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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-CHEVROLET-EQUINOXNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Equinox problems
The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has 747 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 1 active recall campaign.
The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has 747 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 320 complaints, typically surfacing around 97,601 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Equinox?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,000–70,000 mi
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Chevrolet Equinox SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Equinox? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 320 owner reports
· tends to show around 97,601 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
visibility — 145 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,596 mi · ~$350 to fix
powertrain — 78 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,676 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 54 owner reports
· tends to show around 41,883 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 41,883 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Equinox· engine
My family and I were driving on the highway and my engine stopped without any warning lights or notifications. We were able to safely coast from the left lane to the shoulder. We had the car towed to a nearby dealership. When they inspected my car they said there was no oil in…
I bought my 2013 Chevy equinox in july of 2019, about a month after buying it my husband checked the oil and the oil wasnt even on the dipstick. After that we kept an eye on it and every week we have to put at least a quart of oil in the vehicle. We have brought it to our shop…
I made an appointment 2013 equinox into the dealer because I was smelling strong exhaust smell in the cab. As soon as I talked to the mechanic he told me it was most likely a cracked exhaust manifold and that it is happening frequently in the equinox models. Then 2 days before…
When towing with rv the front wheels start a severe wobble which shakes the rear of the rv. This has occurred several times; several at hwy speed after going over a bump in the hwy. The only way to stop the wobble is to stop the vehicle; this is very dangerous when in traffic…
Had a problem with your 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles
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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 747 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,000–70,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 320 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 97,601 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 747 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 97,601 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 320 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 97,601 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 97,601 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Equinox has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 747 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Equinox.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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