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.
Engine, Dec 18, 2018
DECEMBER 18, 2018 I PURCHASED A 2013 EQUINOX FOLLOWING LEASING THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR. OVER THE YEARS IT HAS CONSUMED OIL MORE THAN EXPECTED; HOWEVER, IT NOW BURNS APPROXIMATELY 3 QTS OF OIL EVERY 2K MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED MULTIPLE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN 'OIL CONSUMPTION TEST' WHICH I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. ANY REPAIRS REQUIRED FOLLOWING THE TEST WOULD ALSO BE AT MY EXPENSE. AFTER READING ALL OF THE REVIEWS AND COMMENTS I NOW BELIEVE CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I DO NOT PLAN PURCHASING A CHEVY OR GMC VEHICLE AGAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2018
THE HEAT/AC WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING THEREFORE WHEN YOU NEED TO DEFROST WINDOWS NOTHING WILL BLOW AT TIMES.
Power train, Engine, Dec 13, 2018
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. RPMS SPIKE WHEN IDELING AND VEHICLE PHYSICALLY JUMPS FORWARD. VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN COMING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION.
Visibility, Dec 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND FAILED TO PRODUCE WARM AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WOULD BLOW ONTO HIS FEET NO MATTER THE SETTING. THE CONTACT CALLED KINGMAN ARIZONA CHEVROLET (3730 STOCKTON HILL RD, KINGMAN, AZ 86409, (928) 377-4150) AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY AUTO SALES (5800 S ZARZAMORA ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78211, (210) 927-4300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR, INTAKE AIR HUMIDITY SENSOR, SENSOR REFERENCE VOLTAGE A, INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW P11C2 , MASK OR VOLUME AIR FLOW A, INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR TWO CIRCUIT LOW P0097, 90113 INTAKE AIR ONE CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT, AND P11C2 INTAKE AIR HUMIDITY SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW VOLTAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,986.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2018
ONE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY WITH NO WARNING. THE OTHER WIPER IS WORKING CORRECTLY. IT STARTED DOING IT AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 18, 2018
HVAC BUTTONS BECAME INOP. THEREFORE, NO DEFROST. VERY DANGEROUS. NO HEAT. NO A/C. NO REAR DEFROST. BACKLIGHT BUTTONS YES ARE ILLUMINATED. I REPLACED TWO FUSES, NO CHANGE. I REPLACED THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER, NO CHANGE. NO DEFROST IS VERY DANGEROUS ON MY 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX LT 4 CYL 2.4L. THE BATTERY IS 10 MONTHS OLD. I DISCONNECTED THE ENTIRE BATTERY FOR 15 MINUTES. NO LUCK. YES THE ENTIRE RADIO WORKS FINE. AUDIO IS GOOD. HOWEVER, THE POPUP ON THE RADIO SCREEN WHICH REFLECTS THE FAN SPEED MOTOR CHANGES IS NOT SHOWING UP WHEN I ADJUST THE FAN SPEED.
Engine, Nov 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD OIL AFTER EVERY 500 MILES. THE DEALER (WALKER CHEVROLET, 3940 CAROTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN 37067) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 15, 2018
JUST AS EVERYONE ELSE HAS STATED, MY 2013 EQUINOX IS BURNING OIL AND STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS OR A STOP. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TOWARDS THE END OF MY 5 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THEY KEPT "FIXING THINGS". THE MOST RECENT FIX WAS ONE MONTH AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDED, AND THE REPAIRS WERE CLOSE TO $4,000. THIS REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING PISTONS/RINGS AND REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN. THE VERY NEXT DAY FOLLOWING THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I DROVE IT TO WORK AND IT STALLED 14 TIMES, DUE TO SLOWING/STOPPING OF RUSH-HOUR. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ASSUMED I WAS "MOVING WITH THE FLOW" AND THEY DON'T STOP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP... THEY HAVE MY CAR NOW AND SAID THEY WILL LOOK AT IT AND "TRY SOMETHING ELSE". OVER SEVERAL FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS, THEY DID THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, RESET THE TIMING CHAIN, AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS (IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 5-YR EXTENDED WARRANTY THEN). I ASKED WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL?, AND THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE NONE OF THIS WAS SAFETY-RELATED. HOW IS THIS NOT SAFETY ISSUE?! AS I MENTIONED, THEY CURRENTLY HAVE MY VEHICLE, AND I FEAR WHAT THE REPAIRS WILL BE FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT AS SOLVING THE PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING THEIR BEST, BUT PERHAPS THEIR HANDS ARE TIED. IF THE NHTSA DETERMINES THIS NOT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN IT CERTAINLY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FRAUD ON BEHALF OF CHEVY CORPORATION.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX I HAVE ALREADY CHANGED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. A YEAR LATER MY CAR STARTED TO CUT OFF WHILE IDLE AT STOP LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND WAS TOLD FROM THE TEST IT WAS MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR. WHILE CHANGING IT I NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE SENSOR AREA. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IS NOT GOOD. FROM THIS WE DISCOVERED THE SENSOR IS NOT THE ISSUE. I STARTED TO DO RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY USER FROM 2011 TO 2013 WHO ARE ALL HAVING THIS ISSUE WORD FOR WORD. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T37952_DS622117
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 13, 2018
ON OCT. 23, 2018, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MORNING. CALLED ONSTAR IN AFTERNOON FOR CODE;ONSTAR DID NOT PROVIDE CODE BUT SAID IT SHOULD BE SERVICED ASAP AND MADE APPOINTMENT AT NEARBY DEALERSHIP FOR NEXT MORNING. THAT EVENING WHEN BRAKING TO LEAVE A PARKING AREA, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED/STALLED OUT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID SENSOR.
