Engine running rough... sputters when started
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
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
63 reportsThere is an oil consumption issue. This car needs oil every other week. It’s burning way to much.
Excessive oil consumption. I have had to refill the oil more often than usual and oil changes have been needed prior to reaching the 3,000 - 5,000 miles and before 3 months. This was even after the initial recall was repaired. It has continued to do this.
Rear main seal and not available for inspection. Losing oil too fast and will make car stall when driving it and cause an accident also can ruin motor when driving it. Vehicle was inspected by auto mechanics and needs to be fixed but the 2013 year there was never a recall for this issue. There were no signs of symptoms at all.…
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Rear main seal and not available for inspection. Losing oil too fast and will make car stall when driving it and cause an accident also can ruin motor when driving it. Vehicle was inspected by auto mechanics and needs to be fixed but the 2013 year there was never a recall for this issue. There were no signs of symptoms at all. This started to happen back in December 2022.
UNKNOWN. This particular make & model has an oil consumption recall & a recall on the piston rings due to the oil consumption. I have owned the vehicle since 2019 & have had issues with it every since it was purchased. It was taken to the dealership for idling & a rear knocking consistent noise & they could not find the issue & …
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UNKNOWN. This particular make & model has an oil consumption recall & a recall on the piston rings due to the oil consumption. I have owned the vehicle since 2019 & have had issues with it every since it was purchased. It was taken to the dealership for idling & a rear knocking consistent noise & they could not find the issue & they were even aware that had recalls but could not find an issue or even offer to fix the recall issue. Now, the past year it has been consuming oil & it has completely stop operating & smokes like crazy. The check engine light is not even on & the car is feeling like it is overheating as well. Still, there are no warning or check engine lights on. The car is not giving any codes on a diagnostic meter. Last year the check engine light came on & all fluids were changed & air intake & valves were replaced as well. I have received both recall letters after purchase but was unsuccessful at getting anyone to locate or search for the recall issue. Our safety was compromised as the car just completely stopped going in traffic & could have caused someone else to hit it due to it stalling. I am not certain at what component has failed but the complete system is inoperable. UNKNOWN cause.
Excessive oil loss. Must check oil every two day. Engine clicking.
I was driving on the highway and the stabilitrak light came on as well as the power steering, ABS, traction control light and engine light then my car literally slowed down and had no power. I was doing 60 mile an hour and it down shifted to almost 5 miles an hour, thank God there were no cars near nor behind me, it would have k…
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I was driving on the highway and the stabilitrak light came on as well as the power steering, ABS, traction control light and engine light then my car literally slowed down and had no power. I was doing 60 mile an hour and it down shifted to almost 5 miles an hour, thank God there were no cars near nor behind me, it would have killed me and my daughter So now the service stabilitrak light is on / the check engine light is on / the power steering light and break light comes on and then goes off. The diagnostic read says – 1.)P0575 Cruise Control switch, 2.)P0700, 3.)U0101 - loss communication with transmission control module replace, 4.)Transmission input shaft speed sensor, 5.)Replace transmission electrical hydraulic control module, 6.)U0073 CAN bus Communication Is there a recall on this – this is very dangerous!!!
Engine light on
My 2013 Equinox has a plugged PCV system. Ironically, this is the same EXACT issue related to a Special Coverage Adjustment put out by Chevy. Special Coverage Adjustment 14882. My car falls into the timeframe of 10 years and under 120,000.00 to have this covered for free but they say my VIN wasn't included in this Special Adjust…
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My 2013 Equinox has a plugged PCV system. Ironically, this is the same EXACT issue related to a Special Coverage Adjustment put out by Chevy. Special Coverage Adjustment 14882. My car falls into the timeframe of 10 years and under 120,000.00 to have this covered for free but they say my VIN wasn't included in this Special Adjustment. Because my part wasn't made a plant who decided to put out this bulletin, I am just screwed? Dealer had an Equinox in the shop at the same time as mine with the EXACT issue, his car was older than 2013 but his VIN was included. Clearly this is an issue and it isn't right to assume that maybe some parts were missed and can still have the issue even if they weren't made at a particular plant. I want an answer as to why they aren't willing to at least pay half when they are claiming some responsibility and just trying to tell me that my particular part has reached the end of it's life and nothing to do with the VIN's that are included in this adjustment. That is a poor excuse. I was dropping my daughter off at work when all this noise started happening and made it the couple blocks home. Now it has been sitting at the shop for 6 weeks while I have been trying to figure this out. Luckily my other daughter has a car I have been able to use for immediate needs but this is beyond ridiculous. This is a safety issue and something that is a problem with Chevy and no one wants to take ownership.
2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATAYLTIC CONVERTOR FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAPPENED TO FAIL ACROSS THE STREET FROM A REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE LOCAL SHOP. THE CONSUMER LATER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL. THE MANUFAC…
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2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATAYLTIC CONVERTOR FAILED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAPPENED TO FAIL ACROSS THE STREET FROM A REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE LOCAL SHOP. THE CONSUMER LATER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSING THE REPAIR COST DUE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS BEING USED FOR THE REPAIR.
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.
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