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, Jun 17, 2017
PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG MAP SENSOR WITH FOAM, WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 688.49 ON FEB 8 2017. SEAT BELT SENSOR KEPT GOING OFF.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AL CERA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED IN THE PSCM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE CASE WOULD BE FORWARDED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Seat belts, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 6, 2017, crash
"TAMARA RECALL" I'M WRITING REGUARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED OUT MY VEHICLE BUT NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ? I HIT A DEER AT 75-80 MPH ON A HWY IT HIT MY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND CONTINUED UP OVER MY HOOD AND ACTUALLY DENTED PART OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FENDER I COULDN'T EVEN OPEN THE DOOR ALL THE WAY! NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. LUCKILY I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHICH SOMETHING IN THE SEAT BELT BLEW WHEN IT LOCKED ME IN PLACE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE DEER HITTING JUMPING OUT AT ME A WARNING POPPED UP ON MY DASH BELIEVE SAID "LOCKED" BUT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST , IT PUSHED & CRACKED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER MY HOOD. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE, FLUIDS ON THE GROUND NO FIRE THANKFULLY ! MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND MANY HAVE QUESTIONED ME ABOUT THE AIR BAGS. I'M NOW WONDERING THE SAME THING. WHY IN THE WORLD DID NONE OF THESE GO OFF ? IF I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF ! I'VE DONE RESEARCH I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS, BUT I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED BY THIS!
Visibility/wiper, Jun 5, 2017
BOTH WIPERS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL.
Visibility/wiper, May 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT CALLED GUS PAULOS CHEVROLET (4050 3500 S, WEST VALLEY CITY, UT 84120 (801) 758-8387) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ *CN
Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HIGH, THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS IN THE WIPER MODULE WERE FAULTY. THE WIPERS WERE READJUSTED AND THE DRIVER WAS INSTRUCTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RECUR WHEN USING THE WIPERS ON THE HIGH SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2017
WINDSHIELD WIPERS POPS OFF AND STOPS WORKING. ENGINE RUNS WHILE KEY IS NOT INSERTED
Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER CALLED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE, BUT THE CONTACT CALLED BACK AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR MAY 3, 2017, BUT THEN STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) AND THE PART HAD NOT BEEN SUPPLIED IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO VIEW OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DUE TO THE FAILURE THAT IMPACTED THE CONTACTS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS CHECKING TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART MAY BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,502. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *CN
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2017
VEHICLE STOPPED TWICE TRYING TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY.
Engine, Apr 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CLOG POSITIVE CRANK CASE VENTILATION AND THE OIL SEALS, MANIFOLD, AND PCV VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Apr 3, 2017
USING WAY TO MUCH OIL. VERY DISAPPOINTED. I BUY A CAR TO KEEP LONG TERM. PRETTY OBVIOUS THIS PROBLEM WAS WELL KNOWN BY AUTOMAKER. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. WILL NEVER BUY A GM AGAIN!!!!
Visibility/wiper, Mar 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 29, 2017
WIPERS BECAME INOPERATIVE WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PHILLIPS CHEVROLET WHO ADVISED THE PROBLEM WAS THE WIPER TRANSMISSION WHEREBY ONE OF THE ARMS BROKE OFF AND CAUSED THE ASSEMBLY TO STOP WORKING. THE CHARGE WAS $420.02 TO REPLACE THE WIPER ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE MOTOR FOR THE WIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION GETS REPLACED. AFTERWARD, I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM A FELLOW EQUINOX OWNER WHO ADVISED THE WIPER PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN, AND THE ISSUE IS UNDER A RECALL UNDER GENERAL MOTORS #25302. IF IT IS A RECALL, WHY THEN WAS I CHARGED $420 BY THE CHEVROLET DEALER???
Engine, Mar 27, 2017
2.4L ECO TECH ENGINES HAVE A DESIGN FLAW WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 14882 AND APPARENTLY THIS BULLETIN WAS ONLY SENT TO SOME OWNERS BUT NOT ALL OWNERS AND THE ISSUE IS THE PCV ORFICE GETS PLUGGED WITH ICE IN THE WINTER CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD IN THE ENGINE WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO FAIL ON THE ENGINE. EVEN THOUGH MY EQUINOX HAD THIS 2.4L ECOTECH ENGINE AND I DID ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED GM FAILED TO SEND ME THIS NOTICE (WHICH THEY TOLD ME THAT DID NOT SEND IT TO ME SINCE I DID NOT HAVE AN ECO TECH WHICH I DID) BUT THEY ALSO EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO FIX IT UNTIL 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES AND MINE FAILED AT 4 YEARS AND 125,000 SO OF COURSE THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX OR REIMBURSE ME FOR MY OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT IT. ALSO MY TRUCK JUST LOST POWER AS I WAS DRIVING AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF I HAD BEEN ON A BUSY FREEWAY AT THE TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD AT THE TIME JUST BEFORE ENTERING A FREEWAY WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT THE SERVICE BULLETIN I COULD HAVE PREVENTED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE BY HAVING THE ISSUE LOOKED AT AND DEALT WITH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT .
Visibility/wiper, Mar 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Mar 26, 2017
ENGINE STALLS AT LOW RPM. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AT RANDOM TIMES FROM REVERSE / BACKING UP THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE ENGINE HAS STALLED AT RED LIGHTS WHEN STAKING OFF AT LOW RPMS, CAUSING PEOPLE BEHIND ME TO STOP SUDDENLY WHILE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.
Engine, Mar 20, 2017
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE A QUART OF OIL HAS TO BE ADDED TO THE CAR ONCE A WEEK ACCORDING TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN, THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS STUCK OIL CONTROL RINGS. GENERALLY THE STUCK OIL CONTROL RINGS ARE THE RESULT OF EXCESSIVE OIL ON THE CYLINDER WALLS AND THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CAN COME FROM THE PCV SYSTEM AND/OR THE AFM PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IN THE OIL PAN.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Mar 16, 2017
I JUST RECENTLY REPLACED MY ENGINE THAT BLEW UP. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A DOCTORS. APPT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUV WENT FROM DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT TO BARELY MOVING. I HAD TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO PARK IT IN A SAFE PLACE.I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION DIED. SO IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ONCE I HIT 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR BOTH TO COMPLETELY DIE BACK TO BACK.
Engine, Mar 16, 2017
I HAD 100,000 MILES ON MY CHEVY EQUINOX AND IN DECEMBER WITH OUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW UP. I HAD RECENTLY HAD A OIL CHANGE BUT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE BARELY HAD ANY OIL. I HAD ARRIVED AT A DOCTORS OFFICE WAS THERE FOR A HOUR AND WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.