations for over 2 hours unable to put the car in gear. This problem has been confirmed by a Chevrolet dealership and we were quoted approximately $2,000 to have this part completely replaced. In addition, we have had several mechanics attempt to fix this unsuccessfully. This happens on occasion, but continues to happen enough and prohibit us from driving longer distances. This is a safety concern, as it will take up to 3 hours or longer to get the gears to shift. The vehicle will turn on, the main problem is that we are unable to shift and get out of park.
Excessive oil consumption with no low oil indicator being triggered. Started around 99200 miles have to check oil frequently and add around 2 quarts a month.
Water pump failure. Was driving and vehicle overheated and lost coolest. Was confirmed at service station bad water pump and should not have went bad with only 48000 miles. Received warning message vehicle is overheated. Pulled over when able and vehicle was leaking.
Bought my equinox from CarMax last Feb. I am hearing a 'knock, knock, knock, knock' coming from the back. It been going on for a while now and no one seem to know why. The car also do a jerking when at stop
As I exit off of any freeway or go down any incline I tap the brakes to take the car down slowly and it cannot seem to grab the brakes? It shimmies as it-??s going down although I-??m trying to keep steering wheel completely straight. Chevy dealer has check this problem twice it is never the brakes but they cannot tell me what the problem is. Meanwhile I-??m driving an unsafe vehicle. Also it has previous owner damage when I bought the car they stated the car has never been in an accident.
My car started on its own while I was standing outside talking to my parents on thanksgiving day of last year. My keys and my cell phone both were in the car at the time, so I am certain that there was no way that I may have accidentally started my car myself and am confused as to why it cranked on its own. I am wondering if my mychevy app was hacked or malfunctioned on my phone or if there is an electrical problem with my car. It has not happened again but I am very concerned about it. Can you please check into this for me?
Current miles: 66,190. Check engine light came on and right after car began stalling at read light. I had to get on the freeway to get back home and car lost power. So, next day I went to get a diagnosis. Was told the camshaft time position intake and exhaust valves needed replaced. Was told oil levels were perfectly fine and an oil change was not needed. Was told issue is a common problem with Chevy Equinox's from a certified mechanic, but there hasn't been a recall issued for the problem. Also was told by the certified mechanic that this part/component should last the life time of the engine and usually needs replaced after 100K or more miles. So I googled to see how common the problem was, and sure enough many Equinox owner had the same issue from different years/models. People lives and families are at risk.
My 2016 Chevy Equinox randomly stalls while driving, at any random time. No lights or warnings go off to let me know that this is going to happen, it just stops. Everything turns off, the steering wheel locks and all power shuts off. You have to stop and throw it in park and restart it. It usually does restart right away but this is extremely dangerous. Most of the time it happens when you try to move from a complete stop or slow down, but it has happened a few times while in drive. Vehicle stalls when in motion and when stopped. Vehicle stalled on residential roads. I believe the problem could be the piston rings or crank sensor.
The chrome plating on the inside door handles are lifting from the plastic. The chrome plating is sharp like a sheet metal material and sliced open my husband's middle finger when he was opening the door to exit the vehicle. It sliced so deep he required medical attention. The chrome plating is also lifting from other areas on the dash and inner doors.
While driving the vehicle, it will randomly turn off. I will then have to place the vehicle in park, turn off the vehicle, and restart it in order to begin driving again. This happened while turning.
I hit a hole and my passenger front tire and rim were damaged and I could not move car, had car towed. The dealership claimed the only damage was to the wheel, rim and needed an alignment. Two days later front drivers side making a loud noise, shaking when driving and noticed it was leaking a fluid. Returned to dealership, resubmitted to insurance company. Insurance would not pay stayed wear and tear. They found play in front links. Need to replace both front stabilizer links, left front axle seal leaking, replaced axle seal and axle. My car had 29000 miles and regular maintenance and tire rotation. Not understanding why this is wear and tear especially 1 week after bumper to bumper expired and car was in for service and check two weeks prior. Either Chevy or insurance company is a fraud!!! can provide pictures and documentation.
While driving in pouring rain the wipers quit working. They quit abruptly while on left of windshield and on full power. Could not see to drive on 4 lane divided highway. Was able to slowly drive to a wide berm and stop. Turned wipers off and on, they would not work. Had to wait on roadside for rain to pass. I know there was a recall on 2012 and 2014 models, but not yet on the 2016.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Milton, WI, USA