2016 Chevrolet Equinox: Blown rear main seal
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Equinox report: blown rear main seal. CarComplaints.com lists 16 owner complaints, average mileage 108,100 miles.
NHTSA has 211 owner complaints for the 2016 Equinox in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768923 (filed 10/05/2026): “I am filing this complaint regarding a safety-related engine problem with my 2016 chevrolet equinox. my vehicle is currently experiencing excessive crankcase pressure associated with the pcv system. the vehicle requires pcv service, and i have been advised tha…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768744 (filed 10/03/2026): “Timing chain guide broke and caused catastropic engine failure while driving 70 miles an hour on the highway causing steering, brakes etc to lock up putting me and my family at risk of accident and great bodily harm. vehicle is available for inspection. no pri…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace rear main seal or rebuild engine (12 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,730 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto