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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

Wheels complaints

5 reports
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8,000 miles · Aug 12, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN PARK. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, AND POWER STEERING, ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN PARK. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, AND POWER STEERING, ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PULLEY INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VARIOUS INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO HAVE IT SERVICED; HOWEVER, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THE WARNING INDICATOR FAILURES PERSISTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243352

70,000 miles · Oct 4, 2017
Wheels

LUG NUTS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH AND ARE CRACKED. 70,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND HAVE HAD TIRES ROTATED AT DEALERSHIP AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS.

NHTSA ODI #11031769

42,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Wheels

I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES 235/55R18 99T M+S DOT M33J 007X 1810. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL, EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH THE OTHER SIZES OF LATITUDE TOUR TIRES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE TIRE THAT I HA…

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I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES 235/55R18 99T M+S DOT M33J 007X 1810. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL, EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH THE OTHER SIZES OF LATITUDE TOUR TIRES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE TIRE THAT I HAVE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER RECALLED TIRES AND HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES IMMEDIATELY, NOT BECAUSE THE TREAD IS WEARING OUT, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE IN DANGER OF BLOWING OUT DUE TO THE TREAD/SIDEWALL SEPARATION, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11030291

30,000 miles · Oct 24, 2015
Wheels

SEAL AROUND ALLOYS ARE LEAKING TIRE PRESSURE HAD TIRE REPAIRED ONCE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WARING LIGHT FOR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTANTLY STAYS ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI #10785793

18,026 miles · May 19, 2014
EngineStructureWheelsFire

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNO…

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I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC FORM TO FIX OR REPLACE. IT WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEARLERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AT. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND BEGIN TO GET MY THREE YEAR OLD OUT OF HIS CARSEAT. I LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SO MUCH BLACK SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE HOOD I COULD NOT SEE OUR SHED OR ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I YELLED TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN (BOTH 6), TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARSEATS AND RUN INTO THE WOODS. I UNBUCKLED ONE CHILD AND THE OTHER CHILD SLIPPED OUT OF HER BUCKLE. THEY RAN TO A SAFE SPOT. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE CALLED 911 AND GOT OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. CAME OUTSUDE AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY AND POURING OUT OF THE HOOD IN NUMEROUS PLACES. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH DID NOT HELP. I GOT THE GARDEN HOSE AND TRIED TO USE THAT, BUT WAS GETTING TOO DANGEROUS. SO I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS MAKING LOUD CRACKING AND EXPLODING NOISES. THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE I COULD NOT SEE THE HOUSE WHICH WAS CLOSE BY. THE WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE PASSANGER AIRBAG WENT OFF. THE THREE CHILDREN COUNTINUED TO BE 500 FEET INTO THE WOODS AND I FRANTICALLY WAS RUNNING AROUND (37 WEEK PREGNANT).THE SHED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETLY MELTED AND RUINED OUR DRIVEWAY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592378

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