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2016 Chevrolet Equinox

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Equinox.

Body SUV

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is a SUV that takes 5.0 qt of oil in either 5W‑30 or 0W‑30 viscosity, and it logged 392 owner complaints with the engine identified as the top complaint area alongside a single recall. Across the model’s 2005‑2026 history, that total falls well below the 2010 peak of 784 complaints yet remains above the 2026 low of 55, placing the 2016 year in a mid‑range reliability band. Consequently, the 2016 Equinox is generally more dependable than the early‑generation high‑complaint period but still carries notable engine‑related issues that researchers and owners should weigh.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225/60R17 OR P225/65R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	23335811
Spark plug	12681660 alt 12681658
Battery	88866116 alt 88866309
Front wiper blades	19432580 alt 19432579
Serpentine belt	12636138 alt 12634319
Thermostat	03522676 alt 12622410
Cabin air filter	20901295

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.2 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	112.6 in
Curb weight	3929 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Equinox of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2016 LTZ

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD
2016	LTZ 2.4L I-4	9.50 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	AWD
2012	LTZ V6 3.0L V6	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	264 hp	FWD
2010	LT 2.4L I-4	8.70 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.0 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	8.2 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	37.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	44.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	NVG900: 11.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	NVG900: 18.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	43-58 @ idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-94
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	43-58 psi at idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
Engine Compression	125 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Rear: 92 /; Front: 140; Rear: 92
ABS Sensor Torque	7.0 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.080
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.060; Rear: .720
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.001
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen all bolts completely, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 110

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts:	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	155 degrees	155 degrees
3	Front bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox sits at a turning point in the model's record, where complaints and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) began a steady decline from the peaks seen between 2010 and 2013. With 392 complaints and 1,243 TSBs, the 2016 model shows a marked improvement over the 678 complaints and 1,580 TSBs reported for 2015, though it remains slightly higher than the 270 complaints seen in 2017. In terms of federal oversight, 2016 recorded one recall and two investigations, a stable profile compared to the two recalls and two investigations in 2015. The most frequent complaints for 2016 center on the engine (136) and visibility/wipers (102), although the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Additionally, the record notes 14 crash complaints and 3 fire complaints for this target year. Given its position as a low-complaint year relative to the earlier generation, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1243

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

392

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 392 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine136

Visibility/Wiper102

Unknown Or Other20

Power Train,Engine11

Air Bags9

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System9

Electrical System8

Unknown Or Other,Engine7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V449000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 21/06/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1243 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Equinox. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23335811 Spark plug 12681660 Battery 88866116

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Equinox take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Equinox have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.