High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2013-chevrolet-equinox

2013 Chevrolet Equinox Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

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Defect Risk Score
100 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
751
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
2
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
25
20 Crashes • 5 Fires
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2013 Chevrolet Equinox Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Engine & Cooling 42.7%
321 reported failures
Visibility & Wipers 17%
128 reported failures
Powertrain & Transmission 10.4%
78 reported failures
Electrical System 7.2%
54 reported failures
Unknown Or Other 6.8%
51 reported failures
Airbags & Restraints 2.8%
21 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox (2)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #16V582000 Component: Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

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.

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

Free 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.

NHTSA Campaign #16V502000 Component: Electrical System

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."

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

Free 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.

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🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11763006 • Suspension 09/09/2026

"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. T..."

ODI #11761531 • Engine & Cooling 09/02/2026

"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-threa..."

ODI #11752917 • Wheels & Tires 07/26/2026

"225/65/r17 Side wall blew out on me tire pressure system did not let me know . I had to sweave to miss oncoming traffic"

ODI #11752919 • Wheels & Tires 07/26/2026

"225/r17 Pressure system did not alert the other driver of liss of pressure blew out side i recked into her"

ODI #11747310 • Powertrain & Transmission 06/29/2026

"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..."