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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE SAME DAY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN ADVANCED NOTICE OF AN UPCOMING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AT THE MOMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Visibility, Oct 25, 2016
LETTER FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, SHE HAD THE WIPERS ON THE HIGHEST SETTING WHEN SUDDENLY THE WIPERS FROZE. THE CONSUMERS VISIBILITY WAS IMMEDIATELY REDUCED. THE CONSUMER CALLED AAA AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUFFICIENTLY TO COMPLETE HER TRIP. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND SHE REFERENCED RECALL # 16V582000. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CONFIRMED THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEDY. THE CONSUMER ENTERED HER VIN IN THE GENERAL MOTORS AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND NO ACTIVE RECALLS WERE APPLICABLE TO HER VEHICLE. *JB
Power train, Oct 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY) WAS LATER RECEIVED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 75, STABILITY CONTROL MESSAGE CAN UP FOLLOWED BY REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR REDUCED SPEED VERY QUICKLY WHILE IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. MANAGED TO MOVE TO SHOULDER SAFELY, HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. POWERED OFF VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN TURNED BACK ON TO ATTEMPT RESTART, MESSAGES ARE GONE BUT LEFT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WOULD TURNOVER AND SPUTTER BUT WOULD NOT REMAIN RUNNING. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2016
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC, FRONT WIPER BLADES STOPPED MOVING. MANAGED TO MOVE VEHICLE TO SAFETY AND DISCOVERED WIPERS STILL MOVED FREELY BUT WIPER MOTOR WOULD NOT MOVE WIPER ARMS. NOTIFIED OF RECALL PREVIOUS WEEK, HOWEVER DEALER NOTIFICATION INDICATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 17, 2016
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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2016
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 NOT AVAILABLE. 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.
Visibility, Oct 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD); 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 VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2016
" WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES RECALL"- IT WAS RAINING DECEMBER 6, 2016. IT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE MATHEW AND THE JOB RELEASE US EARLY. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET. I TURNED MY WIND SHIELD WIPERS ON AND IT WIPED. ONE TIME ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND STOPPED. I HAD NO VISIBILITY AND TRIED GET OFF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. I CALLED COGGIN CHEVROLET AND TALKED TO MICHELLE IN SERVICE. PER MICHELLE. THEY WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY. I DROPPED MY CAR AT 7AM 10/8. THE GATE WAS OPEN BUT SERVICE WAS CLOSED. I RETURNED TO COGGIN CHEVROLET ON 10/10 AT 07:00. MY SERVICE ADVISOR WAS MIKE HOPPER. AT FIRST MIKE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME A LOANER. RELUCTANTLY, I WAS GIVEN A LOANER. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM MIKE SAYING REPAIR NEEDED IS AROUND $420.00 WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. BECAUSE THEY ARE UNSURE IF THAT IS APART OF THE RECALL. THEY THREATEN TO CHARGE HER CREDIT CARD IF THE LOANER WASN'T RETURN ON 10/11 AND NOT HONOR THE RECALL TO TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REMEDY IS IN PLACE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 24, 2016
I CALLED GM AND MY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR DUE TO WIPERS STOPPING SUDDENLY CAUSING NO VISIBILITY. I HAD TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE ROADSIDE SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TRIED REPAIRS WHICH WERE ONLY TEMPORARY. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS. I FINALLY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND CALLED THE DEALER AS WELL AS GM AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET THEREFORE THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR ME. I WAS TOLD THE DEALER ALSO DOES NOT KEEP A LIST OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IT IS UP TO ME TO CONTACT THE DEALER WEEKLY TO SEE IF THE PART IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND I CAN ONLY WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER LINKAGE BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ *TR
Engine, Sep 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,855.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V582000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL", WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT BAD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH MY CAR WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD TODDLER IN THE BACKSEAT. ALSO, I'M VERY UPSET WITH THIS MATTER!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 20, 2016
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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2016
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 NOT AVAILABLE. 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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2016
AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES THE 2013 CHEVY EQUINOX'S ENGINE STARTED STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP OR WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE/REVERSE. THINKING IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE GAS, THE GAS WAS RAN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NEW GAS WAS PUT IT; THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. CAR IS ABLE TO IDLE WITHOUT STALLING IF IN PARK OR NEUTRAL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
DRIVERS DOOR INSIDE HANDLE LAMINATION SEPARATES CAUSING CUTS TO OCCUPANTS HANDS WHEN TRYING TO OPEN DOOR TO EXIT VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,300.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2016
I PURCHASED MY 2013 EQUINOX USED WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, DURING MY FIRST RAIN STORM WITH IT, I USED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY WAY TO WORK. ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE WIPERS ON, GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR, THEY STARTED JERKING AS THEY MOVED THEN JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WIND SHIELD. IT WAS 6 IN THE MORNING DURING A THUNDERSTORM. THE ONLY THING I COULD SEE WAS THE TAIL LIGHTS IN FRONT OF ME AND WHEN LIGHTENING FLASHED. I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD FOR HALF OF THE TRIP SO THERE WAS LITTLE LIGHT TO HELP ME SEE THROUGH THE RAIN; THE SECOND HALF OF MY DRIVE WAS CITY STREETS WITH LOTS OF OTHER TRAFFIC WHICH ALSO HAD ME QUITE NERVOUS AS IT WAS POURING AND I COULD BARELY SEE. I HAD TO DRIVE 30 MINUTES TO WORK THIS WAY. VERY SCARY! AFTER WORK I TOOK IT TO HARDY CHEVROLET WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN WIPER TRANSMISSION. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART SO I HAD TO LEAVE MY SUV THERE AND RENT A CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AS IT WAS A USED CAR, THIS WAS NOT COVERED SO IT WAS ALL OUT OF POCKET. THE COST OF REPAIR, NOT COUNTING THE ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL, WAS $403.73. IF THIS IS NOW A RECALL ISSUE...I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSSED FOR HAVING TO ALREADY PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY ITEM. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM THE REPAIR. I CAN NOT FIND THE CAR RENTAL RECEIPT OR I WOULD SAY THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT AS WELL.
Visibility, Aug 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,199.