2016 Chevrolet Equinox Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 08/25/2026

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 concern because an engine oil leak can worsen suddenly and result in substantial loss of engine oil, potentially causing engine damage or engine failure while the vehicle is being driven. Oil contamination of the serpentine belt is also concerning because it can affect the belt's ability to operate properly and may result in belt failure and loss of engine-driven components. I believe the PCV/crankcase ventilation issue should be investigated as a potential underlying defect in the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a recurring safety defect involving the PCV system, excessive crankcase pressure, resulting oil-seal/gasket failures, and associated oil contamination in these vehicles. I am also concerned that owners may be required to pay for multiple repairs to correct the consequences of an underlying PCV/crankcase pressure problem. The vehicle is currently in need of repair for the PCV system, excessive crankcase pressure, front main seal, timing cover gasket, and oil-contaminated serpentine belt. The timing chain may also require replacement depending on the inspection and extent of damage. Documents are included.

ENGINE — Filed 09/01/2026

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.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 09/23/2026

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 “Killed”. There was no warning given. This was very scary for me and my child. Why isn’t there a recall for the 2016 Equinox??

ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 11/03/2025

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.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2025

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.

STEERING — Filed 07/07/2024

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.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 06/14/2023

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

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/16/2022

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.

ENGINE — Filed 01/27/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 32 MPH, the contact was veering off the highway exit ramp and noticed in the rear-view mirror that there was black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact got off the exit ramp and became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact activated the hazard light and drove to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear main seal had blown out and that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/01/2016

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that his vehicle had been involved in two accidents and that the airbags failed to deploy as needed in both accidents. In the first accident, the contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, a tree had fallen right in front of his vehicle. The contact was not able to stop the vehicle in time which caused him to run over the tree. The contact stated that the airbags did not deploy. The contact did not suffer any injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where they repaired the damage to the vehicle. The second failure occurred while the contact was at a stoplight and another vehicle on the opposite side of traffic had hit his vehicle's driver side at a high rate of speed. The air bags again did not deploy upon impact. The contact and his wife were both taken to the hospital where he was treated for whiplash to his neck and arms. After months of chronic pain, the contact also had back surgery. The contact's wife was treated for injuries to her left knee and stomach, as well as whiplash to her neck. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 06/20/2021

My 2016 Chevrolet Equinox caught on fire about 10 minutes after my accident. I rear ended a pickup truck going about 5-10 miles an hour. Although nobody was hurt, I don't think SUVs should catch on fire. I'm unaware if this problem is frequent in 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, but there wasn't any warning of the sudden fire that appeared from the engine, i.e. sirens, sounds from within the car. I'm unaware if Chevrolet, law enforcement or the insurance company has inspected the vehicle after the accident?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/30/2020

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.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/20/2019

TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR INFLATE IN FRONT COLLISION.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/11/2018

DRIVING SOUTHBOUND GOING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY. 5X4 BUCK STRUCK HEAD-ON WITH EQUINOX AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS RESTRAINED BY HER SEATBELT, HOWEVER, WITH THE SPEEDS AND IMPACT THERE WAS FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEPLOY.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/25/2018

NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ALTHOUGH HEAD ON COLLISION INTO 2 PARKED CARS

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/15/2017

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER RAN A STOP SIGN AND I RAN INTO THE SIDE OF HIS CAR HEAD ON, I WAS GOING BETWEEN 35-40MILES PER HOUR. I WAS DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE CAR CENTER CONSOLE STATED THAT THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN LITTLETON COLORADO.

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE — Filed 10/26/2018

MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT OCT 26, 2018 @ APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PM.. HE WAS TURNING LEFT ON HIGHWAY RT. 50 IN MT. STORM, WV WITH SIGNAL LIGHT ON TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. A TRUCK DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FROM BEHIND ATTEMPTED TO PASS HIM ON THE LEFT EVEN THOUGH MY SON WAS ALREADY TURNING LEFT. THE TRUCK HIT DIRECTLY ON HIS FRONT LEFT TIRE BY A VEHICLE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND WE ARE UNSURE OF ADDITIONAL DAMAGES UNTIL THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTS IT. THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN MY SON HITTING THE SIDE WINDOW AND DIAGNOSED WITH CERVICAL SPRAIN. DRIVER WAS DRINKING AND ADMITTED TO DRIVING 65-70 MPH. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/23/2017

