← New search

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 →

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
Clear category filter
177,000 miles · Dec 31, 2017
EnginePower Train

I MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2013 EQUINOX INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS SMELLING STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAB. AS SOON AS I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THAT IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THE EQUINOX MODELS. THEN 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT MY CHECK ENGI…

Read full complaint

I MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2013 EQUINOX INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS SMELLING STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CAB. AS SOON AS I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THAT IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THE EQUINOX MODELS. THEN 2 DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT MY CHECK ENGINE LIKE TURNED ON SO I PARKED IT AND DIDN'T DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I GOT THERE I LET THEM KNOW THAT THE LIGHT HAD JUST CAME ON. AFTER INSPECTING MY CAR THEY FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOID WAS OUT OF SPEC. THE REMOVED IT AND REPLACED IT AND FOUND A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS ON THE ACTUATOR. R/R INTAKE SOLENOID AND AND CLEANED MORE METAL SHAVINGS OFF OF THAT. THEY CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK, CAR IS NOT LEAKING OIL AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP CAME OUT AND TALKED WITH US AND SAID THAT WE NEED A FULL ENGINE REBUILD BECAUSE THESE CARS WILL START TO USE OIL AND THE TIMING CHAIN WEARS THE GUIDE OUT AT THEN THE CHAIN GETS WORN OUT AND IT RUINS THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO INDICATORS OF ISSUES UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHOT. THE DEALERSHIP AND GM SAID THAT THERE IS A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR 2010 - 2012 EUQINOX TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE MINE IS A YEAR NEWER (2013) THAT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY. NOT ONLY IS THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHOT AFTER 117,000 MILES AND 4 YEARS BUT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED RIGHT AT THE THE FRESH AIR INTAKE AND SO IT SUCKS EXHAUST RIGHT INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEAT IS RUNNING. IT IS SO STRONG THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO DRIVE IT. NOT SAFE!!! SUPER DANGEROUS TO BE FILLING THE CAB WITH CARBON MONOXIDE! NOT TO MENTION THE ENGINE IS TOTALLY SHOT DUE TO A DESIGNE FLAW AND COULD BREAK DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ANYTIME.

NHTSA ODI #11057752

1,000,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR IS CUTTING OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN PARKING ALSO AT STOP LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY COMING ON. ONLY TO FIND OUT MY CAR HAD NO OIL. NOTE I KEEP MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE UP ON MY CAR DUE TO HAVING A SMALL CHILD. ALSO CAM SHAFT CODE MY CAR IS O…

Read full complaint

MY CAR IS CUTTING OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN PARKING ALSO AT STOP LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY COMING ON. ONLY TO FIND OUT MY CAR HAD NO OIL. NOTE I KEEP MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE UP ON MY CAR DUE TO HAVING A SMALL CHILD. ALSO CAM SHAFT CODE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I JUST PAID CAR PAYMENT. READING COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING ALOT. NOT SURE IF I WILL KEEP THIS CAR FEELING VERY UNSAFE WITH A SMALL CHILD AND CAR CUTTING OFF AND OIL RUNNING OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS GMC SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED YEARS AGO. PUTTING FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER JUST TOO MAKE A DOLLAR. SAFETY FIRST IS MY #1 REASON FOR SHARING THIS MY CAR CUT OFF 12 TIMES IN ONE DAY REALLY & I WOULD KEEP THIS CAR .I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE CAR TURNING OFF .I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT AND RESTART IT REALLY ON 2013.I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME ONCE AGAIN I HAVE A LEMON AND I KNOW FOR FACT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11054401

87,000 miles · Aug 11, 2017
Power Train

MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LAST WEEK AFTER I HAD PICKED IT UP FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY HAD REPAIRED MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON I AM UNABLE TO USE MY REMOTE START. MY ENGINE SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO CUT OUT. MY CAR DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11014550

190,000 miles · Jul 11, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CAR BEGAN STALLING. VEHICLE ALWAYS WAS LOW ON OIL, EVEN WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. LOSS OF ACCELERATION SPEED AND STALLING BECAME USUAL. FINALLY AFTER FILLING THE TANK IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD IT TOWED. TIMING CHAIN WAS THE REASON GIVEN SO $3600 LATER I FIGURED IT WAS FIXED. NOT THE CASE. O…

Read full complaint

6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CAR BEGAN STALLING. VEHICLE ALWAYS WAS LOW ON OIL, EVEN WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. LOSS OF ACCELERATION SPEED AND STALLING BECAME USUAL. FINALLY AFTER FILLING THE TANK IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD IT TOWED. TIMING CHAIN WAS THE REASON GIVEN SO $3600 LATER I FIGURED IT WAS FIXED. NOT THE CASE. OIL WAS STILL HAVING TO BE ADDED AND 1.5 YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN. WE STILL OWE 9K ON A CAR THAT IS INOPERABLE AND ALSO USAA REQUIRES US TO KEEP OUR INSURANCE. I

NHTSA ODI #11004200

115,986 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Power Train

I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED MY ENGINE THAT BLEW UP. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A DOCTORS. APPT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUV WENT FROM DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT TO BARELY MOVING. I HAD TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO PARK IT IN A SAFE PLACE.I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION DIED. SO IN LE…

Read full complaint

I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED MY ENGINE THAT BLEW UP. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A DOCTORS. APPT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUV WENT FROM DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT TO BARELY MOVING. I HAD TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO PARK IT IN A SAFE PLACE.I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION DIED. SO IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ONCE I HIT 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR BOTH TO COMPLETELY DIE BACK TO BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10966406

27,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Power Train

THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS. THEY SEEM TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. HAVE BROUGHT IT TO SEVERAL DEALERS,THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL REALLY. THIS IS NOT SAFE. CALLED GM THEY ARE NO HELP!!

NHTSA ODI #10944525

116,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10918894

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 75, STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE CAN UP FOLLOWED BY REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR REDUCED SPEED VERY QUICKLY WHILE IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. MANAGED TO MOVE TO SHOULDER SAFELY, HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. POWERED OFF VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN TURNED BACK ON TO ATTEMPT RESTART, MESSAGES…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 75, STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE CAN UP FOLLOWED BY REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR REDUCED SPEED VERY QUICKLY WHILE IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. MANAGED TO MOVE TO SHOULDER SAFELY, HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. POWERED OFF VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN TURNED BACK ON TO ATTEMPT RESTART, MESSAGES ARE GONE BUT LEFT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WOULD TURNOVER AND SPUTTER BUT WOULD NOT REMAIN RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918424

39,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE , LOOSING ALL POWER TO THROTTLE , POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEGUN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT . TODAY WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF CAUS…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE , LOOSING ALL POWER TO THROTTLE , POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEGUN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT . TODAY WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO FIGHT THE CARS STEERING TO SAFELY BRING IT TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND THEN RE INSERT KEY AND RE START THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10894209

33,000 miles · Jul 28, 2016
EnginePower TrainVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND COMPRESSION TEST EVERY 1,000 MILES. TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND COMPRESSION TEST EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PISTON IN THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED WITH UNKNOWN PARTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10889297

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