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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

What owners actually said

751 reports
105,000 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Engine

EXCESSIVELY RAPID OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. OIL PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION (E.G., NO OIL PRESSURE LIGHT INDICATOR). ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING, THEN VEHICLE LURCHING AND STALLING WHEN TRANSPORTING TO MECHANIC JUST BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE. REPAIR REQUIRES ENGINE REPLACEMENT…

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EXCESSIVELY RAPID OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. OIL PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION (E.G., NO OIL PRESSURE LIGHT INDICATOR). ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING, THEN VEHICLE LURCHING AND STALLING WHEN TRANSPORTING TO MECHANIC JUST BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE. REPAIR REQUIRES ENGINE REPLACEMENT (>$5000). DEALER REFUSING TO COMPENSATE OVER 10% OF REPAIR COSTS. PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO THOSE CITED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR EUINOX 2010-2017: HTTPS://WWW.CLASSACTION.ORG/CHEVY-EQUINOX-LAWSUIT

NHTSA ODI #11182558

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS A TSB 15285C WHICH COVERS THE 4 CYLINDER FOR OIL CONSUMPTION. NINE IS THE V6 3.6. THIS GOES THROUGH 1 QUART EVERY 350 MILES. I'VE BEEN TO 2 DEALERS AND WAS TOLD MINE IS NOT COVERED. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR. WHAT CAN BE DONE? I BOUGHT USED FROM SPITZER CHEVY IN NORTH CANTON OHIO. I THINK THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS AND I …

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THERE IS A TSB 15285C WHICH COVERS THE 4 CYLINDER FOR OIL CONSUMPTION. NINE IS THE V6 3.6. THIS GOES THROUGH 1 QUART EVERY 350 MILES. I'VE BEEN TO 2 DEALERS AND WAS TOLD MINE IS NOT COVERED. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR. WHAT CAN BE DONE? I BOUGHT USED FROM SPITZER CHEVY IN NORTH CANTON OHIO. I THINK THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS AND I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NONE.

NHTSA ODI #11182493

81,000 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Engine

VEHICLE RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND EXPERIENCING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE WAS CLICKING WHEN ACCELERATING AND JERKING BACK AND FOURTH WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. DEALER STATED IT WAS CLOGGED PCV. A RECALL 14882 STATES THIS EXACT ISSUE CONCERNING 2010-2014 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE ECOTEC 2.4L ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY CUSTOMER CAR…

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VEHICLE RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND EXPERIENCING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE WAS CLICKING WHEN ACCELERATING AND JERKING BACK AND FOURTH WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. DEALER STATED IT WAS CLOGGED PCV. A RECALL 14882 STATES THIS EXACT ISSUE CONCERNING 2010-2014 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE ECOTEC 2.4L ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY CUSTOMER CARE BOTH STATED MY VIN WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME EXACT ENGINE AND MODEL SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. TOTAL COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $900. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND CHEVY NEEDS TO COVER THIS AND REIMBURSE FOR THE COST. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION AND A CASE NUMBER WITH GM ON THE MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11181789

155,500 miles · Feb 21, 2019
Engine

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 55, NOTICED OIL ON BACK WINDOW THOUGHT IT WAS FROST. ARRIVED AT DESTINATION AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD, LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL POURING OUT THE UNDERNEATH. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I LOST OVER 3 QUARTS OF OIL. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TH…

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DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 55, NOTICED OIL ON BACK WINDOW THOUGHT IT WAS FROST. ARRIVED AT DESTINATION AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD, LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL POURING OUT THE UNDERNEATH. NO OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I LOST OVER 3 QUARTS OF OIL. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE PVC FROZE UP AND CAUSED THE REAR MAIN TO BLOW OUT. COST ME $2400, HAD15500 MILES AND FOLLOWED ALL GM MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.

NHTSA ODI #11181715

55,038 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Power Train

HAD OIL CHANGE ON FEB 5, 2019. FEB. 9, 2019 HAD SOMEONE ASK IF I HAD AN OIL LEAK. I SAW A TRAIL OF OIL UP MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY GARAGE. THERE WAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY IT WAS STATIONARY IN THE GARAGE. IF I HADN'T HAD SOMEONE SEE IT BEFORE I DROVE IT AGAIN MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE SEIZED UP. THERE …

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HAD OIL CHANGE ON FEB 5, 2019. FEB. 9, 2019 HAD SOMEONE ASK IF I HAD AN OIL LEAK. I SAW A TRAIL OF OIL UP MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY GARAGE. THERE WAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY IT WAS STATIONARY IN THE GARAGE. IF I HADN'T HAD SOMEONE SEE IT BEFORE I DROVE IT AGAIN MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE SEIZED UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON. WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN BAD THIS YEAR WITH RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES, SNOW AND ICY ROADWAYS. IF I HAD DRIVEN THIS WITH, MY NINE-YEAR-OLD SON AND HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE I DRIVE EVERYDAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY PCV CLOGGED FROM THE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE GETTING FROZEN. CHEVY HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (#14882) ON THIS, HOWEVER MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ARE ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11181456