BACKING DOWN A STEEP DRIVEWAY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WORKING FINE THE FIRST SEVERAL SECONDS THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND CAR ROLLED ACROSS A BUSY STREET JUMPING THE CURB AND HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE AND FENCE. NO PERSON OR VEHICLE NOR MY VEHICLE WAS HIT FORTUNATELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE RENTAL COMPANY BROUGHT ME A NEWER EQUINOX AND THE DAY AFTER WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN HOTEL GARAGE APPLYING BRAKES THE BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR HITTING WALL AS I PUT GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK BUT IT HAD ALREADY HIT THE WALL.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/29/2017

I PARKED THE CAR ON MY DRIVE WAY I DID NOT TURN IT OFF I RETURN TO THE CAR TO TURN IT OFF IT ROLL BACK I HAD THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN IT NOCKED ME DOWN AND THE ROLLED OVER MY RIGHT KNEE IT WAS IS IN PARK IT AND MY IT SELF WENT IN TO NEUTRAL THE DRIVES SIDE TIRE WAS ON MY RIGHT KNEE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/24/2017

THE EQUINOX WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WHILE RUNNING THEN WENT INTO THE DITCH

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/01/2016

ON OCTOBER 1, MY MOTHER (PASSENGER) AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLL BACK ACCIDENT AT MY APARTMENT COMPLEX. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I REMAINED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOR 1-2 MINUTES. I RETURNED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OPENED THE DOOR, AND PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE CABIN. UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACK, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE VEHICLE DOOR, WITH HALF OF MY BODY/EXTREMITIES (THE RIGHT SIDE) IN THE CABIN, AND MY LEFT EXTREMITIES OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRAGGED 10-15 FEET. MY MOTHER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WITH HER WITH SAFETY BELT. THE VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT (WITH A 6-7 FOOT DROP) THAT LEADS TO A GAZEBO THAT COVERS OUR MAILING CENTER. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE WOODEN FENCING AND THE ROOF AND COLUMNS OF THE GAZEBO. THE FRONT END WAS STUCK IN THE EMBANKMENT; THE REAR END CRASHED INTO THE ROOF, BUT WAS SUSPENDED ABOVE A 6-7 FOOT DROP. POLICE AND FIREMEN ASSESSED THE SITUATION, AND SUSPECTED THAT THE INCIDENT MAY HAVE HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION AND/OR BREAK SYSTEM. NO FAULT WAS DETERMINED IN THE INCIDENT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 07/12/2016

I'M WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX RENTED FROM ENTERPRISE IN HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 12,022 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AS TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN AHEAD OF ME I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I WAS IMMEDIATELY SHOCKED WITH DISBELIEF THAT MY VEHICLE SLIGHTLY IMPACTED WITH THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME INSTEAD OF STOPPING 5 OR 10 FEET BEFORE THAT VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND OR FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY COMPARED TO ALL VEHICLES I'VE OWNED OR RENTED FOR OVER 50 YEARS. CONVINCED THAT THERE MUST BE AN UNDERLYING ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL PEP BOYS. THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED "BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR MORE THAN HALF EMPTY" (SEE 2 PAGE ATTACHMENT). I'M NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A SLOW LEAK IN THE LINE OR IF THE BRAKE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN FILLED SUFFICIENTLY. FROM MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE I DON'T EVER RECALL A NEW CAR REQUIRING THE ADDITION OF BRAKE FLUID AFTER ONLY 12,022 MILE OF USAGE. I AM HOWEVER FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT THIS UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF THE RENTAL VEHICLE HAD CONTAINED THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID. I FELT OBLIGATED TO REPORT THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE TO YOU SO YOU CAN INVESTIGATE IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTED INSTANCES OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS RESULTING IN INEFFECTUAL BRAKING AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENTS. *TR

