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: visibility/wiper
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED LINKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN A HARD RAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY WIPERS STUCK TO THE LEFT. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SEEING WHERE TO GO. I WAS NEXT TO A SEMI TRUCK AND WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK. I EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF ON THE BERM. WHEN THE RAIN LET UP I WENT TO THE DEALERS AND HAD THE WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY REPAIRED FOR ABOUT $300.00. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION, AND I CAN SEE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AS WELL. IT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 2010 EQUINOX WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2012. MY MILEAGE WAS 51861. I AM AFRAID SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SEVERELY HURT , OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 8, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON I-495 IN MA ON A RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WHEN MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED TO MY LEFT ON THE WINDSHIELD. I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO MOVE THE WIPERS TO NO AVAIL. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND MOVED THE WIPERS INTO THE DOWN POSITION. WHEN I RE-ENTERED MY VEHICLE, I TURNED ON THE ENGINE AND THEN TURNED ON THE WIPERS. NO GOOD. IN BETWEEN RAIN STORMS I DROVE TO A REST STOP ON I-90 (MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE) IN MA WHERE I REMAINED FOR 2 HOURS DURING HEAVY DOWNPOURS. I CALLED AAA BUT THEY REFERRED ME TO STATE TROOPERS SINCE AAA IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE TURNPIKE. INSTEAD OF BOTHERING THE TROOPERS, I DROVE AS FAR AS I COULD IN BETWEEN RAIN STORMS WHICH GOT ME TO CT, WHERE I STAYED OVERNIGHT AT A HOTEL. MY HOME IS IN ANOTHER STATE. WHEN I FINALLY GOT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY HAD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE WIPER TRANSMISSION CONKED OUT. IT WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER, I WONDER WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO BULLETINS OR RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. DURING INTERNET SEARCHES INCLUDING ON THIS WEBSITE, I FOUND MULTIPLE INCIDENCES OF THIS TYPE. SAFETY IS AT STAKE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY BY THE VEHICLE MAKER/WIPER TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER. I AM BLESSED TO BE SAFE BUT SOMEDAY SOMEONE WON'T BE... PLEASE ADDRESS THE SITUATION BEFORE SOMEDAY ARRIVES. THANK YOU. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2016
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 80. DOWNPOUR STARTED - WIPERS WERE ON AND SUDDENLY STOPPED IN UP POSITION. BACK WIPERS WERE FINE. TRIED TO TURN OFF, TURN UP SPEED AND TURN DOWN SPEED - NO LUCK. BLINDING RAIN SURROUNDED BY TRACTOR TRAILERS IS NOT THE PLACE I WANT TO EVER BE AGAIN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE WIPER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN - I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE BEFORE!
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2016
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FL TURNPIKE AT MIDNIGHT IN A TORRENTIAL DOWN POUR. THE WIPERS WERE ON & THEN THEY JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD! VERY SCARY NEARLY DROVE OFF THE OVERPASS. WHEN YOU TURN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OFF AND ON YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING BUT THE WIPERS JUST FALL FLAT. TURNS OUT IT'S A PLASTIC PIECE IN THE LINKAGE THAT FAILS. DEALERSHIP WANTS $350 TO REPAIR. WHEN I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE YEAR AND A HALF AGO 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX GM CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2016
I HAVE A NEWLY PURCHASED 2013 EQUINOX WHICH MY WIFE DRIVES AND THE WIPERS BROKE ON IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE NJ PARKWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAINSTORM AND WAS LUCKY SHE DID NOT GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH OUR DAUGHTER. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON MANY OTHER EQUINOX'S AROUND THE SAME AGE WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. I SEE THIS AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEING IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WIFE PUT HER WIPERS ON HIGH SINCE IT WAS RAINING SO HARD AND SCARED TO DEATH WHEN IT HAPPENED.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE OWNER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WIPER TRANSMISSION THAT CONNECTED TO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 25, 2016
I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR MONDAY MORNING MARCH 21,2016. I TURNED ON THE WIPERS TO BECAUSE MY WINDOWS WAS FOGGY..AS I WAITED FOR THE WINDOWS TO CLEAR ..I NOTICED THAT MY WIPERS WOULD NOT COME ON. I TRYED ALL SETTING FROM LOW-HIGH AND EVEN MIST SETTING. THEY STILL WOULD NOT WORK. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE LIKE THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING IN WIPER BLADE.I THEN TRIED THE WIPERS AGAIN AND THEY WOULDN'T MOVE...I GOT A ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT MY CAR FROM...THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $202 TO FIX.. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE WIPER TRANSMISSION LINKAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.THIS WIPER ISSUE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL..IS A SAFETY HAZARD...I'M GLAD I WAS AT HOME AND MY CAR WAS SITTING STILL AND IT WASN'T RAINING..BUT IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING THAT WOULD HAVE A BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD..A RECALL DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE CALLED IMMEDIATELY..
Visibility/wiper, Jan 31, 2016
CENTER CONSOL (DEFOGGER, BLOWER, RADIO, A/C AND ACCOMPANYING LIGHTING) WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON STREET. NO BLOWN FUSES.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2016
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON US HIGHWAY ROUTE 11 LAST EVENING, JAN. 8, 2016, THE FRONT WIPERS ON MY EQUINOX SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR SOUNDS TO BE FUNCTIONING BUT THE WIPERS WILL NOT MOVE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING IT WAS RAINING AND DARK.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAITED UNTIL IT STOPPED RAINING TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER LINKAGE BUSHING ASSORTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2015
DRIVING IN LEFT LANE ON I75 AT 70 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. STARTED TO RAIN AND WITHIN SECONDS TURNED TO A DOWNPOUR. I SWITCHED MY WIPERS FROM REGULAR TO HIGH SPEED, THEY MADE 2 OR 3 STROKES AND THEN QUIT. I COULDN'T SEE A THING. MOST SCARED I'VE EVER BEEN IN A VEHICLE. LUCKILY, NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED SUDDENLY, SO I FLIPPED ON MY FLASHERS AND GRADUALLY SLOWED AND EDGED ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER. TURNS OUT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION HAS SEVERAL PLASTIC BALL/SOCKET PIECES, AND ONE FAILED, SEPARATING THE MOTOR FROM THE LINKAGE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE MULTICAR WRECK. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND AM AN ASE MASTER TECH. I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT CARS. IN A SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEM LIKE WIPERS, WHY, OTHER THAN A SMALL COST, WHY COULDN'T THE LINKAGE BE DESIGNED NOT TO SEPARATE WHEN THE BALL/SOCKET FAILS? A SECONDARY CONNECTION OR IMPROVED DESIGN THAT WOULD ALLOW THE WIPERS TO OPERATE, EVEN POORLY, UNTIL A VEHICLE CAN GET OFF THE ROAD. I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED (ALONG WITH OTHERS) BY THE FAILURE OF A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT IS NEVER INSPECTED WHEN AN AUTO IS SERVICED.
Visibility/wiper, May 19, 2015
IT WAS RAINING AT ABOUT 3:00 PM AND THE WIPERS WERE WORKING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY STOPPED AND I CAN'T SEE AND ALMOST RUN INTO THE OTHER CARS BECAUSE THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW AND MY DAUGHTER IS AFRAID OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2014
THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A BACK UP CAMERA TO MAKE UP FOR THE BAD BLIND SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DOUBLE VISION MIRRORS ON SIDE MIRRORS DO NOT HELP WHEN BACKING UP. EVEN IF YOU LOOK ALL THE WAY OUT THE REAR WINDOW, YOUR VISION IS BLOCKED BY THE REAR WINDOW WIPER. I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. I COMPLAINED TO THE SALES PERSON AND DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM WITH NO HELP. THEY SAID THAT CHEVY DOES NOT INSTALL CAMERAS TO VEHICLES AFTER IT IS LEASED SO I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT AT MY OWN EXPENSE. WHEN I INITIALLY COMPLAINED, THE SALES PERSON SAID I HAD TO GET USED TO DRIVING IT. AFTER A YEAR, I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET USA AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND NOT A PART SO THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I DID EXPLAIN THAT THE WHEN I BACK UP, I DO SO BLINDLY BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 18 MONTHS LEFT ON MY LEASE. FORTUNATELY, I WILL EVENTUALLY GET OUT OF THE LEASE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR UNLESS IT HAS A BACK UP CAMERA ALREADY INSTALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2014
THIS IS AN OLD CHEVROLET EQUINOX RECALL THAT IS FROM THE 2010 MODEL AND IS HAPPENING TO MY 2013 AS WELL. THE RADIO CONTROLS AND A/C-DEFROST CONTROL'S ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. "FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS AND WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" CHEVROLET IS TELLING ME THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN CHEVROLET. REFERENCE TO: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS/RECALLRESULTS.CFM?START=1&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&RCL_ID=09V489000. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 12, 2013
WHEN THE RADIO IS ON, EVEN AT MEDIUM VOLUME, THE REARVIEW MIRROR SHAKES AND IMAGES IN THE REARVIEW BECOME VERY BLURRED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2013
THE EXTREME SLOPE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENSIVE DASHBOARD SURFACE TOP, COMBINED WITH MY SLOPED DRIVEWAY PRODUCES A SEVERE GLARE THAT REDUCES VISIBILITY TO THE POINT WHERE I AM FORCED TO INCH INTO MY GARAGE. THE GREY DASHBOARD BECOMES THE DOMINATE VISIBLE ELEMENT, REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO A HEADS UP DISPLAY. DAYLIGHT IS THE MOST CRITICAL TIMEFRAME. ADDING A BLACK CARPET DASHBOARD COVER REDUCED BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD EXPECT TALLER DRIVERS WOULD HAVE AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM. DRIVING IN NORMAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THE TRANSITION INTO A LOW LEVEL LIGHTED AREA IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, TURNING THEM ON OR OFF DID NOT HELP. *TR