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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

Service Brakes complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2023
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

Car feels like it is going to take off at a red light. Then it rumbles and cuts off at the light. I purchased car from US Auto Sales. DOWC paid PepBoys for multiple repairs for breaks rotors and the light that keeps coming on is service stabile track they got the light to cut off but the issue still persisted. They even changed …

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Car feels like it is going to take off at a red light. Then it rumbles and cuts off at the light. I purchased car from US Auto Sales. DOWC paid PepBoys for multiple repairs for breaks rotors and the light that keeps coming on is service stabile track they got the light to cut off but the issue still persisted. They even changed all things dealing with the gas line. This car is still idling high at stop signs like it will take off on its own. And still cuts off at a red light. This is very unsafe and many drivers have almost run onto the back of me. I told US Auto Sales, DOWC, and PepBoys and they all put me back in the same vehicle after voicing my concerns about safety. Instead of putting me in a safer vehicle they ignored it. This has been happening since I purchased the vehicle in November 2022

NHTSA ODI #11560023

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2023
EngineService BrakesStructure

Purchased car from dealer on 7/1, car seemed fine at dealer and then died. Took car to oil change place, discovered underneath frame completely rotted out. Called dealer, dealer unwilling to fix, replace or refund vehicle. Had car further inspected to find complete engine, transmission, frame, axle, steering, brake issues. There…

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Purchased car from dealer on 7/1, car seemed fine at dealer and then died. Took car to oil change place, discovered underneath frame completely rotted out. Called dealer, dealer unwilling to fix, replace or refund vehicle. Had car further inspected to find complete engine, transmission, frame, axle, steering, brake issues. There were no signs of anything wrong at the dealership.

NHTSA ODI #11531435

100,000 miles · Mar 21, 2022
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly brake and jerk. After the failure, the vehicle would drive and operate as needed. The contact experienced the failure approximately six times. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact had not…

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The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly brake and jerk. After the failure, the vehicle would drive and operate as needed. The contact experienced the failure approximately six times. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457578

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…

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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

57,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

ON OCT. 23, 2018, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MORNING. CALLED ONSTAR IN AFTERNOON FOR CODE;ONSTAR DID NOT PROVIDE CODE BUT SAID IT SHOULD BE SERVICED ASAP AND MADE APPOINTMENT AT NEARBY DEALERSHIP FOR NEXT MORNING. THAT EVENING WHEN BRAKING TO LEAVE A PARKING AREA, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED/STALLED OUT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALE…

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ON OCT. 23, 2018, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MORNING. CALLED ONSTAR IN AFTERNOON FOR CODE;ONSTAR DID NOT PROVIDE CODE BUT SAID IT SHOULD BE SERVICED ASAP AND MADE APPOINTMENT AT NEARBY DEALERSHIP FOR NEXT MORNING. THAT EVENING WHEN BRAKING TO LEAVE A PARKING AREA, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED/STALLED OUT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11151126

3,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

ME AND MY WIFE OWN A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 18MONTHS AND PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FOWARD COLLISION SENSOR ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLE WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY. MYSELF AND MY WIFE HAVE BOTH HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS TO HER ALL THE TIME SI…

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ME AND MY WIFE OWN A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 18MONTHS AND PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FOWARD COLLISION SENSOR ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLE WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY. MYSELF AND MY WIFE HAVE BOTH HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS TO HER ALL THE TIME SINCE SHE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. SHE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO HER OVER 20 TIMES IN THE PAST 1.5 YRS. FORWARD COLLISION WARNING WILL GO OFF WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AND THEN THE BRAKES WILL MOMENTARILY ENGAGE. I HAVE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE. I HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE AS A PASSENGER ON (3) OCCASSIONS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE HAVE HAD THIS SUV FOR 18MONTHS AND SHE HAS TAKEN IT TO (2) DEALERSHIPS. BOTH STATED THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND TOLD US TO DE-ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM. WHY HAVE THIS SAFETY FEATURE AND YOU ARE TOLD TO TURN IT OFF BY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO IDEA ON HOW TO FIX IT?? I DONT EVEN KNOW IF THEY HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET TO INQUIRE. DEALERSHIPS WE UTILIZED WERE JOHN JONES FROM CORYDON, IN AND COYLE CHEVROLET LOCATED IN CLARKSVILLE, IN. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BUT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641382

4,315 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

1ST OCCURRENCE - 7-22-14 -TRAVELING ON THE 8 WEST AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE" SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASH ACTIVATED AND IT DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THERE WAS NOT A CAR WITHIN 200 YARDS. 2ND OCCURRENCE - 7-25-14 - TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON AERO DR. AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, WITH NO CARS WIT…

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1ST OCCURRENCE - 7-22-14 -TRAVELING ON THE 8 WEST AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE" SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASH ACTIVATED AND IT DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THERE WAS NOT A CAR WITHIN 200 YARDS. 2ND OCCURRENCE - 7-25-14 - TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON AERO DR. AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, WITH NO CARS WITHIN 100 YARDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. 3RD OCCURRENCE - 7-28-14 - GOING TO WORK AT 6:00 AM TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON MISSION VILLAGE DR. AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, COLLISION AVOIDANCE ACTIVATED, RED LIGHT ON THE DASH & BRAKING, NO CARS WERE IN SIGHT AT THAT TIME. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617362

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKES SQUEAL REALLY BAD WHEN BACKING UP BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. WATER SEEMS TO BE LEAKING INTO THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616035

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKES SQUEAL REALLY BAD WHEN BACKING UP BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. WATER SEEMS TO BE LEAKING INTO THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606749

23,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

MARCH 2013 RADIO CONTROL WENT OFF/ RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN FROZE FOR FEW HOURS. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON/OFF RADIO AND STAYED ON THE SAME VOLUME. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO RESET AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR FOLLOW UP. STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE GOES ON FOR NO REASON WHEN PRESSING BRAKES THEY MAKE A LOUD SQUEA…

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MARCH 2013 RADIO CONTROL WENT OFF/ RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN FROZE FOR FEW HOURS. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON/OFF RADIO AND STAYED ON THE SAME VOLUME. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO RESET AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR FOLLOW UP. STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE GOES ON FOR NO REASON WHEN PRESSING BRAKES THEY MAKE A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583627

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