← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

412 reports
Clear category filter
113,563 miles · May 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE HAVING THE ENGINE DISASSEMBLED TO REPLACE FAULTY PISTON ASSEMBLIES THAT CAUSED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IT WAS FOUND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND THE O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS WORN SUFFICIENTLY TO WARRANT REPLACEMENT. IT WAS COMMENTED TH…

Read full complaint

WHILE HAVING THE ENGINE DISASSEMBLED TO REPLACE FAULTY PISTON ASSEMBLIES THAT CAUSED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IT WAS FOUND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND THE O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS WORN SUFFICIENTLY TO WARRANT REPLACEMENT. IT WAS COMMENTED THAT THE FUEL IN THE LUBRICATING OIL DUE TO THE LEAKING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LIKELY ENRICHED THE EXHAUST VIA THE PCV SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, O2 SENSOR AND CONVERTER. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY THE FAULTY PISTON ASSEMBLY CLAIM # 2304031 CONSISTING OF REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, O2 SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REQUIRED GASKET WAS $1,975.38 US DOLLARS LABOR INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324188

142,000 miles · Apr 28, 2020
Engine

THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED WITH THE RECENTLY SETTLED LAWSUIT ABOUT THE ENGINE PISTON RINGS.MY CAR WAS SURGING AND RUNNING POORLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PISTON KIT. MY VEHICLE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE SETTLEMENT AS IT HAS GREATER THAN 120,000. I PAID FOR REPAIR OF OVER $1700.00 AND SOUGHT HELP FROM THE MN ATTORNEY GEN OFFICE. FILE…

Read full complaint

THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED WITH THE RECENTLY SETTLED LAWSUIT ABOUT THE ENGINE PISTON RINGS.MY CAR WAS SURGING AND RUNNING POORLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PISTON KIT. MY VEHICLE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE SETTLEMENT AS IT HAS GREATER THAN 120,000. I PAID FOR REPAIR OF OVER $1700.00 AND SOUGHT HELP FROM THE MN ATTORNEY GEN OFFICE. FILE NO: PCM/2020/5333402/C. THEY HAVE GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM GM STATING THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO REIMBURSE ME DUE TO THE GREATER THAN 120,000 AND CLOSED THEIR CASE. I AM WORKING WITH PAUL MUELLER FROM THE CONSUMER SERVICE DIVISION 651-355-0730. HE ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. GM IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY SYSTEM AND IS UNETHICALLY REFUSING TO ASSIST THOSE OF US WITH CARS EXCLUDED DUE TO GREATER THAN 120,000 MILES. MANY OF US ARE PAYING LARGE REPAIR BILLS OR LEFT WITH ENGINES THAT DO NOT RUN. THERE IS A CASE FILE WITH INFO YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN ACCESS AT THE MN ATTORNEY GEN OFFICE.

NHTSA ODI #11322532

75,570 miles · Apr 24, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER AND TURN OFF VEHICLE MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ARTIOLI CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (525 E…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER AND TURN OFF VEHICLE MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ARTIOLI CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (525 ENFIELD ST, ENFIELD, CT 06082, (860)745-2469) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PCV VALVE WAS BLOCKED AND THE TRANS AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHEVROLET BUICK GMC AUTO PARTS LOCATED AT 440 HALL OF FAME AVE, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01105, (413) 417-2959, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PCV VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,570. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11322110

156,000 miles · Apr 21, 2020
Engine

MY EQUINOX STARTED KNOCKING AND ACTING STRANGE. CHECKED OIL 1000 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE AND THERE WAS NO OIL AND NO INDICATOR LIGHT. PUT OIL IN THE EQUINOX AND IT STARTING ACTING NORMAL AGAIN. UNTIL A MONTH LATER AND IT STARTED ACTING STRANGE AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER WE PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY SAID THE PISTONS NEED …

Read full complaint

MY EQUINOX STARTED KNOCKING AND ACTING STRANGE. CHECKED OIL 1000 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE AND THERE WAS NO OIL AND NO INDICATOR LIGHT. PUT OIL IN THE EQUINOX AND IT STARTING ACTING NORMAL AGAIN. UNTIL A MONTH LATER AND IT STARTED ACTING STRANGE AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER WE PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY SAID THE PISTONS NEED REPLACED BECAUSE OF LACK IN OIL AND THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. ALWAYS DROVE A CHEVY BUT WILL NEVER DRIVE ONE AGAIN!!

