2016 Chevrolet Equinox: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Engine · MO

The high pressure fuel pump leaking into crankcase and leaking gasket the fuel in the oil was so much it lit on fire.

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL · fire

Coming home from a trip without any warning our 2016 equinox scared me when it made a terrible sound lost power and stopped working. We’re 100’s miles away from home on the side of a road in the dark. We called for towing to a dealer payed for a hotel waited till the next day for it to be looked at. Told the engine was blown that the timing belt and everything in there was bent and in pieces 10,000-12,000 dollars to replace. Mind you this car is a ltz and very well talking care of. Without fixing it it’s worth 1000.00. Shame on gmc we should have been notified about issues. This happens at 80,000miles No warranty. I actually thought it caught on fire. Gm step up and take care of your life long customer that have owned Chevy always.

Filed Sep 21, 2024 · Engine · OH

Maintained vehicle with regular oil changes, tire rotations and inspections. Last oil change was June of 2024. Minimal driving throughout summer as both drivers are teachers and home most of the summer. Vehicle engine light illuminated on 9/12/24 with no prior issues or lights illuminating. Vehicle then went into what felt like "limp mode." Vehicle was taken to certified Chevy dealership service center. Initial diagnosis indicated there was little to no oil left in the engine. No visible leaks were seen on driveway where it has been parked, no smell of burning oil occurred prior to engine light illuminating. Oil life monitor stated 65.89% remaining. Visible leak diagnosis passed inspection. Diagnosis of misfire/engine related concerns. While on phone with mechanic it was stated that pistons and rings were malfunctioning. Upon researching issues, I discovered that there is a well known issues within GM of this exact problem existing in which around roughly 90,000 miles (my vehicle is currently at 91,000+) this specific engine starts consuming oil at a massive rate without indicating any leaks or smells of burning oil. Service center quoted between $6500-$10000 to repair. After I provided feedback about what I had discovered, I was told by mechanic that this is a well known problem with this vehicle. Extended warranties for this issue has been issued however, I am being asked to cover the cost to repair a known problem within the 2011-2017 GM engines in the Equinox and Terrain models.

Filed Oct 7, 2023 · Engine · NE

Despite not being due for an oil change, the low oil pressure light came on. Then there was a loud sound, smoke came out of the exhaust and the engine started smoking and rattling and then the engine stalled. I had it towed and the mechanic told me there was no oil in the engine, even though there had been earlier in the day. The mechanic told me that this is a known problem with the 2016 Equinox. They are known to burn oil and the engine will stop without warning. Luckily, I was at a place where I could safely pull over. But I was told the engine is blown and it is no longer drivable. I bought used less than two years ago with less than 70k miles on it. It currently has just over 103k miles on it. The fact that this is a known problem and such a huge problem is upsetting. The manufacturer needs to be held accountable.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Engine · NY

Entered vehicle and smelled exhaust inside. Checked tail pipe and it was clear and blowing out exhaust. Pulled out of driveway and got sudden smell of oil. About 200 feet down the street smelled burning oil. Turned around and went home, car was dying and would not start after. Had to be towed to be checked and was told engine was flooded along with other issues from driving that short distance the way it was. NOT ONE ALERT SHOWED OR IS NOW SHOWING ON DASH OR DISPLAY. Nothing about oil, no check engine, no warnings of any issues. Has been maintained and just had an oil change. Is driven daily and had no alerts or issues. Now we are stuck paying over $6k to replace the entire block when there was no notification that any maintenance was needed. Any notification that pops up, we check and fix immediately. In the shop still and techs say no lights or warnings are coming on still when they turn the car on. Not even check engine when it’s blown! We bought a newer vehicle to avoid these issues and now we are stuck dropping that much or more to replace engine block or buy a new suv all together. Seeing as the economy is horrible right now, we really can’t afford to do either!!

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Engine · 86,000 miles · OH · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving 32 MPH, the contact was veering off the highway exit ramp and noticed in the rear-view mirror that there was black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact got off the exit ramp and became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact activated the hazard light and drove to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear main seal had blown out and that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · MI · crash · fire

My 2016 Chevrolet Equinox caught on fire about 10 minutes after my accident. I rear ended a pickup truck going about 5-10 miles an hour. Although nobody was hurt, I don't think SUVs should catch on fire. I'm unaware if this problem is frequent in 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, but there wasn't any warning of the sudden fire that appeared from the engine, i.e. sirens, sounds from within the car. I'm unaware if Chevrolet, law enforcement or the insurance company has inspected the vehicle after the accident?

Filed May 4, 2020 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MI

Truck was sputtering while driving and could smell oil & had smoke coming from back. Took to chevy dealer in january. Dealer replaced mass air flow sensor & bored/reset throttle body & reset idle. They claimed there wasnt a leak. Two weeks later oil was pouring from under my truck & it was back at the dealer with proof of a massive leak. They kept my truck til march 23 and it was the pcv port had to be modified and blown rear main seal on the engine ($1,948). I only have 65,000 miles on it. Researching 2016 model, I found the main issues are the pcv port & rear main seal and the fact that general motors was & is aware of the problem! Why isnt something being done?