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
751 reports, newest first.
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.
Engine, May 24, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A RANDOM BUCKING MOTION (AS IF YOU RAN SOMETHING OVER) SINCE I PURCHASED. THE GARAGE SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. IT HAS MANIFESTED TO A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTTING DOWN, OIL CONSUMPTION BEYOND (2.5 QTS) IN TWO WEEKS. ALL I AM TOLD IS THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE EQUINOX AND IT IS PROBABLY THE PISTONS, THE CAM SENSOR AND LIKELY $3-4,000 TO REPAIR. HOW IS IT, THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY TWICE TO OWN THEIR PRODUCT? SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, OIL LOW WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS... NOT A SAFETY ISSUE??? GM, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? NO INTEGRITY, THAT'S FOR SURE. FROM THE VOLUME OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS, WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL. GM CLEARLY MESSED UP ON THIS ONE. DONE VENTING AS THIS WON'T PAY FOR A NEW CAR. DON'T BUY AN EQUINOX!
Engine, May 21, 2019
ENGINE CUT OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION WOULD NOT START AGAIN HAD TOWED TO DEALER MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL AND IT NEEDED AN ENGINE SWAP
Engine, May 12, 2019
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE MOTOR STOPPED. CHECK ENGINE SHUT OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT CHECKED, INTAKE CAM ACCUTATOR SOLONID VALVE CURCIT FAILED. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMS BEFORE I COULD GET HOME.
Engine, May 6, 2019
ENGINE FAILURE NO OIL IN ENGINE REAR SEAL DEFECTIVE NO WARNING LIGHTS OF NO OIL IN ENGINE GM COVERING UP MULTIPLE ENGINE OIL FAILURES THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT DOESNT GO FAR ENOUGH SHOULD EXTEND WARRANTIES AND ISSUE RECALLS MY WARRENTY EXPIRED 8-31-2018, ENGINE BLOW OUT APROX 12-24-2018, ALMOST 4 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD MY ENGINE BLOW OUT ENGINE IS DAMAGED WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES NO WARNING LIGHT I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES NEVER KNOWN A VEHICLE TO BURN OFF ALL THE OIL , AS WELL AS THE REAR SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICHILE ENGINE OIL PRESURE DROP JUST GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY LUCKY MY ENGINE DIDNT BLOW OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. NO EGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON THE OIL FILTER WAS CRUSHED. THESE ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANDERIOUS NO WARNING PRIOR TO CASTERAPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DO TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT ALMOST 4 MONTHS AFTER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE IN MOTION JUST PULLED OFF OF HIGHWAY ,TO OFF RAMP GOING ONTO CITY STREET MAIN ENGINE SEAL FOUND DEFECTIVE BY MECHANIC I HAVE THE PART AND PROOF.
Engine, May 2, 2019
85K MILES AND USING 3 QUARTS OF OIL WITHIN 2000 MILES. VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR ISSUES WITH 2011 AND 2012 WHERE SERVICE BULLETINS AND EXTENDED COVERAGE HAVE BEEN ADDED. DRIVING VEHICHLE AND THE ENGINE STALLS. HAD TO STOP AND RESTART. GARAGE DETERMINED IT WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL SINCE MY OIL CHANGE 2,000 MILES AGO
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 29, 2019
VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY NO SYSTEM WARNING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE STEEL SHAVINGS WERE GOING INTO HEAD GASKET FROM OVER OIL COMSUPTION.
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX IN SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN TWO MILES, THE CAR STALLED. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAUSE WAS A DEFECTIVE PCV SYSTEM THAT GM HAS DOCUMENTED IN SERVICE BULLETIN 14882 DATED MARCH 2015. DURING COLD WEATHER OPERATION, CONDENSATION FREEZES AND PLUGS THE PCV (POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION) SYSTEM. THIS CONDITION CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE INCREASE IN THE CRANKCASE PRESSURE AND BLOWS OUT THE REAR SEAL. ONCE THE REAR SEAL IS LOST, OIL IMMEDIATELY PURGES OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS KNOWN DESIGN FLAW CAUSED $8,500 IN DAMAGES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, SEALS ON THE INJECTOR RAIL, SPARK PLUGS, FLEX PLATE, BALANCER, THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND TUBE ASSEMBLY. THIS 5.5 YEAR OLD CAR ONLY HAD 54,500 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. IT ALSO LEFT THE DRIVER STRANDED IN SUBZERO WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES.
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS VERY HIGH (APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART PER WEEK). THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HENNESSY GMC/CHEVROLET (7261 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,522.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 23, 2019
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX, 2.4L WITH A HUGE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND THE VEHICLE STALL INTERMITTENTLY IF I'M SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, AND I OFTEN HAVE CHALLENGES STARTING IT BACK UP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND BEING A SINGLE FATHER OF TWO, I DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR REPAIRS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2019
DRIVERS SIDE WIPER INOPERABLE WHILE PASSENGER SIDE WORKS NORMAL. STATIONARY AND IN MOTION
Engine, Apr 21, 2019
BURNS EXCESSIVE OIL WHICH CAUSES CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO CLOG AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO CRACK AND FUMES DEVELOP IN CABIN
Engine, Apr 15, 2019
VEHICLE IS USING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE NOW DIES OR STALLS AND IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE NOTED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND A PRIOR RECALL FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PUBLISHED BUT VEHICLE OWNERS WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THE WELL KNOWN ISSUE. I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS WORTHLESS AFTER BUYING IT NEW IN 2013.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Engine, Apr 10, 2019
IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE CAR THE CABIN IS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES WHILE IN PARK. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED AS IN MANY OTHER 2010-2016 CHEVY EQUINOX. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE ON THESE VEHICLES, AS CARBON MONOXIDE IS BEING PUMPED INTO THE CABIN.
Engine, Apr 7, 2019
2013 2LT EQUINOX 2.4L FWD 67000 MILES ISSUES: OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES, USES 2 QTS + BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, STARTED AT 50K MILES, QUOTED OVER $2000 TO REPLACE PISTONS, RINGS, AND TIMING CHAIN (KNOWN ISSUE ON 2.4L ECO-TEC MOTORS, OIL AND FILTER ALWAYS CHANGED ON OR BEFORE TIME DUE WITH DEXOS 1 VALVOLINE OIL AND AC DELCO FILTER). POSSIBILITY OF BREAKDOWN, ENGINE FAILURE. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE: $800 FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD STARTING AT 55K MILES, CRACKED, LEAKING FUMES INTO PASSENGER AREA, QUOTED $600 TO REPLACE PLUS RECOMMEND REPLACING ENGINE MOUNTS TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE: $1000 (KNOWN ISSUE ON 2.4L ECO-TEC MOTORS). FREQUENT HEADACHES ALL WINTER FROM BREATHING IN EXHAUST. FAULTY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING STARTING AT 50K MILES, CLUNKY SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS, QUOTED OVER $600 FOR FLUSH, INSPECTION, SENSORS AND SEAL REPLACEMENT. FAULTY FRONT AXLE SEAL REPAIRED AT 55K MILES FOR $300. GETTING NO WHERE NEAR THE ADVERTISED AND PROMISED 32MPG (AVERAGE OF 22 MPG ON HWY TRIPS WITH ECO MODE ON, 14 MPG IN TOWN). LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON LEMON!!!!!!!!!
Engine, Apr 3, 2019
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX THAT HAS 58000 MILES NOW WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LOW ON OIL. THEY WANTED TO PREFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND GM IS COVERING THE REPAIRS IF IT FAILS THE TEST. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE 1500 MILES AS REQUESTED AND WHEN WE TOOK IT BACK IT DID IN FACT FAIL THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AS IT BURNED MORE THAN A QUART OF OIL IN THE 1500 MILES. WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE HAS WORN PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS. A 6 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAD 56000 ON IT PRIOR TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST HAS WORN PISTONS AND WORN RINGS? WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT GM WOULD PUT A NEW ENGINE IN IT. A LITTLE WHILE LATER WE WERE CALLED BACK AND TOLD OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH A SENIOR ADVISOR AT CHEVROLET WHO STATED TO US THAT THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND WOULD NOT LAST FOREVER. WE THEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THAT PERSON'S SUPERVISOR WHO TOLD US THAT GM CANNOT PUT VEHICLE VIN NUMBERS IN FOR RECALLS AND THAT THEY WORK WITH THE NHTSA TO DO THAT. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS TRUE OF IF GM IS TRYING TO PULL ONE OVER ON ME. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THAT PERSONS SUPERVISOR AND WAS FLAT OUT TOLD NO. I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHER CHEVROLET EQUINOX'S WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AND GM ALSO REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM EITHER. SINCE I WAS TOLD THE NHTSA WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS I HAVE NOW NOTIFIED YOU. I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT FAILED GM'S OWN TEST TO DETERMINE IF A VEHICLE HAS A OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. ONCE IT FAILED THEY SAID THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND DROPPED IT IN NTHSA'S LAP SAYING YOU PUTS VIN NUMBERS IN FOR RECALLS. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
Engine, Apr 1, 2019
VEHICLE HAS RATTLING NOISE WHEN ACCELORATING. CREATING THE CAR TO ACCELORATE SLOWLY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2019
AT RANDOM THE CAR WILL IDLE ROUGH DROP RPMS SMELL LIKE IT IS LOADING UP ON FUEL AND DIE THE CAR ALWAYS RESTARTS.
Air bags, Mar 30, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AND HAS NEVER WENT OFF.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 30, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FOR THE REAR WINDOW. NEVERTHELESS, THE ENGINE STARTED STALLING AND WHEN I HAD DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THEIR WERE METAL SHAVINGS GOING INTO MY OIL FROM A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HICCUP ON THE STREET AND STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY HOME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JOSEPH CHEVEROLET IN CINCINNATI WERE SERVICE MEMBER TOLD I MUST BE MISTAKEN AND THAT GM HAD NO RECALLS. I EXPLAINED HE MUST BE MISTAKEN AND THEY COULD KEEP THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT.
Engine, Mar 20, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. DRIVING CAR TO WORK, STARTED MAKING A CLINKING SOUND ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD I ARRIVED AT WORK. PARKED THE CAR AND OIL STARTED POURING OUT OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL. GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME. CALLED GM THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED OVER 7 THIS YEAR.
Engine, Mar 20, 2019
EXTREME COLD TEMPS (-20BELOW), WHILE DRIVING HEARD POPPING SOUND, 2 MILES LATER, CAR STARTED TO RUN ROUGH WENT BACK HOME, OIL WAS DRAINING OUT. CAR WAS PARKED, PUT MORE OIL IN, DRAINED RIGHT OUT. MECHANIC STATED THE CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL GASKET HAD BLOWN. THIS IS REFERENCED IN GM SB14882. MY VIN WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH WHAT HAPPENED WAS EXACTLY AS STATED IN THE SB. SB WAS UPDATED ON FEB 4, 2019 (#19-NA-021) , AGAIN I WAS STILL NOT COVERED. I HAD HEARD OVER 200 MICHIGAN EQUINOX CUSTOMERS WERE IN SERVICE DUE TO SAME ISSUE AND THE COLD TEMPERATURES WE WERE EXPERIENCING IN MICHIGAN. THE AMOUNT OF OIL I HAVE TO PUT IN, 2 QRTS EVERY 2 WEEKS IS ALSO A CONCERN.
Engine, Mar 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE OIL CONSUMPTION LEVELS WOULD LOWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD OIL IN THE VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE OIL LEVELS STAYING THE SAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL HOOD CHEVROLET (69020 HWY 190 SERVICE RD, COVINGTON, LA 70433, (985)-590-4102) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS ABNORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION LEVELS AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2019
IN MOTION DRIVING TO WORK ENTERING ONTO TWO LANE HIGHWAY DECELERATED AND NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED LIMIT. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON CAR STARTED SOUNDING LOUDER. PULL OFF AND SHUT THE CAR OFF GOT OUT AND SAW OIL RUNNING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.