NHTSA has 399 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 211 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and here are the groups from biggest to smallest.
- Engine. 211 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe exhaust smells inside the cabin that left families feeling sick, heavy oil use, and the engine shutting off while taking off or driving.
- Visibility/Wiper. 114 complaints[6]. Owners describe the rear window breaking apart on its own, wipers that stop moving in the rain, and side mirrors that get in the way of the view.
- Unknown Or Other. 32 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a clear part group.
- Power Train. 27 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car rolling after being put in park, odd noises that the maker called normal, and the engine cutting out while driving.
- Electrical System. 24 complaints[9]. Owners describe the instrument cluster going dark, headlights and heater switching off, a burning wire smell, and sudden stalling.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 19 complaints[10].
- Air Bags. 12 complaints[11].
- Speed Control. 9 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Equinox is necessarily included.
- Equipment › Other › Labels (16V449), June 2016. About 17 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[14] | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive[15] | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 22 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 22 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Equinox AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 16 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 |
| Equinox FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[18] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 638 | 1 |
| 2006 | 695 | 0 |
| 2007 | 685 | 4 |
| 2008 | 370 | 0 |
| 2009 | 94 | 0 |
| 2010 | 784 | 3 |
| 2011 | 782 | 3 |
| 2012 | 685 | 3 |
| 2013 | 751 | 2 |
| 2014 | 548 | 1 |
| 2015 | 680 | 2 |
| 2016 | 399 | 1 |
| 2017 | 276 | 0 |
| 2018 | 410 | 5 |
| 2019 | 306 | 4 |
| 2020 | 318 | 4 |
| 2021 | 100 | 4 |
| 2022 | 185 | 6 |
| 2023 | 99 | 3 |
| 2024 | 190 | 2 |
| 2025 | 400 | 6 |
| 2026 | 85 | 3 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Equinox show 399 complaints and 1 recalls for 2016[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 11 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2010 (784)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2016 Equinox?
The 2016 Equinox has 399 complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. The engine group stands out with 211 of them[2]. The visibility and wiper group adds 114 more[6]. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners notice. Check the Recalls section on this page before you buy[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
- The engine group has the most complaints at 211[2], followed by visibility and wipers at 114[6]. See the Problems section for what owners describe.
- Has the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
- Yes, the by-year data lists 1 recall for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page has the details.
- How many complaints does the 2016 Equinox have?
- NHTSA has 399 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several parts.
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
- The complaint record is one signal, with 399 complaints on file[1]. Compare it with the by-year section on this page and read the Problems section before you decide.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Equinox?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Equinox
Other Chevrolet models from 2016
Similar cars from 2016: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 399 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox (14 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 22 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 211 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Equinox model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 114 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,274). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V449, filed June 21, 2016: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Equinox FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Equinox with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 182 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Equinox with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 308 hp. www.epa.gov