2016 Chevrolet Equinox Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, 2% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Every single time I go for an oil change, my oil is empty, even though I go early. One time I went to my place and they refused to do in oil change because it is dry and I had to go buy oil and put it in before they would change it. This car burns oil quicker than I burn gas. I’m very concerned because there were a couple times where there was no oil and I now stop in mid oil change for top offs and come in a few hundred miles before I was out. The dates below are for now but this is insane and has been going on a very, vary long time.”
NHTSA complaint #11538193, filed 2023-08“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11715924, filed 2026-02, 113,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine oil pump had failed and caused the engine to seize. The contact was advised that the engine and oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11664784, filed 2025-06, 58,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that two weeks after the vehicle was purchased, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the engine was very low on oil. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an oil change was performed on the vehicle. Two weeks later, the contact took the vehicle back to be checked and was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. However, no cause for the failure was found. No warning lights were illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11703026, filed 2025-12, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that one and a half quarts of oil needed to be added every two days. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the failure was caused by the timing belt sagging, and the piston being burned. The dealer stated that the gasket kit, timing chain, tensioner, sensor, guards, actuator, and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11675983, filed 2025-07, 148,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10250505Feb 7, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the cold start control system in DI engines to reduce cold start emissions and improve fuel economy.
- 10250503Feb 7, 2024This bulletin provides information on Engine Concerns that could result from lack of scheduled maintenance, improper service or aftermarket calibrations.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10249037Jan 11, 2024This informational bulletin advises the tech to validate if oil is leaking into the cooling system and to test and verify were to leak is coming from before replacing all the…
- 10247524Dec 13, 2023This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Coolant and/or Oil Leak, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminatedâ.
- 10247192Dec 8, 2023This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 10246483Nov 29, 2023This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid information/procedures to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 9 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 16 | 6% |
| 2016 | 9 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 10 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 34 | 4% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% |
| 2007 | 17 | 2% |
| 2006 | 60 | 9% |
| 2005 | 111 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
203 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
120 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsAir bags
12 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 27, 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