Is the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX reliable?

The 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 487 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX?

Top problems: ENGINE (208 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (117 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX?

The 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX has an EPA rating of 21 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3659. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX is approximately $1,781/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX has 487 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 487. The most common issue is engine problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: exhaust fumes leaking into driver cabin, horrible toxic odor, family got sick from being inside of vehicle. stationary, or in motion. toxic odors and same health effects when not running. oder on clothing, hair, skin. immediate adverse health symptoms associated with being in vehicle are headache, . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 12 crash reports 25 injuries

487

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

208 complaints

43%

• EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO DRIVER CABIN, HORRIBLE TOXIC ODOR, FAMILY GOT SICK FROM BEING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION. TOXIC ODORS AND SAME HEALTH EFFECTS WHEN NOT RUNNING. ODER ON CLOTHING, HAIR, SKIN. IMMEDIATE ADVERSE HEALTH SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING IN VEHICLE ARE HEADACHE,
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO DRIVER CABIN, HORRIBLE TOXIC ODOR, FAMILY GOT SICK FROM BEING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION. TOXIC ODORS AND SAME HEALTH EFFECTS WHEN NOT RUNNING. ODER ON CLOTHING, HAIR, SKIN. IMMEDIATE ADVERSE HEALTH SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING IN VEHICLE ARE HEADACHE, ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Based on 216 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 38K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 61K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 29K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 34K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 29K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 30K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS21/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,626

Per month

$302

Per mile

30.2¢

kWh/mi

1.60

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,781

Full coverage / month

$148

Liability only / year

$665

vs US avg

+6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1781

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet EQUINOX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 EQUINOX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 487 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO DRIVER CABIN, HORRIBLE TOXIC ODOR, FAMILY GOT SICK FROM BEING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION. TOXIC ODORS AND SAME HEALTH EFFECTS WHEN NOT RUNNING. ODER ON CLOTHING, HAIR, SKIN. IMMEDIATE ADVERSE HEALTH SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING IN VEHICLE ARE HEADACHE,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND DISTRACTED THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO DRIVER CABIN, HORRIBLE TOXIC ODOR, FAMILY GOT SICK FROM BEING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION. TOXIC ODORS AND SAME HEALTH EFFECTS WHEN NOT RUNNING. ODER ON CLOTHING, HAIR, SKIN. IMMEDIATE ADVERSE HEALTH SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING IN VEHICLE ARE HEADACHE,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 LA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)