2016 Chevrolet Equinox Problems

: "I live in my car. The 2016 Equinox 2.4L burned all its oil in 2 weeks with no leaks, failed to give a dashboard warning, and the engine is now knocking, threatening to leave me unsheltered." This ties my vehicle's specific failure to the federal database for future legal payouts.

I started up my car on a cold winter morning and I heard a loud popping noise. I backed up my car minutes later and discovered puddles of oil in front of me in my driveway. I asked my husband to come out and look. He got under the car and said my oil blew out of the rear seal. I was unable to drive my car as the seal was blown. After some investigating I discovered it was the PCV valve that froze and blew out the rear seal. I discovered that Basil Ford was sent this Bulletin and told to clean the PCV valve when people brought their car in. They never reached out and told me to bring the car in to have this done. It could have been an easy fix. I also discovered by researching that people had this happen to them when they were driving on the highway and it caused them accidents. I called GMC and they are telling me my 2016 isn't in the class action suit. Basil wanted way too much money so I took it to Pep Boys and it cost me $3,000 to have the PCV valve replaced with the kit that prevents it from freezing up again and I had to replace my manifold and my rear seal

I am writing to formally document a series of catastrophic mechanical failures regarding the aforementioned vehicle. Despite rigorous maintenance and significant financial investment, the car remains non-drivable, posing a severe safety risk. Chronology of Failures: October 2024: Four months post-purchase, the timing chain failed on I-94. Atwater Chevrolet replaced the component; however, this did not resolve the underlying engine instability. December 3, 2025: Following a dashboard warning light, a Northland Chevrolet dealer replaced the solenoids. At this time, the windshield wiper motor also required replacement. Late December 2025: Shortly after these repairs, the vehicle suffered a major failure of the rear main seal and engine block during sub-freezing temperatures. This caused a total loss of oil and left the driver stranded in hazardous conditions. Maintenance and Disclosure: We have invested over $4,000 in preventative maintenance, including oil changes every 2,800 miles to mitigate known oil consumption issues. At the time of sale, there was no disclosure regarding the inherent engine defects common to this model. Current Status: The vehicle is currently at a dealership and is inoperable. A $10,000 loan balance remains. Current diagnostics suggest a frost plug failure triggered the event. I have contacted GM regarding Bulletin 14882, which addresses identical issues in similar models, but was informed it does not currently attach to this VIN. Furthermore, the extended warranty provider has denied the claim following an inspection, despite the documented manufacturing issues known to affect these engines for several years.

The wiper blade motor is gone out. The tire pressure sensor is off : the oil seems to disappear faster than the sensor

Coming home from a trip without any warning our 2016 equinox scared me when it made a terrible sound lost power and stopped working. We’re 100’s miles away from home on the side of a road in the dark. We called for towing to a dealer payed for a hotel waited till the next day for it to be looked at. Told the engine was blown that the timing belt and everything in there was bent and in pieces 10,000-12,000 dollars to replace. Mind you this car is a ltz and very well talking care of. Without fixing it it’s worth 1000.00. Shame on gmc we should have been notified about issues. This happens at 80,000miles No warranty. I actually thought it caught on fire. Gm step up and take care of your life long customer that have owned Chevy always.

no lights came on my car just became sluggish and I continued to drive up the road trying to get to safe spot to stop and it completely shut off on me I had to push out of road thankfully no one was behind me. I had towed to mechanic and he said my timing belt skipped and it had no oil has bent valves and piston damage and that I need a new engine

In Feb 2025, I was driving, a day after a snow storm, on the highway when without warning my car stopped accelerating, and just shut down. The mechanic said my oil was all over the ground. He also stated that there's a defect in the 2.4l ecotec motors and the pistons broke on my vehicle. Now I have to pay $3500 to rebuild my motor. He stated that the vehicle has a higher oil consumption rate/ leaks and you will never know