Engine, Nov 5, 2018
OIL INDICATOR AND SCREEN FLASHED MESSAGE TO SOP CAR IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND FORCED TO TRY TO GET TO THE BERM. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK TO THE STORE FROM THE FREEWAY TO PURCHASE OIL. A NEW OIL CHANGE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED 2000 MILES BEFORE SO THE CAR WASN'T DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE YET. THIS CAR HAS THE ECOTEC 2.4 LITER ENGINE AND IS CONSUMING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT CONSUMED 3.5 QUARTS WITHIN 2000 MILES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY OR ELSEWHERE.
Engine, Oct 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED EVERY WEEK THE OIL GOT LOW IN HER VEHICLE, BUT SHE DID NOT SEE THE OIL ON THE ENGINE OR THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SALES INC. (3100 PLEASANT VALLEY BLVD, ALTOONA, PA 16602, 814-942-9000) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Oct 28, 2018
I WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE DURING A VISIT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THIS YEAR. THEY SUGGESTED A REPAIR TO REPLACE THE PISTONS AND RINGS. ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR OS $3,970. CHEVROLET EQUINOX IS KNOW TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING AND THEY EVEN ANNOUNCED A 16118 ' EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION NOTICE IN 2017. I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM HAS CARRIED OVER TO THE 2013 MODEL AND WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESEARCHED. THANKS.
Engine, Oct 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE LOW NO MATTER HOW MUCH OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Engine, Oct 24, 2018
GOT OIL CHANGE AT CHEVY IN MARCH 2018, STOPPED DRIVING APRIL 4 BECAUSE OF MATERNITY LEAVE. STARTED DRIVING IN LATE MAY AND MY CAR STARTS DYING RANDOMLY WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. THEN CHECK ENGINE GOES ON. I CALL CHEVY AND MY WARRANTY WAS UP IN LATE APRIL. I PLEED STATING I WAS ON MATERNITY AND DOCTOR ORDER TO NOT DRIVE. THEY WOULD NOT BUSGE. SO MY HUSBAND WHO IS A MECHANIC CHECKS CHANGES THE OIL, IT'S BONE DRY, AS IF THEY HAD NEVER CHANGED IT. KEEP IN MIND I HAD TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND BARELY DROVE THE CAR SINCE. SO HE FLUSHED THE ENGINE WITH OIL A FEW TIMES TO REALLY CLEAN IT OUT, CHANGES THE FILTER, AND THEN FILLS HER UP. THE CODES AND ALL DATA AND REPLACES THE INTAKE AND EHAUST SOLENOIDS...STILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR DIES AT IDLE. WE SUSPECT OIL EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION BROKE THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, BUT WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL HE CAN TAKE APART THE ENGINE. UNTIL THEN I AM CHECKING OIL WEEKLY AND FILLING OIL ABOUT EVERY 3 WEEKS. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION IS ABSURD. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH YOURLEMONLAWRIGHTS.COM
Engine, Oct 23, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DETECTED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. 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 APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
Engine, Oct 17, 2018
MY VEHIVLE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION TODAY AND I HIT THE GAS BECAUSE MY LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD CARS BEHIND ME. THE LIGHT IS TURNING RED, SO I HAVE THE OPPOSITE LANES TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO GO, AND THERE I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. LUCKILYI WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND GET OUT OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFICS WAY. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON YESTERDAY. I HAD IT CHECKED AND CODES P0010 AND P0011 CAME UP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I CAME ACROSS OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE! HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? ESOECIALLY WHEN IT PUTS THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGERS IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE MY KIDS AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND WE WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE AFRAID OF COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME TODAY.
Engine, Oct 12, 2018
HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CHEVY'S TIMING BELT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR GM AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. THEY KEEP BLAMING IT ON OIL CONSUMPTION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2018
I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A FEW RACALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND NEED TO KNOW HOW I CAN FIX THE RECALL S WITHOUT OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES
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.
Engine, Sep 26, 2018
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE AS ADVISED. VEHICLE HAS USED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND OUT WHERE IT IS GOING. LISTED PROBLEM DATE AS TODAY BUT THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING..... HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED ON 3 OCCASIONS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHY ON THAT EITHER? SEEMS WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN THE WORKS!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4660303111; HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,988.
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.
Engine, Sep 6, 2018
VEHICLE TIMING CHAIN BROKE 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD 57,000 MILES ON THE CAR. CHEVROLET REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR PAY FOR ANY REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE (INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING) COMPLETELY STALLED OUT WHILE I WAS TURNING OFF A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. I WAS STRANDED IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO GET A COUPLE OF GOOD SAMARITANS TO ASSIST WITH PHYSICALLY PUSHING IT OFF THE ROAD.