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: electrical system
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Dec 28, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX NEW. WITHIN MONTHS THE RADIO TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE DISPLAY SCREEN WENT BLACK, AND THEN CAME BACK ON TO THE CHEVY LINK DISPLAY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHETHER OR NOT THE RADIO WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE REPLACED THE CENTER STACK; NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE. AS A NOTE, I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER DRIVERS WITH THIS ISSUE REPORTED THE CAR TURNING ITSELF OFF WHEN THE SCREEN WENT BLACK. I HAVE ALSO PAID $150 FOR 'SOFTWARE UPDATES' WHEN THE CAR SEEMED TO 'LOSE ITS SETTINGS' AFTER IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SIX YEARS LATER THE ISSUE PERSISTS, INCLUDING LOSS OF BLUETOOTH CAPABILITY FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND THE CLOCK ALWAYS RUNS 2 MINUTES SLOW. I CAN RESET THE TIME, BUT EACH TIME THE CAR IS RESTARTED, THE TIME IS INCORRECT. THE CAR HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF 'BLINKER SOUND' WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON. THE SIGNAL WORKS, THE LIGHT IS WORKING ON THE DASH, BUT THERE IS NO SOUND.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTOFF WITH NO WARNING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BLOCKING TRAFFIC LIGHTS DID NOT DIM OR ANYTHING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ENGINE . TIMING. WAS THE ISSUE DUE TO BURNING SO MUCH OIL.
Electrical system, Wheels, Engine, Aug 12, 2019
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 1, 2019, crash
POWER STEERING FAILED; LOST POWER TO CONTROL PANEL; IN TRYING TO STEER VEHICLE AROUND A CURB I HIT A TREE AND CAR ROLLED TO SIDE. ALL AIRBAGS INFLATED.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2018
CAR WOULD NOT START. CHARGED BATTERY UP CAR STARTED. INSIDE CONTROLS WOULD NOT WORK. SOMMERS DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $800.00 TO PUT A BRAND NEW BLOWER MOTOR IN. BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND NOW SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 20, 2018
I PURCHED A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX BRAND NEW. TWO YEARS AFTER HAVING IT THE CENTER CONSOLE FOR MY RADIO AND HEAT/AIR CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MODULE SWITCH. THEN IN APRIL 2017 IT DID IT AGAIN! TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE AIR HVAC. THEN AUGUST 2018 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I AM TOLD IT IS THE RADIO HVAC AND THAT NOW IT IS NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY $650 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND JUST KEEP GETTING TOLD SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERYTIME. THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD A DIFFERENT PROBLEM BY THE CHEVY DEALER WITH THE EXPENSE GOING UP EACH TIME.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 18, 2018
THIS IS A COMPLAINT THATS COMMON IN EQUINOX 2.4L THE OIL COMSUMPTION AND ITS STALLING WHEN IDLING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2018
THE INFOTAINMENT RADIO SYSTEM FAILED. THIS CONTROLS NOT ONLY THE RADIO BUT THE BACKUP CAMERA AND THE HANDS FREE CALLING. BEEN GOOGLING AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING RESOLVED. I CALLED GM AND THEY PUT ME WITH GM INFOTAINMENT TEAM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AT THIS TIME. NOTHING IS BEING DONE AND THE REPAIRS ARE $1200.00
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2018
TICKING NOISE (SOMETIMES LOUD) IN THE CENTER AND LEFT OF VEHICLE DASHBOARD WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY (NO KEY IN IGNITION). PROBLEM STARTED AROUND OCTOBER 2017 AND NOW OCCURS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE A VIDEO RECORDING OF SOUND.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 28, 2017
THE CAR DIDN'T START AFTER PARKING FOR FOOD PICKUP, WE NOTICED THAT AFTER GETTING A BOOST, THE 'ENGINE LIGHT' WAS LIT, IT STAYED ON. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AGAIN, BUT WE USED OUR INSURANCE ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE, AGAIN THE 'ENGINE LIGHT' REMAINED LIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEREAS WE PURCHASED A BATTERY CHARGER. DURING DRIVE/ WAITING AT MULTIPLE RED LIGHTS, AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, THE CAR STALLS- TO THE POINT WE PUT IT 'N', AFTER EXPERIENCING STALLS WHEN PLACED IN 'P'. THE OIL CAN BE LOW, BUT NO INDICATOR ON THE PANEL, BUT THE PANEL READS CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SO WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND INFORMED IT WAS THE BATTERY, SEEKING ANOTHER OPINION, WE WERE TOLD IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, BUT ANOTHER PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPON TRYING TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED, WE WERE TURNED DOWN DUE TO THE 'ENGINE LIGHT'. WE WENT TO A REPUTABLE CAR PART DEALER, AND INFORMED IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, TIMING SENSOR, ALONG WITH (2) TWO OTHER CODES. THE BATTERY IS HID UNDER A HOUSING/ COVER, WHICH MADE IT HARD TO GET A BOOST, WHEN THE RECOMMENDED CHARGING PROCEDURE DIDN'T WORK. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING, AND RESEARCH LEADS US TO UNDERSTAND, THAT A COSTLY REPAIR IS AHEAD. PLUS, OUR RESEARCH OF THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS, SHOWS THAT THEY OCCURRED IN EARLIER MODELS. THE (2013)VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A NATIONAL CAR RENTAL AGENCY, NOV 2015, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AT PURCHASE TIME, WITH UNRESOLVED ISSUES AS EARLIER MODELS? ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR HAS VEERED/ JERKED TO EITHER SIDE, FROM STOP TO GO, AND WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT US TURNING THE WHEEL. THANK THE LORD THE LATTER, OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DRY PAVEMENT. THE 'WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN' DATE IS THE LATEST DATE, NOT THE ONLY DATE.
