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2013 Chevrolet Equinox Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 751 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, most often about the engine (56% of complaints, typically around 93,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Equinox model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems
Engine
420 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Oil consumption issue a quart of oil has to be added to the car once a week according to a Chevrolet service bulletin, the most common cause is stuck oil control rings. Generally the stuck oil control rings are the result of excessive oil on the cylinder walls and this excessive oil can come from the pcv system and/or…
I bought my Equinox used in 2014...I have been going thru excessive oil consumption...1 quart every 1000 miles...and no lights to indicate low oil...it has an extremely rough idle...and will die at stop lights...this is a nightmare for a single parent...I have taken this in to many service repair facilities...only to…
Visibility and wipers
159 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield.
The incident occurred while driving on the fl turnpike at midnight in a torrential down pour. The wipers were on & then they just stopped in the middle of the windshield! Very scary nearly drove off the overpass. When you turn the windshield wipers off and on you can hear the motor running but the wipers just fall…
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…
Transmission
80 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: transfer case (4-wheel drive).
84,000 miles, transfer case housing cracked. Dealer stated that the side was "blown out" due to internal damage. Car started to lose power, and strong smell of burnt fluid. Drove straight to dealership. New transfer case installed for $2,600. Of course, the 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty was only for 5 year. This…
82k miles on the vehicle and am having to put 2-3 quarts of oil in car between oil changes. Check engine light is coming on every few hundred miles now and the oil dipstick is dry. I fill up with approximately 2 quarts and the engine is fine until another 200-300 miles when the check engine light comes on again and…
Electrical
69 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, software.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
63 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The infotainment radio system failed. This controls not only the radio but the backup camera and the hands free calling. Been googling and it appears to be a common problem that is not being resolved. I called gm and they put me with gm infotainment team and they acknowledged that there is a problem but it is not a…
Engine is burning oil at an alarming rate. Every 1,000 miles there will be no oil on the dip stick. No warning light has came on stating my oil is low. I could have blown my engine multiple times if I didn't check my oil regularly. This is not safe. I bought this car from a dealership 5 months ago and have already had…
Fuel system
45 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
My eco-tec engine burns oil. I have had the engine worked on twice for the same repair resulting in over $3,000 paid out of pocket. I have my oil changed every 3000 miles or less. I also have to add 2-3 quarts of oil on a weekly basis. Additionally, now my vehicle is experiencing a fuel issue where I'm now burning…
Service engine light comes on frequently. Car runs very rough. Stalls. Took to dealer. Report received: in ambient temperatures 100 f degrees or higher, dtcs p2635 and/or p108b may set. The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition. Cause: excessively hot and sustained ambient temps over 100 f…
Air bags
25 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. The air bags did not deploy. The rear passenger seat occupant sustained a head injury, which required medical attention. The…
Takata recall, intermittently when starting the car the service airbag light will come on, this started at about 50,000 miles. Usually if the car is turned off and restarted the message will disappear. Occasionally, while the car is in motion the message will appear. It usually clears if the car is stopped and…
Stability control
20 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles.
Every time it rains and water gets under the car my AC goes out. It will come back on in a day or so. It has been going on over a year. The dealership seems to not care.
The engine oil consumption is 5 to 6 quarts of oil in 3000 miles. This often results in violent vehicle jerking, as well as stability and power reduction, resulting in the engine power to be reduced causing potential collisions in traffic. This can occur and has occurred both when stopping and while in motion.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox recalls
Visibility and wipers: motor
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (420 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); visibility and wipers (159 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); transmission (80 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 4, 2016 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Chevrolet Equinox?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Equinox model year since 2000, with 751 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.