ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago

2013 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Equinox problems

746 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 1 active recall campaign on file.

Reliability score

6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

Critical

Severe

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.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine

320 reports · fails ~97,601 mi · avg $3,100

moderate

visibility

145 reports · fails ~61,596 mi · avg $350

moderate

powertrain

77 reports · fails ~88,676 mi · avg $2,500

moderate

electrical

54 reports · fails ~41,883 mi · avg $850

severe

airbags

21 reports · fails ~57,968 mi · avg $1,100

severe

steering

19 reports · fails ~81,268 mi · avg $700

severe

cruise control

8 reports · fails ~51,611 mi · avg $600

moderate

suspension

7 reports · fails ~72,523 mi · avg $900

moderate

Buyer's checklist

Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.

Generated from this 2013 Equinox's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.

See the checklist ->

Honest Calculator

Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Equinox?

We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.

See the calculator ->

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…

12/31/2020 · at 134,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385747.0 · see engine pattern →

2013 Equinox · engine

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…

12/31/2020 · at 150,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385805.0 · see engine pattern →

2013 Equinox · powertrain

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…

12/31/2017 · at 177,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057752.0 · see powertrain pattern →

2013 Equinox · steering

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…

12/31/2016 · at 42,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10938943.0 · see steering pattern →

View all 746 owner complaints →

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.

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At 80,000 miles

Likely repair cost in next 24 months

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V582000 August 4, 2016

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 746 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'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 746 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 7 hours 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. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.

Chevrolet Equinox problems

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

Estimate your repair exposure

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles

Common questions

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