Snowy conditions. All of the traction control, stabilitrak, and abs systems are working normally. Sometimes when i accelerate and the wheels start to spin the whole infotainment console turns off. Its almost like the battery is dead for a few seconds then everything turns back on.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle on a cold, snowy day, there was oil on the driveway. There was a fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was related to the PCV system. The mechanic stated that the PCV valve was clogged, causing the gasket to fail. The vehicle was partially repaired. The mechanic later informed the contact that other repairs were necessary. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN for the repair. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the vehicle with a gasoline odor coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

This car used so much oil that I had to put it in constantly. Eventually the time belt broke, and the car stopped because it literally had no oil in it causing the engine to blow. This is a known problem I found out later on.

It doesn't make sense how much oil this thing burns. We just had the oil changed last month and prior to that we've replaced the solenoids. Why in heavens did this vehicle stall out yesterday when my husband was driving on the highway saying engine power reduced. This vehicle is costing a fortune. There is truly something wrong with these engines! This could have cause a major crash. Thank goodness no one got hurt.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The warning light remained illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the weight sensor on the front passenger’s seat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Was in a small accident the air bags never deployed but the seat belts locked saying that I needed to service my air bag system. As I did. The seat belts are no longer locked but the light is still on and the car is telling me to servic we the airbag system

My son was driving when the steering "locked" into one position which caused him to leave the interstate, cross the median, across oncoming traffic and roll the vehicle three times. He suffered a lower back injury and his passenger only encountered minor cuts. We were not aware of any issues at the time. We did not have the vehicle inspected after the crash. No warnings or prior warnings were displayed by the car.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The failure persisted and became a complete failure. The contact stated that the “Service Power Steering” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Firestone Certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for assistance. The certified mechanic had diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,688.

Severe oil consumption which could lead to damage to engine and vehicle failure when driving, which could cause an accident or worse. The dealer stated that the rear main seal could blow out and cause the vehicle failure. Defective parts that GM is aware of, but not addressing to the owners. There is a service bulletin (14882) that dealers are aware of concerning this issue, for an extended warranty of 120,000 or 10 years, no charge to customers to repair. Part#12591866.crankshaft real oil seal. The dealer refuses to honor it.

THE ROOF OF MY 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THE CLEAR COAT HAS STARTED TO BUBBLE AND LIFT IN BLOTCHES. THIS CAR IS THE TITANIUM COLOR (DARK GREY METALLIC) I'VE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR. THIS IS MY FIRST GM VEHICLE THAT I'VE EVER PURCHASED NEW. MY CAR IS UNDER COVER IN A CAR PORT. THE VIN# INDICATES IT WAS BUILT IN CANADA. I BELIEVE GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAINT DETERIORATING ON A 5 YEAR OLD CARIN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

Engine keeps failing, on a 3rd engine replacement. The car is defective and burns too much oil

02/19/2022 WHILE DRIVING DOWN STEEP DIRT ROAD CLOSE TO WHERE WE LIVE THE BRAKE PEDDLE SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. WE RAPIDLY DROVE DOWN THIS STEEP INCLINE WITHOUT ANY BREAKS THE CAR BOUNCED VILOLANTLY UNTILL WE GOT TO THE BOTTOM AT THAT POINT THE BRAKE PEDDLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. DROVE STRIGHT HOME WITHOUT A REPEAT OF NO BRAKES. WILL CALL CHEVY DEALER ON 02-22-2022 TO COME AND GET IT AND CHECK IT OUT

right front wheel assembly is bad.

