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.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2025
It failed inspection after repairs secondary air injection pump TCM PMC . Check engine light came back on after it passed .
Engine, Feb 11, 2025
Either there's a hose issue or the exhaust system is faulty. The car severely dropped speed while on a freeway and the dash indicated that the engine power was reduced. I was nearly rear ended and it could've caused a horrible accident that lead to myself or others dying. If I have an accident because of it I'm definitely suing GM in a very public way.
Power train, Engine, Feb 5, 2025
We live in mn, weather was below zero and was driving home in my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with 45,000 miles on it. Car started to shutter and just shut off. Called tow truck, mechanic said pcv froze and blew out rear seal. I am 24 and fighting brain cancer (medulloblastoma)…I have heard this is a design flaw and Chevrolet knows it. I have medical bills and college debt that are continuous….now I have no vehicle…it will be a couple thousand dollars to fix as long as they don’t find other things wrong with it when I can afford to fix it.
Engine, Feb 4, 2025
Unknown motor blown do to car burning oil with no good explanation as to where it was going or why
Engine, Jan 29, 2025
On the morning of January 20th 2025, the undersized PVC port retained moisture that froze solid during cold temperatures causing pressure to build up resulting in rear seal and intake manifold gasket failure. There should be a recall that includes enlarging the PCV port and replacing the PCV piping that also retains moisture and freezes (this portion was corrected on this vehicle).
Engine, Dec 24, 2024
I purchased the vehicle November 7, 2024 with 137,251 miles. The car shakes and jerks violently while in idle, mostly at stop signs and red lights. The car will lag or stall while accelerating on the highway. It gets so extreme that the vehicle has almost failed and cut off while in motion. That raised red flags and safety concerns for me as the driver, my children as passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers as well. I looked up common issues and discovered that this particular problem is common in this car and i immediately called GM. I was told by GM, the manufacturer, that they did offer a, “Special Coverage Adjustment” back in 2020 for “N192291100 Excessive Engine Oil Consumption – US Only.” Some 2013 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LEA) may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: "Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine". Dealers are to perform an oil consumption test and install new pistons and piston rings if excessive consumption is found. In addition, dealers are to repair or replace any engine components that require repair or replacement if the need for such repair or replacement was solely caused by excessive oil consumption due to piston ring wear. The repairs will be made at no charge to the Customer. This warranty expired in 2020. The car lags while accelerating. The car has suddenly stopped twice while driving. The car shakes and jerks violently especially while in idle. The car has been serviced for two oil changes since date of purchase and has been diagnosed of engine burning oil. GM will not consider offering any assistance.
Engine, Dec 23, 2024
This car burns through oil faster than anything despite regular oil changes and fills in between. Never sends a sensor for low oil and now it is believed to have blown a head gasket likely due to this oil issue. There was an extended fix for pistons issued but the date to qualify was before I purchased this car so I was not eligible-I just saw this recently. This is a danger causing the engine to fail while driving without any warning of any issue leading up to it. I have read hundreds if not thousands of complaints of this exact issue online and on Facebook. The company still has yet to this date to recall this vehicle. I also see there has been a class action settlement which I also was never invited to participate in and I believe this issue needs to be investigated further for faulty parts. My vehicles stalled out several times while driving!! Please please look into the complaints on this specific make,model and year and hold this company accountable for the money people have lost trying to maintain and fix this car while they fail to acknowledge it!
Engine, Dec 9, 2024
High oil consumption, car has had 3 oil changes in less than one month. After about a week after a new oil change, check engine light will come on. Car will shake and jerk while in idle.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 31, 2024
My car is chewing through oil, about 1 quart every 500 miles. There are no leaks, I change oil regularly. It went into limp mode, to then discover the 2.4 4 cylinder Chevys and GMCs are having massive issues. It almost stranded me on the side of the road coming home from work.
Engine, Oct 30, 2024
CAR IS CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2024
I need to no more abut this car
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered that the oil level was low even though the oil had recently been changed. The contact was informed of a possible oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the front the vehicle. The local dealer determined that the front suspension sway bars were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Engine, Sep 18, 2024
Has exhaust leaking from manifold into cabin area
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 11, 2024
No estoy segura
Suspension, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 10, 2024
Vehicle shakes when turning on and while driving, check engine light is on or blinking, service stabilitrack warning, traction control light is on, poor acceleration, Tire monitor system light is on and does not read tire pressure (this is all happening at the same time).
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. Additionally, the contact stated while at a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle started lunging forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The mechanic replaced the VVT solenoids; however, the failure increased significantly. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal tractor-like sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the failure was related to Special Coverage Adjustment: N192291100. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an oil consumption test was completed. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle had failed the oil consumption test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,374.
Engine, Jul 29, 2024
I’ve only had my car 2 years. In August 2023. I had my oil changed. In September 2024, I had no oil at all!! No warning on the dash whatsoever!!! It still keeps happening. I’m tired of getting oil changes paying between $50-60 dollars for oil changes. Buying oil a month after an oil change. I wonder did the dealership know this before they sold it to me and I’m still making payments!!! Beyond sick of it!!
Engine, Jul 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally, and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain had failed. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic for a second opinion, where it was confirmed that the timing chain had fractured, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Engine, Jun 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop at a stop light, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. The contact was able to place the vehicle in neutral and pulled it over to the side of the road. The contact stated that all the warning lights were flashing after the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain broke and went to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. However, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 21, 2024
The car was completely empty of oil even though it wasn’t time for an oil change and there were no leaks or holes. It end up destroying the motor on the vehicle as well. The oil light came on and then the car stop work while driving on the highway. The car was towed to AAmco Transmission and Total Car Care 15282 Veterans Memorial Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385. 636-223-5113. That’s where the car was assessed at and we found out at that time what the issues was. I then found out this exact issue was on recall for another vin numbers. I call the manufacturer to make them aware of what had taken place with this particular vehicle and was told it wasn’t part of the recall. I then asked even though I have proof that it is the same issues. I was just given a claim number for the call and nothing else happened. So if this happened to our car and thankfully my husband was driving and not my daughter that day it could have been a different situation and she would have not knew how to get it off to the side of the highway while waiting for a tow truck. There was no warning until that day because we were keeping up with our car maintenance.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 8, 2024
Engine Problems Due to Excessive Oil Consumption, Rattling, and Failure. Then There Is The Electrical Issues Which Would Drive Anyone Insane causing certain functions not to work. The constant dimming of the screen it self.Im very upset cause im a single mom of a college student, I can’t afford these kind of issues.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 19, 2024
Using to much oil engine making noise
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 13, 2024
Engine failure after complete service inspection.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Apr 10, 2024
See attached document for complaint