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2013 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

515 reports with mileage · 236 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

25 reports
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158,105 miles · Nov 14, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

Got into a front end collision, vehicle was totaled. Front airbags didn't deploy. Steering wheel and side airbags deployed about 5 minutes after the accident. My head hit the driver side window, cracking the whole window. Had a concussion from that.

NHTSA ODI #11555006

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2023
Air Bags

Unknown, just driving and service air bag light came on. Has not been on before and have not been in any type of accident.

NHTSA ODI #11518751

93,000 miles · Jan 11, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH down an inclined road, the front driver-side air bag was erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash down an embankment. During the crash, the driver sustained a concussion and left arm, nec…

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The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH down an inclined road, the front driver-side air bag was erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash down an embankment. During the crash, the driver sustained a concussion and left arm, neck, and rib injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away to the insurance company. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #11501222

168,000 miles · Mar 10, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift out of PARK and the key would not move, preventing the contact from turning off the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact initially calle…

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The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift out of PARK and the key would not move, preventing the contact from turning off the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact initially called the dealer where they informed him to tow the vehicle to the dealer location. The contact then called AAA where they were able to reset the gear box; the contact was then able to shift the vehicle into the DRIVE and drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with a defective gear box; the vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer while they awaited for the parts to repair the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ODI #11455983

96,000 miles · Jun 2, 2019
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING YO WORK ON CITY STREETS AND ALL AT ONCE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON SIDE

NHTSA ODI #11217376

50,000 miles · May 28, 2019
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON, THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. USUALLY IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE MESSAGE WILL DISAPPEAR. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE MESSAGE WILL APPEAR. IT USUALLY CLEARS IF THE CAR IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. UNTI…

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TAKATA RECALL, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON, THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. USUALLY IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE MESSAGE WILL DISAPPEAR. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE MESSAGE WILL APPEAR. IT USUALLY CLEARS IF THE CAR IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH. NOW I REALIZE IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. THANK GOD, I HAVEN'T HAD A MAJOR COLLISION, MY AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. THIS YEAR MODEL SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR NOW HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T EVEN FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS CAR WITH THESE ISSUES. I WOULDN'T WANT TO ENDANGER OTHER FAMILIES.

NHTSA ODI #11210285

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2019
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AND HAS NEVER WENT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11192629

126,000 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Air Bags

I HIT A DEER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER I HIT IT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR FILLED WITH DUST COMING FROM THE DASH WERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS ACTIVATED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. WHICH NOW CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURE OF THE AIRBAG SHOWING IT DID NOT DEPLOY …

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I HIT A DEER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER I HIT IT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR FILLED WITH DUST COMING FROM THE DASH WERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS ACTIVATED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. WHICH NOW CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURE OF THE AIRBAG SHOWING IT DID NOT DEPLOY AND A PICTURE OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11133191

63,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat BeltsCrash

A SEMI TIRE BOUNCED AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND CRACKED MY GRILL. MY HAZARD LIGHTS POPPED ON, MY DOME LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT AND IT LOCKED UP. NO ONE WAS IN PASSENGERS SIDE AND THAT SEAT BELT LOCKED AS WELL. SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT C…

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A SEMI TIRE BOUNCED AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND CRACKED MY GRILL. MY HAZARD LIGHTS POPPED ON, MY DOME LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT AND IT LOCKED UP. NO ONE WAS IN PASSENGERS SIDE AND THAT SEAT BELT LOCKED AS WELL. SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON AND STILL THE SMELL OF AIRBAGS IN THE CAR. NOW UNABLE TO BUCKLE UP, AND CANT REACH THE PEDALS BECAUSE MY SEAT WONT MOVE BECAUSE THE SEATBELT IS LOCKED. ON HIGHWAY, IN MOTION ABOUT 62 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11111955

27,000 miles · Mar 10, 2018
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, IT COST ME 105.00 AT STAFFILINO CHEVROLET FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME 656.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW WHERE THE TAKATA RECALL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2019. THIS DOES NOT HELP NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE A…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, IT COST ME 105.00 AT STAFFILINO CHEVROLET FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME 656.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW WHERE THE TAKATA RECALL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2019. THIS DOES NOT HELP NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL NOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND THIS LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11078463

Official recalls

2

16V582000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Aug 4, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 25302.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems