2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems, complaints & recalls

2013 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (2)

• Recall 16V582000Aug 4, 2016367,808 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

  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.

  Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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."

  Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2013 Chevrolet Equinox complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026168,000 miOHBody & StructureSuspension

   The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the ABS warning light was illuminated. The warranty company was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test by the warranty company. The vehicle was taken to the certified service center, where it was diagnosed with front passenger-side wheel bearing failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11763006 · source
2. Filed Sep 2, 2026MOEngine

   We changed the external fuel pump, we changed the oil cap to the vented oil cap, We changed the oil 2x within 2 days, once trying to get it by until we could get the new fuel pump on,and once directly after and still had issues. Losing power and getting stranded while trying to cross a busy highway is terrifying, 100% —it is an extreme, life-threatening safety risk.I returned the vehicle and took a heavy financial loss, The fact that this dangerous car is back with a seller…

   NHTSA complaint #11761531 · source
3. Filed Jun 29, 2026COEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2013 Equinox is experiencing the excessive oil loss without warning..this led to transmission..engine..timing failure. The car loses power jerks at slower speeds it sounds horrible and has cost a lot of money for repairs. Still don’t know if it will last much longer. This is a burden on my family as we can’t afford to just go buy another vehicle. I purchased it in 2022 and in 2019 there was a lawsuit being settled for these exact problems and I was not told this nor was…

   NHTSA complaint #11747310 · source
4. Filed May 11, 2026ILOther / Unknown

   There is corrosion and rust that is underneith my car! This is a very poor constuction of Chevy! This should never happen as long as the car is driving. When this corrosion happened there are a brake cable that is dangling under my car which is going on because of the rust and corrision underneith my car! I want answers and Chevy to do something about fixing the hanging brake cable under my car! I don't want any risks of saftey because of Chevy's very poor designing of my…

   NHTSA complaint #11736975 · source
5. Filed Apr 5, 2026OHEngine

   While driving at around 110,900 to 111,115 miles(it being 111,115 now), it occassionally will get a very loud thumping sound and my car goes into limp mode and loses power. Shakes horribly bad in the process. I have to turn the car off and sit there waiting for it to calm down and then drive 35mph to get home. Piston problem ive been told. Every time this has happened, ive been on a very busy highway with my 2 kids in the car with me. Please send out a recall! The miles are…

   NHTSA complaint #11729284 · source
6. Filed Feb 18, 2026KSEngine

   Excessive oil consumption i have the same 2.1 liter echo tech engine that was previously involved in the lawsuit against General Motors for the 2013 chevy equinox excessive oil consumption. My car has stalled, jerked and keeps me in the auto parts stores buying oil all the time even long before time to change the oil.

   NHTSA complaint #11718889 · source
7. Filed Dec 4, 2025INEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2013 Chevrolet Equinox (~132,000 miles) has a serious and unsafe oil consumption problem. I had a full oil change, and only two weeks later the dipstick was completely dry. The vehicle provided no warning lights, no low-oil indication, and the GM Oil Life Monitoring System gave an inaccurate reading, failing to alert me to the critically low oil level. On November 25, 2025, while stopped with my foot firmly on the brake, the vehicle began constantly jumping and jerking…

   NHTSA complaint #11702890 · source
8. Filed Oct 27, 2025KYEngine

   I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing and serious safety-related timing chain issue with my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LT. The timing chain loses tension intermittently, which places the vehicle at immediate risk of significant engine damage, stalling, or complete loss of power during operation. This issue compromises the vehicle’s ability to operate safely in traffic. A sudden failure of the timing chain system can result in abrupt engine shutdown, without any…

   NHTSA complaint #11695927 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology