IllustrationTAKATA 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.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
5525–50K
11150–75K
11375–100K
137100–150K
35150K+
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
Air Bags complaints
25 reportsTHE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT COSTS 105.00 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORT IN IT AND IT WILL COST ANOTHER 656.00+TAX THE LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE CAR.
PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG MAP SENSOR WITH FOAM, WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 688.49 ON FEB 8 2017. SEAT BELT SENSOR KEPT GOING OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEATS. I HAVE RAN A CODE READER ON IT AND IT STATED THAT IT RELATES TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE COMPLAINT. IT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION OR AT REST. STARTED TO HAPPEN AROUND 85000 MILES …
Read full complaint
MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEATS. I HAVE RAN A CODE READER ON IT AND IT STATED THAT IT RELATES TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE COMPLAINT. IT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION OR AT REST. STARTED TO HAPPEN AROUND 85000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAVE 91000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT TWICE FROM BEHIND. THE CHEMICAL FROM THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS RELEASED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CHEMICAL WAS A FINE MIST OR LIGHT SMOKE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED THE FIRST TIME I WAS HIT. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE AIRBAG MIST OCCURRED (? WITH THE FIRST OR SECOND HIT) THEY HAPPENED W…
Read full complaint
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT TWICE FROM BEHIND. THE CHEMICAL FROM THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS RELEASED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CHEMICAL WAS A FINE MIST OR LIGHT SMOKE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED THE FIRST TIME I WAS HIT. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE AIRBAG MIST OCCURRED (? WITH THE FIRST OR SECOND HIT) THEY HAPPENED WITHIN SECONDS OF EACH OTHER. A "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE IS GOING IN FOR REPAIRS AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH AND THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY.
IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF STREET DRIVING, "SERVICE AIRBAG" WITH SCREWDRIVER ICON APPEARS AND DISSAPEARS. MECHANICS CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WIPERS STOPPED. MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS TRANSMISSION BROKEN. DASHBOARD LIGHTS RANDOMLY DIM AND BRIGHTEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND A HERD OF DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT ONE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND MY SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND A FUNNY SMELL CAME OVER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T SHUT OFF MY 4WAYS TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THAT SINCE THIS CAR…
Read full complaint
WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND A HERD OF DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT ONE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND MY SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND A FUNNY SMELL CAME OVER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T SHUT OFF MY 4WAYS TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THAT SINCE THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND I PURCHASED IT TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE THAT A FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IS RIDICULOUS AND I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRADE THIS CAR IN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH A TIGHT SEAT BELT AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS. THE MONEY I AM SPENDING TO BUY THIS CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS AS IT IS THEN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND IT NOT WORK THE WAY IT IS INTENDED TO I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED IN SOME WAY. *TR
Official recalls
216V582000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.