NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
751 reports18,026 miles · May 19, 2014
EngineStructureWheelsFire
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNO…
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I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC FORM TO FIX OR REPLACE. IT WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEARLERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AT. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND BEGIN TO GET MY THREE YEAR OLD OUT OF HIS CARSEAT. I LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SO MUCH BLACK SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE HOOD I COULD NOT SEE OUR SHED OR ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I YELLED TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN (BOTH 6), TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARSEATS AND RUN INTO THE WOODS. I UNBUCKLED ONE CHILD AND THE OTHER CHILD SLIPPED OUT OF HER BUCKLE. THEY RAN TO A SAFE SPOT. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE CALLED 911 AND GOT OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. CAME OUTSUDE AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY AND POURING OUT OF THE HOOD IN NUMEROUS PLACES. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH DID NOT HELP. I GOT THE GARDEN HOSE AND TRIED TO USE THAT, BUT WAS GETTING TOO DANGEROUS. SO I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS MAKING LOUD CRACKING AND EXPLODING NOISES. THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE I COULD NOT SEE THE HOUSE WHICH WAS CLOSE BY. THE WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE PASSANGER AIRBAG WENT OFF. THE THREE CHILDREN COUNTINUED TO BE 500 FEET INTO THE WOODS AND I FRANTICALLY WAS RUNNING AROUND (37 WEEK PREGNANT).THE SHED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETLY MELTED AND RUINED OUR DRIVEWAY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592378
200 miles · May 16, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA ODI #10588911
200 miles · May 16, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA ODI #10588903
5,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility
I HAVE TWO 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO AND CENTER A/C CONSOLE/HEATER/DEFROSTER. IF A USB DEVICE IS PLUGGED INTO THE RECEPTACLE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AT TIMES THE RADIO AND CONSOLE STOP WORKING. THIS AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BY DISABLING THE DEFROSTER CONTROL ALLOWING THE WINDO…
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I HAVE TWO 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO AND CENTER A/C CONSOLE/HEATER/DEFROSTER. IF A USB DEVICE IS PLUGGED INTO THE RECEPTACLE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AT TIMES THE RADIO AND CONSOLE STOP WORKING. THIS AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BY DISABLING THE DEFROSTER CONTROL ALLOWING THE WINDOWS TO ICE UP (ESPECIALLY IN MICHIGAN). I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER AS TO WHY IT HAPPENS AND THEY HAD NO ANSWER. THE SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS REBOOTED FINE AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR 5-10 MINUTES. AGAIN THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN A USB DEVICE IS PLUGGED IN. IT IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOOTING OF THE CENTER CONSOLE THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING THE DEVICES TO WORK. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ITEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586768
5,040 miles · May 6, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL THE ENGINE WENT TO A REDUCED POWER MODE (IDLE)....I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR...COULD NOT MOVE....COULD NOT EVEN MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD...BLOCKING TRAFFIC....CALLED ONSTAR CHEVY EMERG ROAD ASSIST...WHILE MAKING ARRANGEMENT FOR TOW HE ASKED FOR MILEAGE...I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO GET RID OF…
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WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL THE ENGINE WENT TO A REDUCED POWER MODE (IDLE)....I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR...COULD NOT MOVE....COULD NOT EVEN MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD...BLOCKING TRAFFIC....CALLED ONSTAR CHEVY EMERG ROAD ASSIST...WHILE MAKING ARRANGEMENT FOR TOW HE ASKED FOR MILEAGE...I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO GET RID OF THE SCREEN WHICH SAID "REDUCED ENGINE POWER"....GAVEHIM THE MILEAGE...WHEN RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE ENGINE NOW IDLED NORMAL AND WHEN PU IN DRIVE , I COULD NOW MOVE THE CAR....CANCELED THE SERVICE...TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT AM...THEY DIAGNOSED THE TROUBLE TO BE A "BINDING THROTTLE BODY" IT WAS REPLACED...I AM APPREHENSIVE DRIVING THE CAR , ESPECIALLY ON I95 WITH TRUCKS AND CARS TRAVELING 70/80 MPH I COULD GET KILLED....... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586758
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
5,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
PURCHASED 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX LTZ ON JAN 2013. A MONTH LATER A MOLDY/RUBBERY SMELL COMING FROM THE AC VENTS. IT WAS GETTING WORST SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK UP. THEY CLEANED AND DISINFECTED AC SYSTEM. INSTALLED A BLOWER COMPRESSOR TO DRY WATER THAT SITS FROM AC.ON...HUM... THEY TOLD ME SINCE I LIVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS…
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PURCHASED 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX LTZ ON JAN 2013. A MONTH LATER A MOLDY/RUBBERY SMELL COMING FROM THE AC VENTS. IT WAS GETTING WORST SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK UP. THEY CLEANED AND DISINFECTED AC SYSTEM. INSTALLED A BLOWER COMPRESSOR TO DRY WATER THAT SITS FROM AC.ON...HUM... THEY TOLD ME SINCE I LIVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, I WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM...HUM... JUST BE AWARE THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT SURVIVE ON A TROPIC CLIMATE BECAUSE OF THE MOLD .... LAME EXCUSED FROM DEALER. TWO YEARS LATER STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM...TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEAN AND DISINFECT AIR VENTS AND KEEPS HAPPENING. APRIL 2014 TAKING IT BACK FOR THAT AND OTHER ISSUES THAT I WILL ADDRESS HERE. THANK YOU. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH GM BUILDING DEFECTIVE CARS AND NOT ADMITTING IT. MY FIRST AND MY LAST AMERICAN CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583625
75,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #10577115
12,800 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibilityVisibility/wiper
THIS IS AN OLD CHEVROLET EQUINOX RECALL THAT IS FROM THE 2010 MODEL AND IS HAPPENING TO MY 2013 AS WELL. THE RADIO CONTROLS AND A/C-DEFROST CONTROL'S ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. "FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS AND WITH FEDERAL M…
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THIS IS AN OLD CHEVROLET EQUINOX RECALL THAT IS FROM THE 2010 MODEL AND IS HAPPENING TO MY 2013 AS WELL. THE RADIO CONTROLS AND A/C-DEFROST CONTROL'S ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. "FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS AND WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" CHEVROLET IS TELLING ME THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN CHEVROLET. REFERENCE TO: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS/RECALLRESULTS.CFM?START=1&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&RCL_ID=09V489000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576616
24,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System
DRIVING ON 5 LANE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH CAR SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON AND WENT DEAD. CARS AND TRUCKS ON BOTH SIDE OF ME AND HAD TO TRY. AND GET ON LEFT SHOULDER WHICH I DID WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT RESTARTED OK AND I CONTINUED ON . THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE I PURCHA…
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DRIVING ON 5 LANE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH CAR SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON AND WENT DEAD. CARS AND TRUCKS ON BOTH SIDE OF ME AND HAD TO TRY. AND GET ON LEFT SHOULDER WHICH I DID WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT RESTARTED OK AND I CONTINUED ON . THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE. RETURNED TO DEALER BOTH TIMES AND THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID NOTHING WRONG. I AM AFRAID IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN WITH MY CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN IN CAR AND MAYBE WOULDN'T BE SO LUCKY TO GET OFF ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576380
Official recalls
2Aug 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.
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 ↗