UsedScore

2013 Chevrolet Equinox: Use caution

Owners filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 103 for every 100,000 sold: 1.4× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (53% of complaints, median 54,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.4×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Equinox year
Rank
12th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
240
first five years; 103 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
2
campaigns
2nd generation, 2010–2017 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Visibility53% · 128 complaints · median 54,000 miles
  2. Air bags5% · 13 complaints · median 41,000 miles
  3. Engine13% · 31 complaints · median 37,000 miles
  4. Electrical13% · 32 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  5. Brakes6% · 14 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  6. Powertrain8% · 18 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  7. Body and structure3% · 7 complaints · median 18,000 miles
  8. Seats and belts2% · 5 complaints · median 43,000 miles
  9. Fuel and propulsion5% · 11 complaints · median 45,000 miles
  10. Steering3% · 7 complaints · median 45,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners describe air bags that sometimes don't deploy during collisions or come on unexpectedly, often paired with a lingering service air bag warning light. Some say dealers found sensor or module faults, while others report the problem couldn't be diagnosed or fixed.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights turning on intermittently, smoke or dust-like fumes near the dash, seat belts locking suddenly, and airbag chemical smells after impacts.
What shops did:
Dealers diagnosed issues such as a passenger presence module short or occupancy sensor fault, sometimes replacing sensors or wiring harnesses at owner expense; some could not replicate or repair the issue.
Mileage:
most between 25,000 and 90,000 miles, among 23 complaints that give it

“I heard a loud noise and my car filled with dust coming from the dash were the passenger airbag is”

Engine

Many owners of this model describe severe oil consumption and related engine failures, sometimes leading to stalling in traffic or complete engine replacement. Warning signs like knocking noises or check-engine lights often appeared, but oil pressure warnings frequently did not, leaving owners surprised by sudden breakdowns.

Warning signs:
Owners report ticking, knocking, or clanking noises, rough idle, reduced-power or check-engine warnings, low or empty oil dipsticks, and sudden stalling while driving.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced piston rings, timing chains, camshaft sensors, or rear main seals, and in many cases had to replace the entire engine; some repairs were denied warranty coverage.
Mileage:
most between 70,000 and 120,000 miles, among 301 complaints that give it

“Engine burned a quart of oil per 1,000 miles, had to monitor it regularly.”

“This freezing causes excess crank case pressure. This pressure blew the rear main seal of the engine.”

Visibility

Owners describe windshield wipers that suddenly quit working, often mid-drive in rain or snow, sometimes leaving them unable to see the road. Many say a related recall existed but repair parts were unavailable for a long time, leaving the problem unresolved.

Warning signs:
Many report wipers stalling mid-windshield or ceasing to move while a whining or clicking motor noise continues, usually during rain or snow.
What shops did:
Dealers or independent shops often replaced the wiper transmission, motor, linkage bushings or ball joints, though some owners say recall parts were unavailable for extended periods.
Mileage:
most between 40,000 and 75,000 miles, among 91 complaints that give it

“I heard a loud bam under my hood and the windshield wipers almost flew off the car”

“My wipers stuck to the left. I had a very difficult time seeing where to go”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (2)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V582000August 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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V502000July 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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 1,941 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2013 Equinox. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
  • 25-NA-052 · March 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
  • 21-NA-043 · January 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
  • 22-NA-074 · January 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has…
  • 09-06-04-026Z · January 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
  • 04-06-01-029K · October 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
  • 01-06-01-011Q · October 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.

All 2013 Equinox bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
Owners filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox in its first five years on the road, about 103 for every 100,000 sold: 1.4× the rate of a typical Equinox year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Equinox years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2013 Equinox problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (53%), the air bags (5%) and the engine (13%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, the most recent in August 2016 (visibility). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox on NHTSA.gov · How we rate