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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
44,000 miles · Mar 28, 2018
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE LANES. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE WIPER. THE CONTACT CALLED BICAL CHEVROLET OF VALLEY STREAM (709 W MERRICK RD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580, (516) 285-6500), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE SENDING A CASE NUMBER, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN RECEIVED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #11081781

59,000 miles · Mar 17, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING CONDITIONS IN WET WEATHER, DEALER REPLACED A CAM POSITION SENSOR. TODAY AFTER TAKING THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH UPON STARTING THE ENGINE IT WENT INTO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION, OVER 6000 RPM. AT FIRST I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. A…

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING CONDITIONS IN WET WEATHER, DEALER REPLACED A CAM POSITION SENSOR. TODAY AFTER TAKING THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH UPON STARTING THE ENGINE IT WENT INTO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION, OVER 6000 RPM. AT FIRST I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE IDLE DROPPED TO NORMAL AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11079961

106,000 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Power Train

JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE AMD TRANDMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 3RD THRU 5TH. NO WARRANTY SEEMS LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN ALOT OF EQUINOX. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN WHICH GM IS NOT TAKING SERIOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11079887

27,000 miles · Mar 10, 2018
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, IT COST ME 105.00 AT STAFFILINO CHEVROLET FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME 656.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW WHERE THE TAKATA RECALL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2019. THIS DOES NOT HELP NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE A…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, IT COST ME 105.00 AT STAFFILINO CHEVROLET FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME 656.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW WHERE THE TAKATA RECALL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2019. THIS DOES NOT HELP NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL NOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND THIS LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11078463

112,000 miles · Mar 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHEVROLET MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT CUTS OUT WHEN IDLING AND SOMETIMES DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM TOLD ME AROUND 40000 MILES THAT SOMETIMES 'YOU JUST GET A BAD APPLE.' THEY REPLACED MY MOTOR UNDER WARRANTY ABOUT 20,000 MILES AGO WITH A BRAND NEW MOTOR AND NOW MY CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHEVROLET MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT CUTS OUT WHEN IDLING AND SOMETIMES DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM TOLD ME AROUND 40000 MILES THAT SOMETIMES 'YOU JUST GET A BAD APPLE.' THEY REPLACED MY MOTOR UNDER WARRANTY ABOUT 20,000 MILES AGO WITH A BRAND NEW MOTOR AND NOW MY CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AT CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALER TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS OUT... MIND YOU I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR... AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T SERVICE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE WARRANTY WORK DONE AT THAT LOCATION. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE WE'VE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I HAVE VERY SMALL CHILDREN. I CAN'T DRIVE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED IT WHEN I AM THE ONE PAYING FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM ANYWAY....SO I KEEP GETTING CONFLICTING RESPONSES FROM CHEVY AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT. I JUST ALMOST HAVE IT PAID OFF AND CAN'T AFFORD FOR THEM TO KEEP SCREWING ME AROUND, NOR CAN I AFFORD A NEW CAR. MY CAR LOSES THE ENGINE BUT ALL BATTERY FUNCTIONS WORK. IT HAPPENS WHILE IDLING, DRIVING SLOWLY AND EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY! IT'S SO DANGEROUS AND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SAME CAR IF RESEARCHED ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11078392

112,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Engine

OIL CONSUMPTION TIMING CHAIN

NHTSA ODI #11075065

97,869 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY EQUINOX ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, A 30 MINUTE COMMUTE. MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING SOME TICKING NOISES WHEN I WAS 5 MINUTES FROM HOME. I MADE IT ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND MY ENGINE STARTED CLANKING, I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. IT WAS BITTERLY COLD AND I HAD TO PICK UP MY GIR…