NHTSA ODI #11321856

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2020
Engine

CONTINUOUSLY LOOSES OIL HAD TEST DONE ONIT REPEATEDLY HAD SEALS AND GASKETS IN ENGINE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11319470

114,000 miles · Mar 22, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN. TURNING RIGHT, IT STARTED TO STALL AND THEN FINALLY TOOK OFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST INSTANCE OF SOMETHING POTENTIALLY WRONG. WHEN WE MADE IT TO WORK, IT APPEARED TO BE OK. WHEN WE STARTED IT, EXHAUST APPEARED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST FUMES WERE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. TO M…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN. TURNING RIGHT, IT STARTED TO STALL AND THEN FINALLY TOOK OFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST INSTANCE OF SOMETHING POTENTIALLY WRONG. WHEN WE MADE IT TO WORK, IT APPEARED TO BE OK. WHEN WE STARTED IT, EXHAUST APPEARED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST FUMES WERE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY, WE LOWERED THE WINDOWS. WHEN WE STARTED IT, THERE IS NOTICEABLY A CHANGE IN ENGINE NOISE, THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, AND OIL COVERS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSE, AND WE FOUND A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN FLORIDA WHICH DESCRIBES OUR VEHICLE'S ISSUES ALMOST PERFECTLY. OIL CONSUMPTION IS HIGH, IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN IS DEADLY, AND THE CHANGE OF THE ENGINE SOUND.

NHTSA ODI #11318969

52,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Engine

2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LEAKING OIL. *LD CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ZIMBRICK GMC (MADISON, WI) ON 2/18/20 BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING OIL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PVC VALVE HAD CLOGGED/FROZE CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE IN ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GASKET TO BLOW OUT AND LEAK ENGINE OI…

Read full complaint

2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LEAKING OIL. *LD CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ZIMBRICK GMC (MADISON, WI) ON 2/18/20 BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING OIL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PVC VALVE HAD CLOGGED/FROZE CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE IN ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GASKET TO BLOW OUT AND LEAK ENGINE OIL. HE WAS INFORMED OF A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT BULLETIN FOR THE ISSUE, BUT HIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN BULLETIN. *DL

NHTSA ODI #11317397

72,000 miles · Mar 9, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

BOUGHT THE CAR USED 8 MONTHS AGO WITH 55K MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN IT 20K MILES, AND IT BURNS OIL, WITH THE OIL LIGHT NOT BEING ILLUMINATED, YET THE COMPUTER TELLS ME I HAVE A HIGHER % OF OIL LIFE LEFT. TIMING CHAIN IS GOING OUT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM TURNS OFF. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT THE CAR USED 8 MONTHS AGO WITH 55K MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN IT 20K MILES, AND IT BURNS OIL, WITH THE OIL LIGHT NOT BEING ILLUMINATED, YET THE COMPUTER TELLS ME I HAVE A HIGHER % OF OIL LIFE LEFT. TIMING CHAIN IS GOING OUT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM TURNS OFF. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING APPEARS FINE, BUT BETWEEN 0-20MPH WITH AWD ON THE BREAK SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE FAILING; THEN WHEN STABILITRAK IS TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE PERFORMS NORMAL. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR. MOST OF THESE ISSUES OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11317050

172,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Engine

I RECEIVED CONTACT ABOUT FAULTY PARTS THAT AFFECT THE REAR MAIN SEAL EVENTUALLY DAMAGING AND BLOWING IT OUT. THE ONLY THING IS I WAS CONTACTED 6 MONTHS AGO, OVER 6 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP SAYING THEY WOULD RECALL AND REPLACE/REPAIR THIS. THE ONLY THING IS MY CAR WAS DISQUALIFIED FOR HAVING OVER 120K IN MILEAGE AND I WAS TOLD I SHOULD…

Read full complaint

I RECEIVED CONTACT ABOUT FAULTY PARTS THAT AFFECT THE REAR MAIN SEAL EVENTUALLY DAMAGING AND BLOWING IT OUT. THE ONLY THING IS I WAS CONTACTED 6 MONTHS AGO, OVER 6 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP SAYING THEY WOULD RECALL AND REPLACE/REPAIR THIS. THE ONLY THING IS MY CAR WAS DISQUALIFIED FOR HAVING OVER 120K IN MILEAGE AND I WAS TOLD I SHOULD CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY IT STILL WORKS. I WAS DRIVING TO MY JOB AND HAD PARKED MY CAR. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING IT WAS CHUGGING AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY BOYFRIEND TO BRING OIL AS THE CAR ALWAYS HAS BURNED OIL. IT HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. I GET IT HOME AND PLAN TO TAKE IT IN THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I WAKE UP AND CHECK MY CAR, ALL OF THE OIL WAS ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE SENSORS NEVER SHOWED ANYTHING AND I STILL HAD 30% OIL LIFE AND WAS MONITORING. IF IT WEREN'T FOR IT SMELLING LIKE SOMETHING BURNING, I WOULD HAVE HAD A SEIZED ENGINE. THIS IS NOW A $1500 REPAIR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN RECALLED 3 YEARS AGO ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI #11316465

182,600 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Engine

MY CAR KEEPS RUNNING OUT OF OIL. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #11316262

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