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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

7 reports
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56,250 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

DIGITAL SPEED WON'T LIGHT UP. NO LIGHT DRIVING OR STILL M

NHTSA ODI #11310593

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2019
Exterior LightingPower TrainStructureInjury

PURCHASED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY JUNE 29, 2019 FROM CHEVY DEALER IN ROSEVILLE CA. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE I NOTICED THE LIFTGATE COMING DOWN BY ITSELF. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING VEHICLE IN. IN THE MEANTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON, SO WHEN I MADE THE …

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PURCHASED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY JUNE 29, 2019 FROM CHEVY DEALER IN ROSEVILLE CA. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE I NOTICED THE LIFTGATE COMING DOWN BY ITSELF. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING VEHICLE IN. IN THE MEANTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON, SO WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT I ALSO MENTIONED THIS TO THE SERVICE AGENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN , AS A DROP IN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE I STAY OVER AN HOUR AWAY FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I;D HAPPENED TO BE IN THE AREA ON THIS DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED IN AND THE SERVICE AGENT HELPING ME ASKED COULD I LEAVE THE VEHICLE I AT THIS TIME REPLIED NO, BECAUSE OF HOW FAR WE'D TRAVELED TO GET THERE I DID NOT HAVE A WAY HOME. I'D STATED TO HIM AT THIS TIME WHEN I'D BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN BEFORE FOR SERVICE THAT I WAS PROVIDED A COURTESY VEHICLE, HE SAID THAT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE AND THAT I COULD RENT A VEHICLE, I DECLINED. THE AGENT CAME OUTSIDE TO WITNESS THE LIFTGATE GOING DOWN ON IT'S OWN AND AGAIN ASKED IF I WANTED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE,I AGAIN STATED TO HIM I DROVE OVER 1 HOUR AND I DID NOT HAVE A WAY TO GET HOME. HE AT THIS TIME STATED HE HAD 300 VEHICLES AHEAD OF MINE AND IT WOULD TAKE HIM SOME TIME TO GET TO MY VEHICLE. HE WAS VERY RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL WHILE HELPING ME. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO HIS SUPERVISOR WHICH I DID AND HE ALSO WITNESSED THE LIFTGATE GOING DOWN ON ITS OWN, WE IN TURN WENT INSIDE TO CHECK THE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD IT HAD EXPIRED THE PRIOR MONTH AND DID NOT COVER THEM CHECKING TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND THEY REFUSE TO TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. RECENTLY, AS I WAS IN THE REAR OF THE PARKED VEHICLE THE LIFTGATE CAME DOWN ON MY SHOULDER WHICH REQUIRED ME TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

NHTSA ODI #11291902

58,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT UNITS WERE FOGGY AND THERE WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. *BF

NHTSA ODI #11244396

123,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
EngineExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY NO SYSTEM WARNING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE STEEL SHAVINGS WERE GOING INTO HEAD GASKET FROM OVER OIL COMSUPTION.

NHTSA ODI #11204472

63,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat BeltsCrash

A SEMI TIRE BOUNCED AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND CRACKED MY GRILL. MY HAZARD LIGHTS POPPED ON, MY DOME LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT AND IT LOCKED UP. NO ONE WAS IN PASSENGERS SIDE AND THAT SEAT BELT LOCKED AS WELL. SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT C…

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A SEMI TIRE BOUNCED AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND CRACKED MY GRILL. MY HAZARD LIGHTS POPPED ON, MY DOME LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELTS LOCKED UP AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT AND IT LOCKED UP. NO ONE WAS IN PASSENGERS SIDE AND THAT SEAT BELT LOCKED AS WELL. SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON AND STILL THE SMELL OF AIRBAGS IN THE CAR. NOW UNABLE TO BUCKLE UP, AND CANT REACH THE PEDALS BECAUSE MY SEAT WONT MOVE BECAUSE THE SEATBELT IS LOCKED. ON HIGHWAY, IN MOTION ABOUT 62 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11111955

12,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

THE LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME, I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE PUSH ME OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THE COLLISION SENOR GOES OFF WHEN THERE IS NOT…

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THE LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME, I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE PUSH ME OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THE COLLISION SENOR GOES OFF WHEN THERE IS NOTHING AROUND THE CAR AND BOGGS DOWN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME THE WEEK OF CHRISTIMAS. I DROVE IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THAT FRIDAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK CROSSING OVER A BUSY INTERSECTION THE COLLISION ALERT STARTED RINGING AND THE SENOR IS OFF AND THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY STILL CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I SAY THE GM OBVIOUSLY HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS, BECAUSE READING OTHERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561202

2,818 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AS I WAS DRIVING THE DASH LIGHTS AND THE TOUCH SCREEN RADIO LIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER EQUINOX OWNERS AND THE HAVE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT ALL THE LIGHTING SYSTEMS TO INCLUDE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520889

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