Transfer case and front differential failure. No warning lights came on beforehand

Purchased vehicle certified pre owned May 2019 with 56,000 miles. In June 2019 replaced front tire that were new due to passenger tire wear also New battery and oil change..Jan 2020 had to have front main seal oil ring replaced. Oil changes done every 3 to 7 thousand miles. Have a 2 sets of tires put on .Have had some hesitation problems throughout while.driving. But never did find cause. Took to chevy dealer on Nov 3rd for windshield wiper motor replacement. Picked up on Nov. 5th. Have had issues with starting since picked up had to carry jump start box in car. Car was parked until I could get a new battery approx 1 week. Put new battery in drove to work for about 2 days still.had issues. Traction stability light had came on never went off. Parked car for another week or so Drove 2 miles down road to store. While driving car was loosing power. Screen went out and engine reduced power light came on and died. Waited about 15 min jump.started .got about 10 feet car went into.Limp mode got it home . Would not start ..got a list of codes. Replaced starter, camshaft and crankshaft sensor, new pcm, valve cover. Amd another battery. Car has not ran since. Motor is blown. Car has been down since Dec. 15th 2021. I have lost my job. Due to not being dependent on getting to work. Have looked into repair cost about 7 to 8 thousand that I cam not afford and still Makin car payments. This is a Manufacture defect and could have been alot worse if I was going any faster or been out in the dark stranded somewhere. Hard to believe a regular maintain vehicle would just die the way it did. Someone or something needs to be done ..Not fair to have to pay over $15000 and still making payments on a lawn ornament. When Chevrolet has none about this issue and refuses to fix. Knowing the engines will blow a rod do to the oil issue ..

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.

The ambient light sensor is very sensitive. There can be full sunlight, but if I go in the shadow of a truck or a tree, the sensor dims the dashboard lighting. If I go under any sort of bridge, no matter how short, the dash goes dark. Sometimes it takes over 10 minutes for it to go back to normal. The ambient light sensor should be facing straight up at the sky. Also, the sensor should be connected to the vehicles GPS and the clock for the time of day. I rely on the info center on the dash for the GPS and other items. If I cannot see the info center, it can lead to a collision. I have brought my vehicle to the dealer and they refuse to do anything. Also, during the day, I use prescription sunglasses while driving, so it makes it really difficult. Thank you.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN DUSK OR DAWN, THE HEADLAMP BEAMS WERE TOO DIM TO PROJECT A VISIBLE LIGHT TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 03/29/17LJ *CN

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while the vehicle gear was in park; he switched from the driver's seat to the passenger seat with his wife. His wife was taking over to become the driver. While attempting to change drivers, the vehicle inadvertently reversed. The wife was trying to stop the vehicle while being partially in and partially out of the vehicle. The vehicle dragged the wife into an area of bushes. The contact stated while the passenger door was still open, when it accidentally hit him and knocked him over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The police and medical team arrived on the scene. The contact believed a police report was filed. There was no medical treatment on the scene. The contact stated the wife was bruised from the waist to both feet. The contact believed he cracked his rib. The wife will be examined by a urologist and nephrologist. The right front passenger door and entire rear bumper were damaged. The vehicle was strapped together, and the contact drove it home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to transmission issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal sounds and then stalled. The warning message “Low Engine Pressure” was displayed. The contact’s daughter was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The contact’s husband, a Ford mechanic diagnosed that the PCM valve had frozen, built-up pressure in the engine, and blew out the pressure which ruptured the rear main seal. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact’s husband that it was a known failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE ELECTRONIC SEAT FUNCTION WAS DEACTIVATED, THE SEATS CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX, MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR 17" P225/65R17 100T LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A MAJOR BLOWOUT ON THE EXTERIOR SIDEWALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN LESS THAN 500 MILES -- TOTAL. ALL TIRES WERE BRAND NEW, PROPERLY INFLATED AND MAINTAINED. NO NAIL OR OBVIOUS PUNCTURE POINT WAS FOUND. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE IN CLEAR WEATHER. TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES. BLOWOUT OCCURRED DURING 10-MINUTE DRIVE OVER SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE BLOWOUT, WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH ABOUT LOW TIRE PRESSURE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED FOR FREE.

Was in a small accident the air bags never deployed but the seat belts locked saying that I needed to service my air bag system. As I did. The seat belts are no longer locked but the light is still on and the car is telling me to servic we the airbag system