2013 Chevrolet Equinox
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 751 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 21 Equinox model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 20 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorAug 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.
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V582000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 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."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
25 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 14, 2023, crash
Got into a front end collision, vehicle was totaled. Front airbags didn't deploy. Steering wheel and side airbags deployed about 5 minutes after the accident. My head hit the driver side window, cracking the whole window. Had a concussion from that.
Air bags, Apr 24, 2023
Unknown, just driving and service air bag light came on. Has not been on before and have not been in any type of accident.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH down an inclined road, the front driver-side air bag was erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash down an embankment. During the crash, the driver sustained a concussion and left arm, neck, and rib injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away to the insurance company. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift out of PARK and the key would not move, preventing the contact from turning off the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact initially called the dealer where they informed him to tow the vehicle to the dealer location. The contact then called AAA where they were able to reset the gear box; the contact was then able to shift the vehicle into the DRIVE and drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with a defective gear box; the vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer while they awaited for the parts to repair the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (Electrical System, Power Train) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING YO WORK ON CITY STREETS AND ALL AT ONCE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON SIDE
Air bags, May 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON, THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. USUALLY IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE MESSAGE WILL DISAPPEAR. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE MESSAGE WILL APPEAR. IT USUALLY CLEARS IF THE CAR IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH. NOW I REALIZE IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. THANK GOD, I HAVEN'T HAD A MAJOR COLLISION, MY AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. THIS YEAR MODEL SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR NOW HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T EVEN FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS CAR WITH THESE ISSUES. I WOULDN'T WANT TO ENDANGER OTHER FAMILIES.
Air bags, Mar 30, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AND HAS NEVER WENT OFF.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2018
I HIT A DEER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER I HIT IT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR FILLED WITH DUST COMING FROM THE DASH WERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WAS ACTIVATED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. WHICH NOW CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURE OF THE AIRBAG SHOWING IT DID NOT DEPLOY AND A PICTURE OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 17, 2018, crash
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
Air bags, Mar 10, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, IT COST ME 105.00 AT STAFFILINO CHEVROLET FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME 656.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SAW WHERE THE TAKATA RECALL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2019. THIS DOES NOT HELP NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL NOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND THIS LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE
Air bags, Feb 22, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY EQUINOX IS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT SHOULD BE. I FILED A COMPLAINT BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND STAFILINOS DIAGNOSED A SHORT. IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY WHEN I STARTED IT.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2018
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT COSTS 105.00 TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORT IN IT AND IT WILL COST ANOTHER 656.00+TAX THE LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE CAR.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2017
PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG MAP SENSOR WITH FOAM, WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 688.49 ON FEB 8 2017. SEAT BELT SENSOR KEPT GOING OFF.
Air bags, Mar 6, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2017
MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEATS. I HAVE RAN A CODE READER ON IT AND IT STATED THAT IT RELATES TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE COMPLAINT. IT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION OR AT REST. STARTED TO HAPPEN AROUND 85000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAVE 91000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT TWICE FROM BEHIND. THE CHEMICAL FROM THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS RELEASED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CHEMICAL WAS A FINE MIST OR LIGHT SMOKE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED THE FIRST TIME I WAS HIT. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE AIRBAG MIST OCCURRED (? WITH THE FIRST OR SECOND HIT) THEY HAPPENED WITHIN SECONDS OF EACH OTHER. A "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE IS GOING IN FOR REPAIRS AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH AND THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY.
Electrical system, Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2016
IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF STREET DRIVING, "SERVICE AIRBAG" WITH SCREWDRIVER ICON APPEARS AND DISSAPEARS. MECHANICS CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WIPERS STOPPED. MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS TRANSMISSION BROKEN. DASHBOARD LIGHTS RANDOMLY DIM AND BRIGHTEN.
Power train, Air bags, Oct 13, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 11, 2015
WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND A HERD OF DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT ONE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND MY SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND A FUNNY SMELL CAME OVER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T SHUT OFF MY 4WAYS TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THAT SINCE THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND I PURCHASED IT TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE THAT A FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IS RIDICULOUS AND I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRADE THIS CAR IN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH A TIGHT SEAT BELT AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS. THE MONEY I AM SPENDING TO BUY THIS CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS AS IT IS THEN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND IT NOT WORK THE WAY IT IS INTENDED TO I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED IN SOME WAY. *TR
Air bags, Dec 20, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN DAMAGES OVER $14,000 TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TWICE THIS WEEK AND HAVE NOT YET SPOKEN TO ANYONE IN THEIR PRODUCT ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT. *DT
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jul 28, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD WITH HEAVY WOODS ON EACH SIDE AND A DEER RAN OUT OF THE WOODS IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE DEER WITH THE FRONT OF MY EQUINOX. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG BUT DID NOT SEE WHERE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ONSTAR CAME ON AND ASKED IF I WAS OK, THAT THEY WERE ADVISED MY AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. THE IN DASH SENSOR IN MY CAR ALSO ALERTED THAT THE AIR BAG HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. MY STEERING WHEEL APPEARED NORMAL, BUT A SMALL GAP AROUND THE AIR BAG COVER. IT APPEARS THAT MY AIR BAG HAD ATTEMPTED TO DEPLOY BUT THE BAG ITSELF DID NOT INFLATE. THE DAMAGE WAS FILLED ON INSURANCE AND GM WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY AIR BAG DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO HAVE THE AIR BAG & SENSORS REPLACED. GM DID OPEN A CLAIM WITH MY COMPLAINT AND SAID THAT IT WOULD BE 20 TO 30 DAYS FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE. *JS
Air bags, Mar 31, 2014, crash
HIT A DEER WITH FRONT END OF VEHICLE CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $6,000 IN DAMAGES. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING CONCUSSION RECEIVED BY DRIVER. DRIVER IS STILL EXPERIENCING MEDICAL PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 26, 2014, crash
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN (GOING MAYBE 5 MPH) WHEN REAR ENDED BY A 1998 CHEVY LUMINA. HER HOOD AND FRONT WAS ALL DAMAGED AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED (OPENED)!! . I HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND EAR STARTED BLEEDING. ( IN A DAZE). MANY BRUISES AND HURT BACK AND NECK. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Mar 13, 2014, crash
I WAS HIT BY A CAR PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION. HIT PRETTY HARD SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR