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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

Power Train complaints

80 reports
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135,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
EnginePower Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT AROUND 135,000 MILES. FOLLOWING THAT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER, THE RPMS STARTED TO RANDOMLY SPIKE UP, AND IT BEGAN CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A TOP THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OFF OR BEGIN SHAKING REALLY BAD AND THEN TURN OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHEVY DEALER AND THERE …

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT AROUND 135,000 MILES. FOLLOWING THAT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER, THE RPMS STARTED TO RANDOMLY SPIKE UP, AND IT BEGAN CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A TOP THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OFF OR BEGIN SHAKING REALLY BAD AND THEN TURN OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHEVY DEALER AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11166196

60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2018
EnginePower Train

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. RPMS SPIKE WHEN IDELING AND VEHICLE PHYSICALLY JUMPS FORWARD. VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN COMING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11161066

82,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018
EnginePower Train

82K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM HAVING TO PUT 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN CAR BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES NOW AND THE OIL DIPSTICK IS DRY. I FILL UP WITH APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS AND THE ENGINE IS FINE UNTIL ANOTHER 200-300 MILES WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND THE DIPSTIC…

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82K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM HAVING TO PUT 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN CAR BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES NOW AND THE OIL DIPSTICK IS DRY. I FILL UP WITH APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS AND THE ENGINE IS FINE UNTIL ANOTHER 200-300 MILES WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND THE DIPSTICK IS DRY AGAIN. HAD THIS ISSUE LAST YEAR IN MAY IN TX AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GASKET WAS BAD AND THEY REPLACED THAT. CAR RAN FINE FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND NOW I CAN NOT GO OVER 1000 MILES WITHOUT PUTTING IN QUARTS OF OIL.

NHTSA ODI #11118767

84,000 miles · Aug 6, 2018
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX ON 5/2/16. ON 1/1/18 WITH 84,000 MILES, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 4 CHILDREN AND THE STABILITY TRACK, REDUCED POWER WARNING FLASHED, ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING, AND THEN A MESSAGE TO STOP THE ENGINE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN 0 DEGREE WEATHER WITH MY AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. AFTER …

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I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX ON 5/2/16. ON 1/1/18 WITH 84,000 MILES, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 4 CHILDREN AND THE STABILITY TRACK, REDUCED POWER WARNING FLASHED, ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING, AND THEN A MESSAGE TO STOP THE ENGINE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN 0 DEGREE WEATHER WITH MY AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. AFTER WAITING OVER 2 HRS I WAS TOWED HOME. ON 1/2/18 CHEVY'S CORPORATE OFFICE ADVISED TOWING TO CHEVY DEALER. I TOOK ALL OF MY SERVICE RECORDS AS REQUESTED. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS TOLD THE MAIN SEAL FAILED AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND CHEVY HAD REFUSED ANY REPAIR COST ASSISTANCE SO $1500 WAS THE QUOTE LATER THAT DAY THEY QUOTED ME $2000. I PURCHASED THE CHEVY 18 MONTHS PRIOR AND OWE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH JEFF SCHMITT CHEVY IN BEAVERCREEK, OH AND CHEVY'S CORPORATE OFFICE, EACH BLAMING THE OTHER FOR REFUSING REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK HOME AND WAS BILLED $130.00+ FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER ACTED ANNOYED BY MY REQUEST TO HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTICS IN WRITING ON THE BILL. I WAS ALSO RACKING UP A RENTAL CAR TAB. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED OTHER DEALERS WHO QUOTED $1300 BUT THE SEAL WAS ON BACKORDER. I LOCATED A DEALER 2 HOURS AWAY WHO HAD THE PART IN STOCK AND QUOTED $1300 BASED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 2 HOURS AWAY $ TO FIND OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED CAUSING THE SEAL TO FAIL AND COST $2200. [XXX] DIAGNOSTIC? THIS CHEVY BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY. 1000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AND THE DIPSTICK IS DRY, BUT NO OIL LEAKS.? NOW THE LIFTGATE HAS GONE ROGUE. IT OPENS AND THEN CLOSES VERY FORCEFULLY (VIOLENTLY), IMMEDIATLY AFTER OPENING INJURING ME. I FIND IT EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND HAVE BANNED MY CHILDREN FROM OPERATING THE LIFTGATE FOR FEAR THAT IT MAY CRUSH ONE OF THEM. GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN VERY LOYAL TO CHEVY. CHEVY, WHERE DOES YOUR LOYALTY LIE? PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

