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.
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.
Engine, Nov 7, 2017
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER SPEAKING WITH A CHEVY OWNER WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD HIS ENGINE COMPLETELY REBUILD BY GM. I WAS OVER THE 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BY 1000 MILES BY THE TIME I LEARNED OF THE ISSUE. I SPECIFICALLY TOLD THE LADY AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS OVER 100K MILES AND SHE SAID IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. THE GM DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME WITH OIL CONSUMPTION MONITORING TEST AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ONCE I GOT THERE.THE 2012 EQUINOX JUST RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7.5 YEARS OR 120K TO HAVE THE CONSUMPTION TEST AND ENGINE REPAIRS DONE. I NOW HAVE 119K ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE AND OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE AROUND 80K. GM PUT A BAD ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE AND THEY KNOW IT BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS. GM NEEDS TO DO RIGHT BY THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. IF THE ENGINE IS BAD RECALL IT BECAUSE I KNOW SEVERAL OWNERS IN THE SAME POSITION AS ME AND WE ARE LOOKING TO TAKE OUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY "AMERICAN" MAN BUT YOU HAVE BEEN PRODUCING A CHEAP PRODUCT AND INCREASING THE COST. FIX YOUR MISTAKE AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND YOU WILL RETAIN YOUR CUSTOMERS OR GOUGE HARDWORKING PEOPLE OVER AN ISSUE YOU KNOW IS YOUR FAULT AND LOSE THEM.
Engine, Oct 20, 2017
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS YEARS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN OUR VEHICLE. NO WARNING ON LOW OIL LEVELS. LESS THAN THREE THOUSAND MILE SINCE OIL CHANGE AND ALREADY DOWN 3 QUARTS WITH NO WARNING,
Visibility/wiper, Oct 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT EXPEL FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN OPERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAVE REFILLED THE FLUID TWICE. THE WIPER FLUID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED UNTIL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) WAS COMPLETED AT HALEY BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 9831 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Engine, Oct 19, 2017
EXTREMELY ROUGH IDLE AND VEHICLE STALLS AT RED LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. OIL IS GONE IN BETWEEN RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES; DIP STICK DOESN'T REGISTER OIL.
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.
Engine, Oct 13, 2017
GM IS AWARE OF AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE ON 2010MY+ CHEVY EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN WITH THE 2.4L ECOTEC ENGINE. THEY HAVE SO FAR ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS FOR 2010-2012MY TO REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS AND TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE IN THIS SITUATION, THE TIMING CHAIN CAN STRETCH CAUSING IT TO SKIP SEVERAL TEETH AND CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (1 QUART EVERY ~1000 MILES) TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IS INSTRUCTED TO DO AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BY GM. 200 MILES AFTER WE BEGAN THIS OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, I STARTED THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THERE WERE LOUD SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND A NEW ENGINE IS RECOMMENDED. GM DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE. BULLETIN SB-10058791-5041
Engine, Oct 10, 2017
THE ENGINE OF MY CHEVROLET EQUINOX HAS BEEN BURNING OFF WAY TOO MUCH OIL. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY EQUINOXS. AFTER TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PISTON RINGS ARE NOT SEALING, AND THUS LETTING MORE OIL THROUGH TO BE BURNED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR IS 3300 DOLLARS. CONSIDERING IT IS AN ENGINE FAILURE, GM SHOULD BE ON THE LINE FOR THAT COST. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS, AS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN MY OIL WAS DRAMATICALLY LOW LONG BEFORE I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. OVERALL A DANGEROUS FACTOR.
Steering, Oct 6, 2017
FLAT TOW THIS CAR BEHIND MOTOR HOME. YESTERDAY WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM STOP AT A REDLIGHT THE CAR STEERING BEGAN TO PULSATE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT SHAKING THE CAR AND MOTOR HOME. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY IN TRAFFIC. AFTER ACCELERATING FROM STOP THE CAR WAS NORMAL. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE TOWING ABOUT 10000 MILES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. VERY UPSETTING AND I FEEL DANGEROUS EVENT. DID NOT NOTICE POTHOLES OR ROUGHNESS OF THE STREET WHERE IT HAPPENED.
Wheels, Oct 4, 2017
LUG NUTS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH AND ARE CRACKED. 70,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND HAVE HAD TIRES ROTATED AT DEALERSHIP AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS.
Seat belts, Oct 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SUDDENLY RETRACTED, LEAVING THE PASSENGER UNSECURED IN THE SEAT. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT CLIP THAT MOUNTED TO THE FLOOR HAD SEPARATED DUE TO FAULTY STITCHING. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Wheels, Sep 28, 2017
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES 235/55R18 99T M+S DOT M33J 007X 1810. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL, EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH THE OTHER SIZES OF LATITUDE TOUR TIRES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE TIRE THAT I HAVE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER RECALLED TIRES AND HAVE TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES IMMEDIATELY, NOT BECAUSE THE TREAD IS WEARING OUT, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE IN DANGER OF BLOWING OUT DUE TO THE TREAD/SIDEWALL SEPARATION, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 25, 2017
I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC FRIEND THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT WENT OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.WIPER MOTORS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS IS ONLY A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR & IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. I'VE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFETIME THAT WERE DECADES OLD OR MORE AND NONE OF THEM EVER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THERE IS IN FACT A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2013 EQUINOXES AND GMCS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, YET MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED FOR SOME REASON. I'M EXTREMELY UPSET, CHEVROLET CLEARLY MANUFACTURED FAULTY WIPERS, FOR THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR A 2013 VEHICLE, YET THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I LIVE IN SEATTLE WHERE IT RAINS ALMOST EVERY DAY, SO WIPERS ARE A MUST. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY IT WAS THE PASSENGER WIPER AND NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER THAT FAILED. I COULD HAVE CRASHED AND GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. EVEN AFTER I PAY CHEVY FOR THE REPAIR, IS MY DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER STILL AT RISK FOR FAILING? ARE THEY JUST GOING TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART WITH ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR FAULTY WIPER MOTORS & THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS & I'M BACK EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR THE SAME ISSUE? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 14, 2017
2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING BALL JOINTS IN WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL WERE UNAVAILABLE DESPITE THE RECALL NOTICE STATING THEY WERE AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/14/2017*JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2017
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2016. RADIO/BLUETOOTH SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. WAITED 4 MONTHS FOR NEW RADIO TO COME WAS REPLACED FEBRUARY 2017 AND THE RADIO WENT AGAIN 2017 AND HAVE TO WAIT TO HEAR ABOUT REPAIR.
