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, Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2016
THE RADIO FAILED IN OCT 2015. NO DISPLAY OR CONTROLS. REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A NEW RADIO. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS. THEY INSTALLED THE NEW RADIO IN JAN 2016. ON 2/21/16, RADIO FAILED AGAIN. NO CONTROLS AND BLANK SCREEN. AM STATIONS APPEARED BUT IT STUCK ON AN FM STATION. I ONLY STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HADN'T MOVED YET. I DIDN'T RECEIVE A WORK ORDER FOR THE REPAIR, BUT DID ON THE INITIAL COMPLAINT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 31, 2016
CENTER CONSOL (DEFOGGER, BLOWER, RADIO, A/C AND ACCOMPANYING LIGHTING) WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON STREET. NO BLOWN FUSES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES.
Power train, Jan 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK SEVERELY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2016
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON US HIGHWAY ROUTE 11 LAST EVENING, JAN. 8, 2016, THE FRONT WIPERS ON MY EQUINOX SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR SOUNDS TO BE FUNCTIONING BUT THE WIPERS WILL NOT MOVE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING IT WAS RAINING AND DARK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2015
I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE MIDDLE CONSOLE THAT CONTROLS THE HVAC, RADIO, CAMERA, ECT. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED ONCE. NOW, I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP, GIVE THE CAR BACK, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO IF YOU CAN'T REPLICATE IT. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN I AM STARTING THE CAR, BUT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE DRIVING. THE CALL CAME BACK WHEN THE SYSTEM REBOOTED. THESE ISSUES BEGAN AROUND THE 18K MILES AND I AM AT 31K MILES NOW. IT HAPPENS NO LESS THAN TWICE BEFORE I TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP ANOTHER TIME BECAUSE I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WAS AT 3000RPMS. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT THE 31K MILES AND ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. AGAIN, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT, SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAITED UNTIL IT STOPPED RAINING TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER LINKAGE BUSHING ASSORTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Wheels, Oct 24, 2015
SEAL AROUND ALLOYS ARE LEAKING TIRE PRESSURE HAD TIRE REPAIRED ONCE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WARING LIGHT FOR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONSISTANTLY STAYS ILLUMINATED.
Power train, Air bags, Oct 13, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE MODULE THAT OPERATED THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,239.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2015
I PURCHASED THIS 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL. I FOUND THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE ABSENTS OF A WAY TO CHECK THE FLUID AND WAS TOLD ALL NEW VEHICLES NO LONGER HAVE A DIP STICK TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF YOU RELY ON SOME SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TELL YOU THAT YOUR FLUID IS LOW OR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED YOU COULD BE PAYING MONEY THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE NECESSARY. IF YOUR ON A TRIP OF ANY DISTANCE YOU COULD BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF LACK OF FLUID THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE FLUIDS BEEN CHECKED PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP. HOW ABOUT DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE TRANSMISSION COMES APART FOR LACK OF FLUID AN YOU HAVE AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND YOU AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP THAT 18 WHEELER WOULD ROLL RIGHT OVER THE TOP OF DISABLED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO ALL MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WITH NO FLUID DIPSTICK FOR FLUID CHECK OF THE TRANSMISSION SUCH AS THAT OF MY 2013 CHEVROLET.
Engine, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW COOLANT LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2015
DRIVING IN LEFT LANE ON I75 AT 70 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. STARTED TO RAIN AND WITHIN SECONDS TURNED TO A DOWNPOUR. I SWITCHED MY WIPERS FROM REGULAR TO HIGH SPEED, THEY MADE 2 OR 3 STROKES AND THEN QUIT. I COULDN'T SEE A THING. MOST SCARED I'VE EVER BEEN IN A VEHICLE. LUCKILY, NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED SUDDENLY, SO I FLIPPED ON MY FLASHERS AND GRADUALLY SLOWED AND EDGED ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER. TURNS OUT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION HAS SEVERAL PLASTIC BALL/SOCKET PIECES, AND ONE FAILED, SEPARATING THE MOTOR FROM THE LINKAGE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE MULTICAR WRECK. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND AM AN ASE MASTER TECH. I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT CARS. IN A SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEM LIKE WIPERS, WHY, OTHER THAN A SMALL COST, WHY COULDN'T THE LINKAGE BE DESIGNED NOT TO SEPARATE WHEN THE BALL/SOCKET FAILS? A SECONDARY CONNECTION OR IMPROVED DESIGN THAT WOULD ALLOW THE WIPERS TO OPERATE, EVEN POORLY, UNTIL A VEHICLE CAN GET OFF THE ROAD. I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED (ALONG WITH OTHERS) BY THE FAILURE OF A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT IS NEVER INSPECTED WHEN AN AUTO IS SERVICED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2015
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT PREPARING TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN ON RED, WHICH IS LEGAL IN OKLAHOMA, AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND AS I HAD BEGUN THE TURN SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DIED AND ALL LIGHTS AND POWER WAS LOST. I COASTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A GAS STATION THAT WAS ON THE CORNER NEAREST TO ME AND AFTER TWO TO THREE MINUTES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING AS NORMAL. MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING, NIGHT OR DAY, THE FORWARD COLLISION ALERT WILL BEGIN BEEPING AND FLASHING AS IF YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A FORWARD COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, YET THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU LITERALLY FOR MILES AT SOME TIMES. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE BRAKES TO BE DEPRESSED AND THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE FORWARD COLLISION ALERT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. ALSO, THE DISPLAY FOR THE RADIO AND VARIOUS OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FROZE THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN AND NOT ALLOWED ANY AIR, RADIO, OR ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS TO BE ABLE TO BE CHANGED, SOMETIMES FOR SEVERAL HOURS. ALSO THE REAR DOOR WILL SOMETIMES REMAIN LOCKED WHEN ALL OTHER DOORS ARE UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL UNIT AND/OR THE BUTTONS IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I AM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM, ON THIS UPCOMING FRIDAY JULY 3RD, 2014.
