IllustrationI HAD 100,000 MILES ON MY CHEVY EQUINOX AND IN DECEMBER WITH OUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW UP. I HAD RECENTLY HAD A OIL CHANGE BUT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE BARELY HAD ANY OIL. I HAD ARRIVED AT A DOCTORS OFFICE WAS THERE FOR A HOUR AND WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
5525–50K
11150–75K
11375–100K
137100–150K
35150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,855.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,823.
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE , LOOSING ALL POWER TO THROTTLE , POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEGUN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT . TODAY WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF CAUS…
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VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE , LOOSING ALL POWER TO THROTTLE , POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEGUN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT . TODAY WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO FIGHT THE CARS STEERING TO SAFELY BRING IT TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND THEN RE INSERT KEY AND RE START THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND COMPRESSION TEST EVERY 1,000 MILES. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND COMPRESSION TEST EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PISTON IN THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED WITH UNKNOWN PARTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. *TR
FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED NEAR THE FUSE BOX. FIRE BURNED THROUGH FIREWALL AND CONTINUED UP THE CEILING CONSOLE. THIS CAR IS USUALLY PARKED IN MY GARAGE, WITH MY BEDROOM RIGHT ABOVE. FIRE STARTED AROUND 12:30AM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY DAILY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY DAILY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THIS JUST STARTED 2 DAYS AGO AT 51K MILES. THE VEHICLE WILL DIE AT A SLOW SPEED OR AT IDLE. IT HAS HAPPENED ANYWHERE FROM THE DRIVE-THRU TO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC.
16 DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, DRIVING ON FREEWAY FEEDER ROAD, ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AN HAD NOTICEABLE POWER LOSS, ENGINE HAS STARTED BURNING 3+ QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. I AM CONCERNED IT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE ON SCHEDULE AT THE DEALERSHIP.
Official recalls
216V582000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.