← 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

What owners actually said

751 reports
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…

Read full complaint

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

80,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Engine

OIL INDICATOR AND SCREEN FLASHED MESSAGE TO SOP CAR IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND FORCED TO TRY TO GET TO THE BERM. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK TO THE STORE FROM THE FREEWAY TO PURCHASE OIL. A NEW OIL CHANGE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED 2000 MILES BEFORE SO THE CAR WASN'T DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE YET. THIS CAR HAS THE E…

Read full complaint

OIL INDICATOR AND SCREEN FLASHED MESSAGE TO SOP CAR IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND FORCED TO TRY TO GET TO THE BERM. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK TO THE STORE FROM THE FREEWAY TO PURCHASE OIL. A NEW OIL CHANGE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED 2000 MILES BEFORE SO THE CAR WASN'T DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE YET. THIS CAR HAS THE ECOTEC 2.4 LITER ENGINE AND IS CONSUMING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT CONSUMED 3.5 QUARTS WITHIN 2000 MILES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY OR ELSEWHERE.

NHTSA ODI #11145377

79,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED EVERY WEEK THE OIL GOT LOW IN HER VEHICLE, BUT SHE DID NOT SEE THE OIL ON THE ENGINE OR THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SALES INC. (3100 PLEASANT VALLEY BLVD, ALTOONA, PA 16602, 814-942-9000) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHIC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED EVERY WEEK THE OIL GOT LOW IN HER VEHICLE, BUT SHE DID NOT SEE THE OIL ON THE ENGINE OR THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SALES INC. (3100 PLEASANT VALLEY BLVD, ALTOONA, PA 16602, 814-942-9000) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11144438

110,384 miles · Oct 28, 2018
Engine

I WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE DURING A VISIT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THIS YEAR. THEY SUGGESTED A REPAIR TO REPLACE THE PISTONS AND RINGS. ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR OS $3,970. CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS KNOW TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING AND THEY EVEN AN…

Read full complaint

I WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE DURING A VISIT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THIS YEAR. THEY SUGGESTED A REPAIR TO REPLACE THE PISTONS AND RINGS. ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR OS $3,970. CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS KNOW TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING AND THEY EVEN ANNOUNCED A 16118 ' EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION NOTICE IN 2017. I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM HAS CARRIED OVER TO THE 2013 MODEL AND WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESEARCHED. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11143477

109,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE LOW NO MATTER HOW MUCH OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE LOW NO MATTER HOW MUCH OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #11142900

89,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Engine

GOT OIL CHANGE AT CHEVY IN MARCH 2018, STOPPED DRIVING APRIL 4 BECAUSE OF MATERNITY LEAVE. STARTED DRIVING IN LATE MAY AND MY CAR STARTS DYING RANDOMLY WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. THEN CHECK ENGINE GOES ON. I CALL CHEVY AND MY WARRANTY WAS UP IN LATE APRIL. I PLEED STATING I WAS ON MATERNITY AND DOCTOR ORDER TO NOT DRIVE. THEY W…

Read full complaint

GOT OIL CHANGE AT CHEVY IN MARCH 2018, STOPPED DRIVING APRIL 4 BECAUSE OF MATERNITY LEAVE. STARTED DRIVING IN LATE MAY AND MY CAR STARTS DYING RANDOMLY WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. THEN CHECK ENGINE GOES ON. I CALL CHEVY AND MY WARRANTY WAS UP IN LATE APRIL. I PLEED STATING I WAS ON MATERNITY AND DOCTOR ORDER TO NOT DRIVE. THEY WOULD NOT BUSGE. SO MY HUSBAND WHO IS A MECHANIC CHECKS CHANGES THE OIL, IT'S BONE DRY, AS IF THEY HAD NEVER CHANGED IT. KEEP IN MIND I HAD TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND BARELY DROVE THE CAR SINCE. SO HE FLUSHED THE ENGINE WITH OIL A FEW TIMES TO REALLY CLEAN IT OUT, CHANGES THE FILTER, AND THEN FILLS HER UP. THE CODES AND ALL DATA AND REPLACES THE INTAKE AND EHAUST SOLENOIDS...STILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR DIES AT IDLE. WE SUSPECT OIL EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION BROKE THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, BUT WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL HE CAN TAKE APART THE ENGINE. UNTIL THEN I AM CHECKING OIL WEEKLY AND FILLING OIL ABOUT EVERY 3 WEEKS. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION IS ABSURD. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH YOURLEMONLAWRIGHTS.COM

NHTSA ODI #11142517

68,000 miles · Oct 23, 2018
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DETECTED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DETECTED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11142256

91,270 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Engine

MY VEHIVLE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION TODAY AND I HIT THE GAS BECAUSE MY LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD CARS BEHIND ME. THE LIGHT IS TURNING RED, SO I HAVE THE OPPOSITE LANES TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO GO, AND THERE I WAS STUC…

Read full complaint

MY VEHIVLE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION TODAY AND I HIT THE GAS BECAUSE MY LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD CARS BEHIND ME. THE LIGHT IS TURNING RED, SO I HAVE THE OPPOSITE LANES TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO GO, AND THERE I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. LUCKILYI WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND GET OUT OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFICS WAY. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON YESTERDAY. I HAD IT CHECKED AND CODES P0010 AND P0011 CAME UP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I CAME ACROSS OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE! HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? ESOECIALLY WHEN IT PUTS THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGERS IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE MY KIDS AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND WE WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE AFRAID OF COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11141048

90,000 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Engine

HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CHEVY'S TIMING BELT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR GM AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. THEY KEEP BLAMING IT ON OIL CONSUMPTION.

NHTSA ODI #11139944

52,500 miles · Oct 10, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A FEW RACALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND NEED TO KNOW HOW I CAN FIX THE RECALL S WITHOUT OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES

NHTSA ODI #11139477

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