Electrical system, Tires, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE OR OBJECT IN THE PATH OF THE SENSOR. THE COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT TIRE INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCHUGH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (3420 MAPLE AVE, ZANESVILLE, OH), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED (BOUCHER CHEVROLET, 1421 E MORELAND BLVD, WAUKESHA, WI 53186, (262) 347-4107), BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS CHECKING TO DETERMINE WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AL CERA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED IN THE PSCM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE CASE WOULD BE FORWARDED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2017
WINDSHIELD WIPERS POPS OFF AND STOPS WORKING. ENGINE RUNS WHILE KEY IS NOT INSERTED
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2017
MY DEFROST SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND MY WINDOWS WERE SO DENSE WITH FROST I COULD NOT SEE. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT FOR A LOT OF COMPLAINTS I SEE ON LINE.THE DEROST SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR 2-3 WEEKS NOW
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2016
WHEN I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE TODAY, NONE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM BUTTONS WERE OPERATIONAL. NOT ABLE TO TURN ON DEFROSTER, REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER OR ADJUST CLIMATE CONTROLS. LIVE IN MINNESOTA SO CLIMATE CONTROL IS VERY IMPORTANT DURING THE WINTER.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2016
AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX'S ENGINE STARTED STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP OR WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE/REVERSE. THINKING IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE GAS, THE GAS WAS RAN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NEW GAS WAS PUT IT; THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. CAR IS ABLE TO IDLE WITHOUT STALLING IF IN PARK OR NEUTRAL.
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2016
I HAVE EXPERIENCED YEARS LONG RADIO UNIT COMPLICATIONS WITH MY CHEVY EQUINOX (2013) SINCE PURCHASED BRAND-NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013. I HAVE PATIENTLY DONE EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO (BROUGHT IT IN-AND-OUT FOR SERVICE/REPAIRS, REPORTED IT TO GM, TALKED WITH SERVICE MANAGERS, HAD A TECHNICIAN BROUGHT IN, YOU NAME IT...). THE RADIO UNIT/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING, SO TO SAY. THE RADIO SCREEN WILL BLACK OUT WHILE DRIVING, THE SCREEN WILL GO FUZZY LIKE AN OLD TUBE-TV, THE VOLUME WILL NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED UP OR DOWN FROM STEERING WHEEL OR RADIO UNIT, THE BACK-UP CAMERA SCREEN CUTS OUT WHILE BACKING UP OR STAYS IN BACKUP MOVE WHILE DRIVING FORWARD, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THE INTERRUPTIONS ARE DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING, TO SAY THE LEAST. HERE I AM ALMOST THREE YEARS INTO IT (THE PROBLEMS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE) TWO DRAINED BATTERIES, TONS OF SERVICE VISITS, A NEW RADIO UNIT, AND COUNTLESS HOURS WASTED WITH NOTHING TO SHOW BUT CONTINUED INTERRUPTION IN THE FUNCTION OF MY CAR RADIO UNIT. I EVEN BEGAN CATCHING THE INTERRUPTIONS ON VIDEO ON MY PHONE AND PROVIDING THEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEY HAVE AMPLE EVIDENCE OF THE PROBLEMS REPORTED (ALTHOUGH THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT SO THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE).
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jul 17, 2016, fire
FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED NEAR THE FUSE BOX. FIRE BURNED THROUGH FIREWALL AND CONTINUED UP THE CEILING CONSOLE. THIS CAR IS USUALLY PARKED IN MY GARAGE, WITH MY BEDROOM RIGHT ABOVE. FIRE STARTED AROUND 12:30AM.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 29, 2016
2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WHEN THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEK, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE SHIFTING CONSOLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THE KEY WAS ROTATED TO THE START POSITION, NOTHING HAPPENED. *JB
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2016
THE RADIO FAILED IN OCT 2015. NO DISPLAY OR CONTROLS. REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A NEW RADIO. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS. THEY INSTALLED THE NEW RADIO IN JAN 2016. ON 2/21/16, RADIO FAILED AGAIN. NO CONTROLS AND BLANK SCREEN. AM STATIONS APPEARED BUT IT STUCK ON AN FM STATION. I ONLY STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HADN'T MOVED YET. I DIDN'T RECEIVE A WORK ORDER FOR THE REPAIR, BUT DID ON THE INITIAL COMPLAINT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2015
I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE MIDDLE CONSOLE THAT CONTROLS THE HVAC, RADIO, CAMERA, ECT. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED ONCE. NOW, I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP, GIVE THE CAR BACK, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO IF YOU CAN'T REPLICATE IT. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN I AM STARTING THE CAR, BUT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE DRIVING. THE CALL CAME BACK WHEN THE SYSTEM REBOOTED. THESE ISSUES BEGAN AROUND THE 18K MILES AND I AM AT 31K MILES NOW. IT HAPPENS NO LESS THAN TWICE BEFORE I TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP ANOTHER TIME BECAUSE I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WAS AT 3000RPMS. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT THE 31K MILES AND ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. AGAIN, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT, SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE MODULE THAT OPERATED THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,239.