NHTSA ODI #11115871

72,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
EnginePower Train

THE ENGINE DOES NOT CONSUME OIL PROPERLY AND USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CAR HAS HAD REGULAR AND ON TIME MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. THERE IS NO WARNING OR NOTICE WHEN THE OIL IS LOW AND THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND I WOULD HAVE NOT NOTICE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN THIS A LOT IN T…

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THE ENGINE DOES NOT CONSUME OIL PROPERLY AND USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CAR HAS HAD REGULAR AND ON TIME MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. THERE IS NO WARNING OR NOTICE WHEN THE OIL IS LOW AND THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND I WOULD HAVE NOT NOTICE. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN THIS A LOT IN THESE CARS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SOLUTION IS THE CAR NEEDS NEW PISTONS A $2,000 REPAIR. THE CAR HAS ONLY 72,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR ALSO NEEDS NEW TIMING CHAINS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ALSO SEE THIS A LOT. ANOTHER $2,000 REPAIR. THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #11101212

113,195 miles · May 2, 2018
EnginePower Train

THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX BURNS SO MUCH OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES THAT I AM CONSTANTLY DUMPING OIL IN. CHEVY WILL NOT INCLUDE MY YEAR IN ANY SERVICE BULLETINS, MAKING ME RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK AND BUYING OIL EVERY WEEK. ALSO, THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM IS RUINING THE ENGINE, LEADING TO A CRACK IN THE EXH…

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THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX BURNS SO MUCH OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES THAT I AM CONSTANTLY DUMPING OIL IN. CHEVY WILL NOT INCLUDE MY YEAR IN ANY SERVICE BULLETINS, MAKING ME RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK AND BUYING OIL EVERY WEEK. ALSO, THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM IS RUINING THE ENGINE, LEADING TO A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO LEAK INTO THE CABIN. ESPECIALLY IF I USE THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING, THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE CRACKED FOR FEAR THAT I WOULD GAS MYSELF TO DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11091330

50,500 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Power Train

DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFER CASE CRACKED AND SPRAYING OIL ON ENGINE ACCORDING TO MECHANIC. ALSO, ACCORDING TO MECHANIC THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. CONSIDERING THE OIL IS SPRAYING ON THE ENGINE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11084412

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

84,613 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Power Train

INTAKE PCV PORT FROZE-INTERNAL OIL PRESSURE IN MOTION SLOWED THEN STOPPED THEN I WOULD RESTART CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11066721

132,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
EnginePower Train

THIS CAR HAS HAD DOCUMENTED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2015. CHEVROLET WILL NOT MAKE RIGHT. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND MAIN SEAL TWICE DUE TO MASSIVE OIL LEAKAGE AND LOSS. MOST RECENTLY ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MPH AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. A VER…

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THIS CAR HAS HAD DOCUMENTED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2015. CHEVROLET WILL NOT MAKE RIGHT. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND MAIN SEAL TWICE DUE TO MASSIVE OIL LEAKAGE AND LOSS. MOST RECENTLY ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MPH AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. EVEN THOUGH OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED 1500 MILES PREVIOUSLY, IT WAS BONE DRY AND MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. GM SAYS IT "COSTS TOO MUCH" TO REPLACE FAULTY PISTON RINGS WHICH ARE THE SOURCE OF SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALLS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED DRIVING THESE THINGS!! THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED UP ON ME IN TRAFFIC. CAR ONLY HAS 132K MILES, PROBLEMS STARTED AT AROUND 45K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11061944

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