2016 Chevrolet Equinox Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 6%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, 6% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In early november of 2020 my Chevrolet Equinox engine failed due to excessive oil consumption and burning oil. My low oil light never went on and we did regular oil changes which still didnt matter. We were putting oil in it every few days until finally it wouldnt start anymore. I had it then towed to the Chevrolet dealership to have it fixed as it is my only means of transportation.they corrected the problem but refuse to take accountability for the excessive oil consumption resulting in a bill of over $2,200. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406656, filed 2021-04, 98,000 miles“My car smells like burning wires. My AC turns from cold to hot without even touching any buttons. My phone charger in the middle council doesn't work. I only have 53000 miles on this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11109540, filed 2018-07, 53,000 miles“While travelling down highway I heard a click and the headlights and heater turned off by themselves. Was unable to turn them on. Thank god I was on a straight strip and not a curve. Contacted on star. Figured out that the high beams could be activated by holding the high beam switch toward me while driving. Drove home driving with one hand and holding high beam switch with other. When I returned home I turned the car off. I wondered if the car would start so I turned it over and the headlights and heater came back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11081277, filed 2018-03, 30,000 miles“Initially the rear main seal was leaking or broken; all the oil drained from the vehicle. After spending $992.60 I was advised that the timing change and guides needed to be replaced. I've had the vvt celanide replaced as well as the crank and cam shaft sensors; the vvt gears and an oil pump rebuild...$2017.60 later, my truck drove for approximately 3 miles where it died on the side of the road. I have not driven my car (aside from the 3 miles) in nearly 2 months. Now I'm being told they think it may be electrical. My truck has less than 100,000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11303062, filed 2020-01, 89,000 miles“The vehicle was in motion. This has happened several times in the past. This happened on a very hot and sunny summer day. The windows were rolled down and the A/C was off. The radio started to loop a song that was playing. I was unable to mute it, turn it down, and turn it off. The infotainment buttons were doing nothing. I turned on the A/C and the interior cooled down. The radio functioned as normal once it was cold. This has happened in the past as well. One time, it was during winter and the heat was on. The radio malfunctioned. The heat was turned off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11231502, filed 2019-07, 35,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 18% |
| 2025 | 79 | 33% |
| 2024 | 17 | 21% |
| 2023 | 13 | 13% |
| 2022 | 22 | 12% |
| 2021 | 18 | 18% |
| 2020 | 43 | 14% |
| 2019 | 45 | 15% |
| 2018 | 61 | 15% |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 45 | 7% |
| 2014 | 46 | 8% |
| 2013 | 69 | 9% |
| 2012 | 70 | 10% |
| 2011 | 74 | 9% |
| 2010 | 81 | 10% |
| 2009 | 23 | 24% |
| 2008 | 65 | 18% |
| 2007 | 102 | 15% |
| 2006 | 141 | 20% |
| 2005 | 159 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
203 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
120 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology