2013 Chevrolet EQUINOX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
750 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 513 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 412 of 750 complaints (54.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 90 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 45 | 6.0% |
| Braking behavior | 34 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 28 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 412 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 144 |
| Power Train | 79 |
| Electrical System | 67 |
| Unknown Or Other | 63 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 43 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 20 |
Engine: 412; Visibility/Wiper: 144; Power Train: 79; Electrical System: 67; Unknown Or Other: 63; Fuel/Propulsion System: 43; Air Bags: 25; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 64 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 55 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 111 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 113 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 137 |
| 150,000 and above | 33 |
Under 25,000: 64; 25,000 to 49,999: 55; 50,000 to 74,999: 111; 75,000 to 99,999: 113; 100,000 to 149,999: 137; 150,000 and above: 33
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (137). 237 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 87 |
| 2017 | 101 |
| 2018 | 95 |
| 2019 | 106 |
| 2020 | 80 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 50 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2012: 1; 2013: 14; 2014: 34; 2015: 21; 2016: 87; 2017: 101; 2018: 95; 2019: 106; 2020: 80; 2021: 66; 2022: 36; 2023: 50; 2024: 30; 2025: 21; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 90 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 45 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10667046 · 2014-12-18 (December 18, 2014)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ,STABILITYTRAC LIGHT ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE STALLED AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10745712 · 2015-08-03 (August 3, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW COOLANT LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10745712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588903 · 2014-05-16 (May 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588911 · 2014-05-16 (May 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525467 · 2013-07-17 (July 17, 2013)
CPSC#I1360158A. 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HER CAR REVERSED WHILE IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE, ONCE THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH,THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL ON A HILL. SHE MANAGED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN IN DRIVE AGAIN, AND ONCE SHE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD, WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALSO, WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEMS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10525467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526084 · 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOISE WAS THE RESULT OF MOISTURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH MORNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 550.
Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575009 · 2014-03-26 (March 26, 2014)
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN (GOING MAYBE 5 MPH) WHEN REAR ENDED BY A 1998 CHEVY LUMINA. HER HOOD AND FRONT WAS ALL DAMAGED AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED (OPENED)!! . I HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND EAR STARTED BLEEDING. ( IN A DAZE). MANY BRUISES AND HURT BACK AND NECK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577115 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561202 · 2014-01-23 (January 23, 2014)
THE LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 70MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME, I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE PUSH ME OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THE COLLISION SENOR GOES OFF WHEN THERE IS NOTHING AROUND THE CAR AND BOGGS DOWN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME THE WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10546790 · 2013-10-04 (October 4, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN REVERSE, A LOAD ROARING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN ANOTHER DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE HIGH VALVE FUEL PUMP ON THE ENGINE AND IN THE GAS TANK. THE CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958424 · 2017-03-03 (March 3, 2017)
DURING TRAFFIC IN A 25 MPH ZONE, I LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, AND MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. RPM'S JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED SMELLING FUEL IN MY OIL. THEY REPLACED THE HI PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FUEL IS STILL GETTING INTO MY OIL.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958424 at NHTSA ↗