91,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FAULTY AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DISTRACTION WITH ONE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING FLOODED WITHOUT A WIPER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS FAULTY AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DISTRACTION WITH ONE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING FLOODED WITHOUT A WIPER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11181404

77,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Engine

ON JANUARY 31 MY EQUINOX EXPERIENCED A FROZEN PCV SYSTEM, A KNOWN ISSUE IN 2010-2014 EQUINOX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK AND EXCESSIVE CRANKCASE PRESSURE WHICH BLEW THE REAR MAIN SEAL RENDERING MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AN APPROXIMATE 10 MILE DRIVE, COMPRISED OF A SHORT DRIVE ON A FR…

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ON JANUARY 31 MY EQUINOX EXPERIENCED A FROZEN PCV SYSTEM, A KNOWN ISSUE IN 2010-2014 EQUINOX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK AND EXCESSIVE CRANKCASE PRESSURE WHICH BLEW THE REAR MAIN SEAL RENDERING MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AN APPROXIMATE 10 MILE DRIVE, COMPRISED OF A SHORT DRIVE ON A FREEWAY AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIP ON CITY STREETS. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER I EXITED THE FREEWAY. I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND I NOTICED THAT MY CAR SOUNDED LOUDER THAN USUAL. AT JUST A FEW MILES FROM MY HOME TROUBLE LIGHTS (TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE) ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH ALONG WITH THE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" MESSAGE. THINKING I HAD A TRACTION CONTROL ISSUE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY HOME, A MERE 2 CITY BLOCKS. AT THAT TIME THE OIL PRESSURE MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND OIL DROPPED WHERE I STOPPED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11181318

56,000 miles · Feb 16, 2019
Visibility/wiper

DRIVING MY 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES DURING RAIN/SNOW AND WIPERS QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSE TO HOME. TURNED THEM OFF AND NOW WHEN I TURN THEM ON SOUNDS LIKE MOTOR IS RUNNING BUT WIPERS WILL NOT WORK! IT IS WINTER TIME HERE, EXPECTING ANOTHER SNOW STORM AND DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE TO DRIVE!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11180527

36,000 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Power Train

OUR 2013 EQUINOX HAD ONLY 36,000 MILES AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH OIL CONSUMPTION BUT RECENTLY IN THE COLD WEATHER THE OIL STARTED LITERALLY RUNNING OUT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING ON THE HWY AND THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WE COULD …

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OUR 2013 EQUINOX HAD ONLY 36,000 MILES AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH OIL CONSUMPTION BUT RECENTLY IN THE COLD WEATHER THE OIL STARTED LITERALLY RUNNING OUT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING ON THE HWY AND THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WE COULD NEVER IMAGINE A 5YR OLD ONE OWNER VEHICLE WITH 36,000 MILES WOULD HAVE OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL. ENTERED THE VIN NUMBER TO SEE IF OUR VEHICLE WAS LISTED UNDER RECALL 14882 AND NOTHING IS COMING UP. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR MECHANIC FRIEND THAT THERE WERE 5 OTHER EQUINOX'S WITH THIS ISSUE DURING THE CRAZY COLD WEATHER WE HAD RECENTLY. $1,400 LATER. OTHERS APPEAR TO BE REPORTING SIMILAR ISSUES AT HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CHEVROLET/EQUINOX/2013/CONSUMER-REVIEWS/PG-4/?SORTING=CREATED%3ADESC

NHTSA ODI #11176394

69,065 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Engine

YET ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX 2.4L ENGINE WITH THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. MY WIFE (WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE) CALLED ME IN TEARS TODAY, STATING THAT THE EQUINOX STARTED MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISE, AND DRIVING HORRIBLY, SO SHE WENT TO A NEARBY GARAGE, AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO OIL…

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YET ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX 2.4L ENGINE WITH THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. MY WIFE (WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE) CALLED ME IN TEARS TODAY, STATING THAT THE EQUINOX STARTED MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISE, AND DRIVING HORRIBLY, SO SHE WENT TO A NEARBY GARAGE, AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO OIL - AND THAT THIS WAS THE 2ND OR 3RD EQUINOX THAT THEY HAD SEEN IN THE LAST 2-3 WEEKS THAT CAME IN WITH ALMOST NO OIL. THIS VEHICLE HAS 69,075 MILES ON IT, AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. ALL SERVICE (OTHER THAN TODAY'S) HAVE BEEN HANDLED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GM, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, AND FINDING THAT SO MANY OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS!!

NHTSA ODI #11175949

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