2016 Chevrolet Equinox · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

78owner reports
88,575median miles
$3,156median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

209 of the 396 complaints on this car are about the engine. 78 of those describe engine failure. Only wiper failure is reported more often on this car.

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026

No crash reportedin 78 reports

2 firesin 78 reports

Tick what matches of 78 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

Engine failure on other Equinox years

201458 reports 201564 reports 201678 reports 201775 reports

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

What this problem usually is

These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (76 reports) and the timing chain (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

What owners paid

29 of the 78 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $6,504.

$2,000$3,156$6,504

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 58,000 and 100,002 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox that deal with this problem. Newest first.

Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

Service bulletin19-NA-256Nov 29, 2023
This 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 knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
Service bulletin19NA256May 24, 2021
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
Service bulletin19NA256Nov 18, 2019
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
Service bulletinPIP5331HApr 30, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information on a rattle, tick, or knock type noise. Any drivability concerns they should be addressed prior to the following diagnostic progression.

4 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox page.

What owners wrote

“Engine consumed all oil and seized up, complete engine failure. We had just had a full synthetic oil change (and regularly did so according to manufacturer recommendations) 2,000 miles prior. This failure was not due to negligence. It appears to be a part of the same oil consumption issues with the 2.4L ecotech engine.”
Filed Oct 15, 2024 · 2,000 miles

“Had issue with it burning a TON of oil, solenoid ended up needing replaced. Replaced, and next day engine froze up and shot oil out of the back real seal, and now need replaced engine. Because the back real seal blew, is not being covered by my extended warranty, even though the damage was cause because of a covered part.”
Filed Dec 25, 2023

“Engine problems . Oil problems. Metal shavings in the oil and took to a mechanic and they said it needs a new engine. Also the heater isnât working. Check engine light would go on and off. Had the oil changed beforehand. Says reduced engine power. Took daughter to work stopped at gas station and shut it off came back out and wouldnât start had to have it towed home.”
Filed Sep 22, 2023

“I was driving my car and it just stopped working it wouldnât turn over at all! I heard about recalls with the engine that has something to do with the oil burning to fast. I took it to the dealership and had a warranty on it but they said it was only a one year warranty and it would be 6000 for a new engine.”
Filed May 29, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 78 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.

Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found