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/18/2016

CAR STARTED SMELLING HORRIBLE ANYTIME IT WAS RUNNING, WOULD MAKE ME AND MY KIDS PHYSICALLY SICK BREATHING THE AIR COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE.MY DAUGHTER HAD PNEUMONIA 4 MONTHS AGO, AND MY HUSBAND HAD A SEVERE CASE OF PNEUMONIA 2 WEEKS AGO. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE RESPIRATORY RELATED PROBLEMS IN THE LAST YEAR THE ENTIRE FAMILY HAS BEEN HAVING. CHEVY WOULD NOT LOOK AT MY CAR, I CALLED MULTIPLKE TIMES TELLING THEM MY CAR IS SO FOUL SMELLING I CANT DRIVE IT ANYMORE AND ITS NOT A DEAD ANMIAL BECAUSE WE SEARCHED EVERY COMPARTMENT THERE IS....AND THEY SAID ITS A DEAD MOUSE OR ANIMAL AND THAT WARRANTY DOESNT COVER THAT SO ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM..AFTER OVER A WEEK OF ME CALLING AND HAVING MY HUSBAND (A CERTIFIED MECHANIC) CALLING THEM NON STOP, THEY AGREED TO LOOK AT IT..ITS NOT AN ANIMAL IT IS JUST ALOT OF MOLD THAT IS GROWING ALL OVER THE CARS HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER SYSTEM! AND ALL THIS TIME ITS JUST BEEN FLOWING MOLD BACTERIA INTO MY VENTS! ITS SUMMER I USE A/C EVERYDAY IF I AM DRIVING.... WE'VE JUST BEEN BREATHING IT IN FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG...I BOUGHT THIS CAR 9 MONTHS AGO BRAND NEW AND NOW AFTER ONLY 16,000 MILES ITS A BREEDING GROUND FOR MOLD INSIDE MY HVAC UNIT? I WONT BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THAT SMELL, AND WHAT ABOUT MY SEATS OR CLOTHING OR DAMAGE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE FROM THIS MOLD AND BACTERIA? THEY SAID GM WILL GIVE ME A RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS.....BUT PARTS WILL TAKE UP TO 4 TO EVEN COME IN BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN START FIXING THE "ISSUE". MY DAUGHTER IS 2 YEARS OLD AND HAD PNEMONIA 2 TIMES ALREADY.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 01/22/2016

PLEASE REFERENCE NHSTA COMPLAINT NUMBER 10862571,10865740 SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT THAT WAS SENT TO G.M. THIS VEHICLE MADE MY FAMILY SICK. I HAD TO PICKET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT CAR, BECAUSE G.M HEAD QUARTERS CLOSED THE CASE AND LEFT ME WITH THIS TOXIC VEHICLE. A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN MY QUEST TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED. A GM DEALERSHIP WHERE I DID NOT BUY CAR FROM, BOUGHT ME OUT OF MY LEASE AND GOT ME INTO A NEW VEHICLE. I PHYSICALLY PICKETED DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT CAR FROM AND OTHERS TO GET MY POINT ACROSS. I STILL HAVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING AND THE DEALERSHIP IS STUCK WITH THIS VEHICLE NOW, AND I STILL HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS ABOUT MY FAMILY. I HAVE CALLED THE EPA, AND OTHER AGENCIES AND NONE OF THEM CAN HELP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER GET INTO ANOTHER INDIVIDUALS POSSESSION. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PICTURES AND FILES.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 01/22/2016

THIS VEHICLE MADE MY FAMILY SICK. I HAD TO PICKET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT CAR, BECAUSE G.M HEAD QUARTERS CLOSED THE CASE AND LEFT ME WITH THIS TOXIC VEHICLE. A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN MY QUEST TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED. A GM DEALERSHIP WHERE I DID NOT BUY CAR FROM BOUGHT ME OUT OF MY LEASE AND GOT ME INTO A NEW VEHICLE. I PHYSICALLY PICKETED DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT CAR FROM AND OTHER GM DEALERSHIPS TO GET MY POINT ACROSS. I STILL HAVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING AND THE DEALERSHIP IS STUCK WITH THIS VEHICLE NOW, AND I STILL HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS ABOUT MY FAMILY. I HAVE CALLED THE EPA, AND OTHER AGENCIES AND NONE OF THEM CAN HELP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER GET INTO ANOTHER INDIVIDUALS POSSESSION. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PICTURES AND FILES. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT. ORIGINAL NHSTA COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10862571 EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO VEHICLE FROM EXHAUST LEAK AND CONTAMINATED INTERIOR OF VEHICLE MAKING MY WIFE AND CHILD SICK.DEALERSHIP REPLACED EXHAUST SYSTEM BUT CAR WAS STILL CONTAMINATED. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT GMCARGOTMYFAMILYSICK@GMAIL.COM