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I WAS DRIVING MY EQUINOX ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, A 30 MINUTE COMMUTE. MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING SOME TICKING NOISES WHEN I WAS 5 MINUTES FROM HOME. I MADE IT ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND MY ENGINE STARTED CLANKING, I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. IT WAS BITTERLY COLD AND I HAD TO PICK UP MY GIRLS FROM DAYCARE, SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND FOUND A RIDE. TURNS OUT, MY ENGINE HAD A HGH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM DUE TO PLUGGED PCV/INTAKE SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO RUN DRY OF OIL DURING OPERATION. NO ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AT REAR CRANKCASE SEAL/REAR MAIN. IT HAD 97,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS COMMON IN SOME GMC/CHEVY VEHICLES, HOWEVER MY VIN ISN'T SPECIFICALLY COVERED. I HAVE TRIED TO TALK TO CHEVY REGARDING MY COMPLAINT, HOWEVER THEY ARE OF NO HELP. I'M AWARE OF SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE (#14882, DOCUMENT ID 4098165), BUT WITHOUT MY VIN BEING INCLUDED, I AM GETTING NO ASSISTANCE FROM CHEVY REGARDING A KNOWN ISSUE IN SOME OF THEIR EQUNIOXES. PLEASE HELP. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM EFFECTING THEIR ENGINES, AND WITHOUT A WARNING LIGHT TELLING OF THE OIL PRESSURE/LEVEL PROBLEM. THERE'S A CHANCE MANY MORE DRIVERS WILL BE LEFT STRANDED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11074913

27,000 miles · Feb 22, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. MY EQUINOX IS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT SHOULD BE. I FILED A COMPLAINT BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND STAFILINOS DIAGNOSED A SHORT. IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY WHEN I STARTED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11074383

81,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Engine

ON 12/25/2017 MY ENGINE FAILED AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST RE-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DUE TO THE RAPID DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE BUT MANAGED TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE WAITED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IN -20 WINDCHILLS. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FROZEN PCV VALVE ORIFICE WHICH …

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ON 12/25/2017 MY ENGINE FAILED AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST RE-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DUE TO THE RAPID DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE BUT MANAGED TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE WAITED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IN -20 WINDCHILLS. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FROZEN PCV VALVE ORIFICE WHICH PRESSURIZED THE CRANKCASE AND BLEW THE MAIN SEAL. AFTER REPLACING THE MAIN SEAL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MY VEHICLE ENGINE AND YEAR MATCHES THE GROUP COVERED BY SPECIAL SERVICE ADJUSTMENT 14882 BUT MY VIN, LIKE SO MANY LISTED ON THIS SITE, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE EXACT DEFECT DEFINED IN BULLETIN 14882.

NHTSA ODI #11073968

114,000 miles · Feb 19, 2018
Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE . I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER CHECK THE OIL CONSUMPTION EVERY 1000 MI FOR 3000 MI FOR DOCUMENTATION. AT THE END OF THAT 3000 MI THE CAR WAS LOW 4.5 QUARTS OF OIL. PER GM THAT IS WITHIN THEIR 'SPECS' AND WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED IE; PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS AT THIS POINT.. EVEN THOUGH THIS…

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EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE . I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER CHECK THE OIL CONSUMPTION EVERY 1000 MI FOR 3000 MI FOR DOCUMENTATION. AT THE END OF THAT 3000 MI THE CAR WAS LOW 4.5 QUARTS OF OIL. PER GM THAT IS WITHIN THEIR 'SPECS' AND WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED IE; PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS AT THIS POINT.. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN GM ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR SHAKES AND DIES WHEN STOPPING AND IDLING. RUNS TERRIBLE AND YOU CAN HEAR THE RATTLES IN THE ENGINE. NO OIL LIGHT HAS EVER COME ON IN THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE TIMES IT WAS CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT. SEE THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF SERVICE DOCUMENTATION BELOW. I ALSO HAVE A SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER OF SR 8-355-8368066 WITHIN GM WHICH HAS BEEN ESCALATED AND CLOSED. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND WAS GIVEN A NEW SERVICE REQUEST TO BE ASSIGNED TO A NEW SR SERVICE ADVISER, 8-391-1491891. #13-06-01-003H: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ' PERFORM OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND/OR INSTALL PISTON AND PISTON RING KIT ' (FEB 9, 2016)

NHTSA ODI #11073626

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