Engine, Sep 5, 2017
THE ENGINE BURNS ABOUT A QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES. WE HAD A DEALER LOOK INTO IT, INCLUDING A DIP TEST EVERY 500 MILES. THEY FOUND THAT IT IS INDEED BURNING OIL, AND SAID DUE TO LOW TENSION RINGS AND SHORT SKIRT PISTON, THIS WAS NORMAL. I'M NO MECHANIC, BUT 3 QUARTS OF OIL PER NORMAL OIL CHANGE INTERVALS SEEMS REALLY EXCESSIVE. IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS PRETTY MUCH SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. I GUESS IT COULD BE SAFETY RELATED BECAUSE SEVERE OIL CONSUMPTION COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Power train, Aug 11, 2017
MY CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LAST WEEK AFTER I HAD PICKED IT UP FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY HAD REPAIRED MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON I AM UNABLE TO USE MY REMOTE START. MY ENGINE SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO CUT OUT. MY CAR DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY.
Engine, Aug 7, 2017
STARTED BURNING OIL TOO QUICKLY WHICH RUINED THE ENGINE. WE WERE USING THE UPPER GRADE OIL AND HAVING TO CHANGE IT BEFORE 3000 MILES DUE TO CAR SHAKING. WE HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE . CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN MOTION ON A COUNTRY ROAD
Visibility, Equipment, Aug 2, 2017
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING COPY OF A LETTER TO GENERAL MOTORS CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARY T BARA EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH HIS CURRENT CHEVROLET VEHICLES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR FAILED AT 54,356 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS
Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERATIVE LOWERING THE VISIBILITY TO ZERO. WITHOUT WIPERS I COULD NOT SAFELY DRIVE AND HAD THIS DEFECT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS, CHEVROLET DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR AN ALREADY PAID REPAIR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2017
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. CAR RUNS VERY ROUGH. STALLS. TOOK TO DEALER. REPORT RECEIVED: IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES 100 F DEGREES OR HIGHER, DTCS P2635 AND/OR P108B MAY SET. THE VEHICLE MAY ALSO EXHIBIT A HESITATION OR STALLING CONDITION. CAUSE: EXCESSIVELY HOT AND SUSTAINED AMBIENT TEMPS OVER 100 F DEGREES CAUSING VAPORT BUILDUP IN FUEL FEED LINE. ADVISED TO USE GREATER THAN 91 OCTANE FUEL, KEEP IN COVERED GARAGE. THERE IS NO FIX! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US: WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, CAR BOGS DOWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE, SLOWING WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ON WAY HOME, 96 DEGREE DAY, TWO BABIES IN CAR WITH GROCERIES, STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON HEAVILY TRAVELED, TWO LANE ROAD, CAR STALLS OUT AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. WHILE COMING OFF THE INTERSTATE THIS MORNING, THE CAR ALMOST STALLED AGAIN. IF CAR WILL STALL WHILE IDLING OR ACCELERATING, THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2017
CAR STALLS AND LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING LOSING STEERAGE AND CONTROLL OF THE VEHICLE
Steering, Jul 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHILE BEING FLAT TOWED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHANDLER CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO SAFETY ISSUES. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE BLUE LOX MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE GMC MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,833.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2017
6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CAR BEGAN STALLING. VEHICLE ALWAYS WAS LOW ON OIL, EVEN WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. LOSS OF ACCELERATION SPEED AND STALLING BECAME USUAL. FINALLY AFTER FILLING THE TANK IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD IT TOWED. TIMING CHAIN WAS THE REASON GIVEN SO $3600 LATER I FIGURED IT WAS FIXED. NOT THE CASE. OIL WAS STILL HAVING TO BE ADDED AND 1.5 YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN. WE STILL OWE 9K ON A CAR THAT IS INOPERABLE AND ALSO USAA REQUIRES US TO KEEP OUR INSURANCE. I
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2017
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THUNDERSTORM ON JULY 1, 2016. I PAYED FOR REPAIRS $474, IN 2016. CAR RECALLED FOR SAME 2017. RECALL ID NUMBER 16V582. GM SAID I WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF ALREADY FIXED. TOOK TO DEALER AS INSTRUCTED, BUT GM ONLY REIMBURSED FOR PART $148 ( WAS I TO INSTALL IT MYSELF ?) . SAID BILL IN WRONG NAME, BUT IN HUSBAND NAME AS NOTED. THEY DECLINED OTHER DOCUMENTATION. SAID PART NUMBER WRONG; I HAD NO CONTROL OVER PART NUMBER, JUST NEEDED WIPERS TO WORK. I AM STILL OUT OVER $300. HOW CAN GM CLAIM THEY ARE REIMBURSING?