Seats, Jun 7, 2015, crash
I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND (OTHER DRIVER EST. 35 MPH) I WAS SITTING STILL AT ZERO SPEED. DURING THIS REAR-END COLLISON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK SUPPORT AND HEAD REST BROKE. I ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING BACK INJURIES. I AM QUESTIONING THE DURABILITY OF THE FRONT SEATS OF THIS VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2015
HAVE HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF PARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, May 19, 2015
IT WAS RAINING AT ABOUT 3:00 PM AND THE WIPERS WERE WORKING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY STOPPED AND I CAN'T SEE AND ALMOST RUN INTO THE OTHER CARS BECAUSE THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW AND MY DAUGHTER IS AFRAID OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2015
THE VEHICLE OPERATOR INSERTED THE SWITCHBLADE STYLE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. OPERATOR WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION OVER TO START THE ENGINE. THE KEY FOB'S METAL CASING FOR THE KEY BROKE. THIS RESULTED IN 3 PIECES, THE REMOTE KEY FOB BODY, THE KEY & THE METAL COVER OF THE KEY. THE HINGE OR THE SWTICHBLADE PORTION IS STILL CONNECTED TO THE FOB. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE COULD NOT GIVE AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT ACTIONS COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN OR ANSWER IF THE IGNITION SWITCH BEEN BUMPED WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE IS 1200 MILES OUT OF THE "COVERED" WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. ALL FOUR PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOORS BY RELEASING THE DOOR LOCKS (THE DOOR LOCK BUTTONS POPPED UP) AND BY USING THE DOOR HANDLES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND TRIED THE EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE OCCUPANTS CONTACTED ONSTAR FOR ASSISTANCE. ONSTAR WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE DOOR LOCKS. ONSTAR INVOLVED EMERGENCY ONSTAR ASSISTANCE OVER THE TELEPHONE, WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE OCCUPANTS REMAINED TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONSTAR INSTRUCTED THE DRIVER TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. WHILE ENROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP, ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 65-70 MPH, THE REAR, DRIVER-SIDE DOOR RELEASED AND OPENED, RESULTING IN THE LIGHTING OF THE DOME LIGHTS AND THE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR ON THE DASH. THERE WERE OCCUPANTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME, ON THE DRIVER-SIDE. ONCE ARRIVING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE FRONT-PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. THE REAR, DRIVER-SIDE DOOR OPENED. HOWEVER, THE FRONT, DRIVER-SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN AND REMAINED LATCH AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. EVENTUALLY, THE DRIVER DOOR OPENED AND ALL OCCUPANTS VACATED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OVER TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2015
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING...ALWAYS AND EVERYDAY (V6 ENGINE MODELS) CADILLAC HAS ISSUED A RECALL # 14132 FOR THE SAME POWERTRAIN IN THE 2013 CADILLAC SRX! CHEVROLET SHOULD DO THE SAME! *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 11, 2015
WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND A HERD OF DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT ONE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND MY SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND A FUNNY SMELL CAME OVER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T SHUT OFF MY 4WAYS TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THAT SINCE THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND I PURCHASED IT TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE THAT A FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IS RIDICULOUS AND I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRADE THIS CAR IN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH A TIGHT SEAT BELT AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS. THE MONEY I AM SPENDING TO BUY THIS CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS AS IT IS THEN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND IT NOT WORK THE WAY IT IS INTENDED TO I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED IN SOME WAY. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 9, 2015
AFTER PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE/TURNED RADIO ON. THE WHOLE DASHBOARD WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES.LATER THAT EVENING WHEN I GOT IN CAR KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES CAR STARTED AND AS I STARTED TO DRIVE DASHBOARD AND RADIO BLINKED ON AND OFF. HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING. LIGHTS AND RADIO CAME BACK ON AND PROCEEDED TO BLINK. CAR MAKING NOISE OFF AND ON. *TR
Engine, Apr 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,200.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2015
SECOND TIME MY THROTTLE SENSOR HAS FAILED DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR