Vehicle report

2013 Chevrolet Equinox

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has 2 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

2

Open recalls

15

Complaints

4

Overall safety

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2013 Chevrolet Equinox recalls (2)

  • 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.

    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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

    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."

    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.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox safety ratings

4

Overall

4

Front

5

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox owner complaints (15)

  • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    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 it disclosed on the carfax report!! Very upsetting as I will be without a means of transportation.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    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 Equinox! I am not the only owner complaining about the structure of this car! I will take legal action!

  • ENGINE

    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 not high. This started in February 2026.

  • ENGINE

    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.

  • ENGINE

    Frozen PCV that blew rear engine seal

  • ENGINE

    PCV Valve froze due to poor design and crankcase couldn't vent which blew out the rear main seal. Obvious design flaw

  • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    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 forward as if it was trying to move on its own. During driving, I also began hearing a loud crunching, metal-on-metal noise whenever I accelerated or drove under 50 mph. Because these symptoms started suddenly and were severe, I took the vehicle to my mechanic the same day. On November 26, 2025, the mechanic confirmed that the engine had suffered major internal damage due to running with almost no oil. The timing chain and VVT components needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed that oil starvation caused this failure despite a recent oil change, and the inaccurate oil life monitoring system contributed to the hazard by failing to alert me to the critically low oil. This defect presents a significant safety hazard, as the vehicle can jerk unexpectedly, stall, lose power, or suffer sudden engine failure while driving, all without warning. I have since learned that excessive oil consumption and inaccurate oil life readings are widespread in GM 2.4L Ecotec engines. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this safety-related defect.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Dashboard display does not work so I'm unable to see my speed or odometer.

  • ENGINE

    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 warning lights or diagnostic codes to alert the driver. This creates a dangerous situation, particularly when traveling at highway speeds, merging into traffic, or navigating intersections. The timing chain defect in this model appears to be a known and recurring problem among owners of similar GM engines, and there is evidence suggesting design flaws contributing to premature wear and tension problems. However, this vehicle has not been included in prior recalls addressing similar timing chain failures. I rely on this vehicle for essential travel and live on SSDI, which limits my ability to cover repeated high-cost repairs for what appears to be a manufacturer-related safety defect. The risk of sudden engine failure with no prior indication is unacceptable and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request NHTSA review this concern as a potential recall safety issue, given the clear risk of power loss and danger to both myself and other drivers on the road.

  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    It keeps throwing an error and my truck goes into Reduced engine power mode. It happens out of nowhere. One minute it's fine the next my engine starts to reduce power and I can't go faster then 25 mph. We have already replaced the high pressure fuel rail sensor and the fuel pump. It still is having this issue.

  • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

    When gas is applied the transmission skips and doesn't get the power needed to drive car safely. I don't have any lights to indicate this is a problem within the engine. This recall has been issued for my vehicle but when I contacted the customer service for repairs, my vehicle information says there is no recalls for my vehicle. I did receive a letter in the mail stating my car has a recall

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Air conditioner stops working intermittently

  • TIRES

    Purchased my 2013 Chevy Equinox from certified Chevrolet dealer in 2023. All 4 of my tires are: Michelin Latitude Tour M+S (Radial X Green), P235/55 R18. DOT M33J 007X 3012. These are the same tires that were on my SUV at time of purchase & are still on it. Upon purchasing from the dealership, the tires appeared somewhat cracked around the outside walls & where the tread meets the tires. Not being sure how to read all info on tires, I only went by the thickness of the tread, which was great & I didn't question the cracks too much. In the fall of 2024, took my SUV in to have the oil & filters changed, tires rotated, etc, as yearly maintenance. Was made aware at that time by the mechanic that the tread & side walls on the Michelin P235/55 R18 were becoming deeply cracked & I should plan on looking to replace the tires for safety reasons as soon as possible. I don't do a lot of driving, except for around town, so I figured I'll replace them sometime within the next year. I'm now in "the next year". It's 2025 & I've noticed over the last 4-5 months, I am losing air frequently from all the tires & am making biweekly trips to the gas station air pumps. In the past 2-3 months the cracks have increased significantly & now I'm afraid to fill to the recommended air pressure. I think these tires are quite dangerous in the way they seem to be breaking apart. My plan is to get them replaced as soon as I'm financially able. My SUV, only had about 36,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2023. Now it only has 42,000. I don't understand how these tires could be in such bad condition with such awesome, thick tread. I've found an awful lot of complaints re: these specific Michelin Latitude Tour Tires breaking/splitting apart. I don't understand why these specific tires haven't been recalled. There's an incredible danger in driving with these faulty tires. I'm surprised there's been no reported accidents. I'm now afraid to drive much at all, until I can get them replaced.

  • ENGINE

    This car burned through oil like you would not believe. I was unaware of the issues surrounding the engine in my 2013 Chevrolet Equinox until my engine stalled and completely shutdown while I was driving to work in January 2025. I was very lucky I was the only one on the road at the time and was able to move the car to the shoulder but had I been on the highway, I could’ve died in a wreck that would cause. Huge safety issue. The low oil pressure light came on right before but hadn’t done so at all prior and I had been super deligent with all oil changes. It truly just burned up all that oil and the engine to this day has yet to start again. Purchased the car used in Santa Ana, CA in. February 2024. Mechanics had looked it over thoroughly during purchase and before we took it across country and found zero issues yet 11 months later the engine was toast. Now I am stuck with a piece of garbage in my driveway that I still owe money on. This has to be a violation of consumer laws now knowing that GM has been aware of this issue for over a decade!

  • ENGINE

    Have a 2013 Equinox. After driving for 30 minutes the Stabilink light comes on, car car shakes & extreme reduced power. Now my car will not start have been without car. And about to lose my job.

Checking a used Chevrolet Equinox before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2013 Equinox in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Equinox's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox in Alberta:

See other model years of the Chevrolet Equinox, or browse more Chevrolet models.

2013 Chevrolet Equinox — questions and answers

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?+

Our check found 2 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox safe?+

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Chevrolet free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Chevrolet dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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